Rebar is typically tied together using wire rather than welded due to several practical and structural reasons:
Flexibility and Adjustability: During construction, rebar often needs to be adjusted or repositioned to accommodate changes in design or to fit around existing structures. Tying rebar with wire allows for easy adjustments and modifications without the need for cutting and welding.
Construction Site Conditions: Construction sites can be challenging environments with varying weather conditions and limited space. Tying rebar with wire is quicker and can be done using simple tools, making it more adaptable to on-site conditions compared to welding, which requires more setup and control.
Structural Integrity: Welding rebar can introduce heat-affected zones and potential weaknesses in the material around the weld points. This can compromise the rebar's ability to provide the necessary structural reinforcement and durability over time.
Cost-effectiveness: Tying rebar with wire is generally more cost-effective than welding. It requires fewer specialized skills and equipment, reducing labor costs and equipment expenses associated with welding.
Code and Standards Compliance: Many construction codes and standards specify the use of tied rebar rather than welded rebar due to concerns over weld quality, potential brittleness in welded joints, and the overall reliability of welded connections in concrete structures.
Construction Speed: Tying rebar with wire is often faster than welding, especially for large-scale projects where numerous connections need to be made quickly to keep the construction schedule on track.
