Plasma cutting lifting holes in structural steel: code? 1

[jg0801]

Is there a section of the ASW, AISC, ASME, etc. code that deals with the cutting of lifting eyes in structural steel?

We make steel buildings, and typically the lifting is done via a part that is built up from 1/4" plate (welded) and bolted to the structure. Normally the hole for the hook is punched, but our fab dept. wants to plasma cut it.

The design engineers (not PE's) say, "industry practice doesn't allow a thermal process to cut that hole." The manufacturing manager (not a PE but a VERY competent engineer) says, "show a me code". The design guys have thus far declined to quote chapter and verse.

I'm trying to interject some objectivity into the discussion.

 

[JAE]

If you look in AISC's "Specification for Structural Joints Using ASTM A325 or A490 Bolts", (RCSC Committee 15) Section 3.3, the following is stated:

[red]"Thermally cut bolt holes shall be permitted if approved by the Engineer of Record. For statically loaded joints, thermally cut surfaces need not be ground. For cyclically loaded joints, thermally cut surfaaces shall be ground smooth."[/red]

 

[jg0801]

Thank you!!

 

[Slowzuki]

BTW the heat affected zone from a plasma cutter is tiny compared to that of an oxy-act. torch.