ACI 439.5R-18 Guide for the . Specification, Manufacture, and Construction Use of Welded Wire Reinforcement

ACI 439.5R-18 Guide for the . Specification, Manufacture, and Construction Use of Welded Wire Reinforcement. 1.3—W and D designations Individual wire (plain and deformed) size designations are based on the cross-sectional area of a given wire. Gauge numbers were used exclusively for many years but were eliminated in the 1 970s to reduce the confusion caused from misunderstanding the specified gauge size. The prefixes W and D are used in combination with a number. The letter W designates a plain wire, and the letter D denotes a deformed wire. The number following the letter gives the cross- sectional area in hundredths of a square inch (square millimeter). When describing metric wire, the prefix M is added; MW describes metric plain wire and MD metric deformed wire. The wire spacing in metric WWR is given in millimeters (mm) and the cross-sectional area of the wire is in square millimeters (mm2). For instance, wire designation W4 (MW26) would indicate a plain wire with a cross-sectional area of 0.04 in.2 (26 mm2) and a D10 (MD65) wire would indicate a deformed wire with a cross-sectional area of 0.10 in.2 (65 mm2). The size of wires in WWR is designated in the same manner. This system provides many advantages. Because the design professional knows the cross-sectional area of a wire and the spacing, the total cross-sectional area per unit width can easily be deteniiined. For instance, a D6 (MD39) wire on 4 in. (102 mm) centers would provide three wires per 1 ft (305 mm) with a total cross-sectional area of 0.18 in.2/ft (381 mm2/rn). Many common wire sizes were developed to reduce peak- season lead times and aid in overall plant efficiency. The most readily available wire sizes along with the nominal diameter, area, and weight per unit length are shown in Table I .3a (plain wire) and Table 1 .3b (deformed wire). Plain wire is smooth cold-worked wire from a hot-rolled steel rod into the size or sizes needed for processing into welded sheets. Deformed wire can be indented or raised ribbed cold-worked wire from a hot-rolled rod into the size or sizes needed for processing into welded sheets. Plain wire can often be combined in a sheet style with deformed wire, especially where main reinforcement may be required in only one direction. Some machines can also produce sheets with variable line wire, crosswire sizes, or both. Check with local manufacturer for...