SIST-TP CEN/TR 15481:2007

Welding of reinforcing steel - Tack weldability - Test methods and performance requirements

This Technical Report presents a method to verify the  tack weldability of reinforcing steel. The purpose is to ensure that sufficient strength and ductility will remain in the welded material when short welding times are applied. This Technical Report does not cover the welded joint itself.

Schweißen von Betonstahl - Heftschweißeignung - Prüfverfahren und Anforderungen bei der Durchführung der Prüfung

Soudage des aciers pour armature - Soudabilité au pointage - Méthodes d'essai et exigences de performances

Le présent Rapport technique présente une méthode permettant de vérifier la soudabilité au pointage des aciers pour armature. Le but est de s'assurer que le matériau présente encore une résistance et une ductilité suffisantes après avoir été soudé avec un temps de soudage court. Le présent Rapport technique ne couvre pas le joint soudé proprement dit.

Varjenje betonskega jekla – Varivost spenjalnih varkov – Preskusne metode in zahteve za izvedbo

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2007
• ICS: 25.160.10 - Welding processes
• Technical Committee: VAR - Welding
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 01-Apr-2007
• Due Date: 01-Apr-2007
• Completion Date: 01-Apr-2007
• Ref Project: CEN/TR 15481:2006 - Welding of reinforcing steel - Tack weldability - Test methods and performance requirements

Relations

• Refers: SIST EN ISO 15630-1:2019 - Steel for the reinforcement and prestressing of concrete - Test methods - Part 1: Reinforcing bars, rods and wire (ISO 15630-1:2019)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: SIST EN ISO 4063:2023 - Welding, brazing, soldering and cutting - Nomenclature of processes and reference numbers (ISO 4063:2023)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026

Overview

SIST-TP CEN/TR 15481:2007 is a Technical Report published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) that specifies test methods and performance requirements for the tack weldability of reinforcing steel. Tack welding is an essential process in the assembly and positioning of reinforcing bars prior to final welding or concrete pouring. The standard aims to verify that the reinforcing steel maintains sufficient mechanical properties, including strength and ductility, after tack welding with short durations. Notably, this standard focuses on the properties of the welded material itself rather than the final welded joint.

By standardizing testing methods and performance criteria, SIST-TP CEN/TR 15481:2007 enables manufacturers, construction professionals, and testing laboratories to ensure the quality and safety of tack-welded reinforcing steel used in construction projects.

Key Topics

• Tack Weldability Test Procedure

  • Details on test piece preparation, including welding processes and bar sizes.
  • Specifies test parameters such as weld spacing, voltages, and wire types in accordance with European standards.

• Required Testing Methods

  • Mechanical testing includes tensile tests and bend tests to evaluate the post-weld strength and ductility.
  • Reference to standardized test methods (e.g., EN ISO 15630-1).

• Performance Criteria

  • Yield strength, tensile strength, and elongation must comply with relevant product specifications for the steel grade.
  • Mandrel diameters and minimum bending angles for bend tests are defined to ensure consistent evaluation.

• Validation and Identification

  • Sets out rules for sample sizes, batch validation, and the identification of compliant reinforcing steels.
  • Provides guidelines for the repeatability and validity of test results, ensuring continuous quality assurance.

Applications

SIST-TP CEN/TR 15481:2007 is widely relevant in civil engineering and construction sectors where reinforced concrete structures are prevalent. Practical applications include:

• Quality Assurance of Reinforcing Steel

  • Enables steel producers and certification laboratories to verify that products are suitable for tack welding without compromising mechanical properties.

• Structural Safety and Compliance

  • Assists construction firms in selecting reinforcing bars that meet stringent safety requirements, reducing risks associated with weld integrity and steel ductility in critical infrastructure projects.

• Design and Specification

  • Provides engineers and specifiers with standardized methods to assess and specify tack weldable reinforcing steels, fostering compatibility and performance predictability.

• On-site Welding Procedures

  • Serves as a reference for welding contractors to adopt testing and validation methods that align with European best practices, facilitating smoother inspection and acceptance processes.

Related Standards

SIST-TP CEN/TR 15481:2007 references and operates in conjunction with several related standards, ensuring a comprehensive approach to tack welding of reinforcing steel:

• EN ISO 4063 - Welding and allied processes - Nomenclature of processes and reference numbers
• EN ISO 15630-1 - Steel for the reinforcement and prestressing of concrete - Test methods - Part 1: Reinforcing bars, wire rod, and wire
• EN 440 - Welding consumables - Wire electrodes and deposits for gas-shielded metal arc welding of non-alloy and fine grain steels
• EN 439 - Welding consumables - Shielding gases for arc welding and cutting

These related documents provide further technical groundwork and harmonization for welding processes, consumables, and mechanical testing, supporting consistent quality management across the reinforcing steel supply chain.

In summary, adoption of SIST-TP CEN/TR 15481:2007 helps ensure the structural reliability and safety of reinforced concrete by providing rigorous criteria for the tack weldability of reinforcing steel, supporting both manufacturers and end-users in meeting international standards of construction safety and quality.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-april-2007
Varjenje betonskega jekla – Varivost spenjalnih varkov – Preskusne metode in
zahteve za izvedbo
Welding of reinforcing steel - Tack weldability - Test methods and performance
requirements
Schweißen von Betonstahl - Heftschweißeignung - Prüfverfahren und Anforderungen bei
der Durchführung der Prüfung
Soudage des aciers pour armature - Soudabilité au pointage - Méthodes d'essai et
exigences de performances
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TR 15481:2006
ICS:
25.160.10 Varilni postopki in varjenje Welding processes
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

TECHNICAL REPORT
CEN/TR 15481
RAPPORT TECHNIQUE
TECHNISCHER BERICHT
December 2006
ICS 25.160.01
English Version
Welding of reinforcing steel - Tack weldability - Test methods
and performance requirements
Soudage des aciers pour armature - Soudabilité au Schweißen von Betonstahl - Heftschweißeignung -
frointage - Méthodes d'essai et exigences de performances Prüfverfahren und Anforderungen bei der Durchführung der
Prüfung
This Technical Report was approved by CEN on 27 July 2006. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 121.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36  B-1050 Brussels
© 2006 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN/TR 15481:2006: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
Foreword.3
1 Scope .4
2 Normative references .4
3 Chemical composition .4
4 Welding processes .4
5 Test piece .4
6 Testing and performance requirements.5
7 Extent of testing.6
8 Evaluation of test results .7
9 Identification.7
Bibliography .8

Foreword
This document (CEN/TR 15481:2006) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 121 “Welding”,
the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
1 Scope
This Technical Report presents a method to verify the tack weldability of reinforcing steel. The purpose is to
ensure that sufficient strength and ductility will remain in the welded material when short welding times are
applied. This Technical Report does not cover the welded joint itself.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
EN ISO 4063, Welding and allied processes - Nomenclature of processes and reference numbers (ISO
4063:1998)
EN ISO 15630-1, Steel for the reinforcement and prestressing of concrete — Test methods — Part 1:
Reinforcing bars, wire rod and wire (ISO 15630-1:2002)
3 Chemical composition
The restrictions to the chemical composition should be in accordance with the relevant standard for the
weldable reinforcing steel concerned.
4 Welding processes
The tack weldability test is carried out by welding process 135 (see EN ISO 4063). Tack weldability is also
considered verified for the welding processes 111, 114, 136, 21 and 23 down to 0 °C.
5 Test piece
The test piece is made by welding a straight row of tacks in accordance with Table 1 and Figure 1 on straight
pieces of the reinforcing steel bar with a length suitable for tensile and bending t
...