Statistical Evaluation of the Mechanical Properties of Welded and Unwelded ASTM A706 Reinforcing Steel Bars of Different Commercial Brands

The future of reinforcing steel bars (rebar) is being shaped by technological advancements, sustainability initiatives, and evolving construction practices. Welding of rebar has a significant and evolving influence on construction practices, particularly with trends emphasizing speed, precision, and prefabrication. On the other hand, the variability in mechanical response depends not only on the chemical composition but also on the manufacturing and welding process. This study analyzed five commercial brands of ASTM A706 reinforcing steel rods available in the Ecuadorian market with different diameters (12, 14, 16, and 18 mm) subjected to tensile and bending tests. A total of 228 specimens were analyzed, and 114 samples were welded by shielded metal arc welding process using an E8018-C3 electrode, preparing the joint with a simple V-bevel at 45°. The tensile tests results allow for a comparison between the welded and unwelded steel bars, where it is identified that the welding process generates a slight decrease in the mechanical properties and increases the variability in the results, although it is emphasized that these variations do not affect compliance with the standards, since all the samples meet the mechanical strength requirements by being within the limits established by the ASTM A706/A706M standard.