Web splice on only one side of the web 1

[canwesteng]

I'd like to detail a splice with the web plate on only one side, bolted to one end of the beam and welded to the other. I can't find any guidance on why it isn't permitted, but also can't find any examples of it being done. On the one hand, we use shear tabs and single angle shear connectors, so it seems like it should be no consequence. It's also certainly marginally more labour to use only one plate, since you have double the number of bolts. The only thing I can think of is additional torsional stress in the splice plate, which should be fairly small (maybe negligible?).

 

[BridgeSmith]

It's also certainly marginally more labour to use only one plate, since you have double the number of bolts.

It's also about twice the plate material, since the one plate will need to be twice as thick (equal to the thickness of the 2 plates), but about twice as long. Twice as many bolts, twice as much drilling (number x depth). If it was bolted on both sides of the splice, it would be twice as much labor and double the amount of material and hardware. With it welded on one side, that cuts the labor some, and probably the amount of material.

As long as you have adequate fatigue capacity, it wouldn't seem that there's anything that precludes that type of connection. You'll have welds loaded transverse and longitudinal to the direction of stress, so the fatigue stress limit is much lower than for a bolted connection.

Rod Smith, P.E., The artist formerly known as HotRod10

 

[dik]

For small loads, it's done all the time. Think of a single fin shear connector plate to a beam or column.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Do you feel any better?

-Dik

 

[Tomfh]

Not a problem for modest loads. We do it sometimes when architect doesn’t want to see a plate on the outside.

 

[dik]

1

Generally bearing doesn't govern the connection.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Do you feel any better?

-Dik

 

[human909]

Generally bearing doesn't govern the connection.

Exactly.

It might be different in the bridge world and BridgeSmith's comments make complete sense but in the world of beams that aren't almost as tall as a person (or taller), you generally don't need more bolts or even thicker plates. But as scales change efficiency of designs changes and you start to look for the benefits of bolts in double shear etc...

 

[BridgeSmith]

Generally bearing doesn't govern the connection.

I was thinking of vertical shear on the plate would be the most likely controlling mode, but regardless, I presumed that even for smaller beams, the plate would be sized based on the loading and the capacity required, whether that's provides by 2 thinner plates or one thicker one.

Rod Smith, P.E., The artist formerly known as HotRod10