Column Splices 1

[jike]

For columns that are milled to bear or square cut to meet ANSI roughness height value of 500, I am seeing a significant gap (1/16") in one of the lower story splices. Does anyone have a reference as to how many mils is equivalent to a roughness of 500?

How much gap is acceptable, if any?

I suspect that the lower story column may not have been perfectly plumb and so the upper shaft may have been pulled over slightly and thus we see a gap. What happens as the weight of additional stories is placed above?

Is this something to be concerned about? These gaps must be quite common in multi-story construction, otherwise, how can an erector plumb the building.

 

[SlideRuleEra]

In AISC Manual of Steel Construction, 9th Ed. ASD, page 5-90, Paragraph M4.4 "Fit of Column Compression Joints" says:

"Lack of contact bearing not exceeding a gap of 1/16 inch, regardless of the type of connection used (partial-penetration, groove-welded or bolted), shall be acceptable."

The paragraph goes on to say that gaps up to 1/4 inch can be shimmed.

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

 

[jike]

Thanks, SlideRuleEra! That was exactly what I was looking for.

Regards!