Moment Connection Reinforcement

[hdp321]

long story short. The fabricator messed up and installed bolted moment connection plates that are too thin. What methods are available to reinforce the plates and welded connections to the column?

 

[DaveAtkins]

Stiffener plates where necessary...it is difficult to be more precise without seeing a detail.

 

[jayrod12]

I feel like the only option is to remove and replace the plates.

 

[hdp321]

Here is a similar detail to what has been provided. The top and bottom moment plates are too thin.

If there is a way to add additional cover plates to increase the capacity I'd like to at least explore the option. If not, they'll need to replace the plates.

 

[JAE]

What's the seismic design category? That could make a big difference in what you can and cannot do.

I'd agree with jayrod12 - replace the plates.

 

[hdp321]

SDC B

 

[KootK]

You could do something similar to the detail below if that would be permissible spatially and te bolts would work in the existing plates.

 

[KootK]

If there is a way to add additional cover plates to increase the capacity I'd like to at least explore the option

You could add cover plates. That would be fairly simple if those plates could fit between your existing bolts. If not, you might have to remove the bolts prior to adding the cover plates and appropriately weld the existing plates to the beam flanges.

Welding the low cover plate to the column is going to be yucky with that being an overhead weld and all. If there's space, perhaps you could use a pair of flange plates on top of the low flange rather than below the existing plate.