U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-4000
Federal Highway Administration Research and Technology
Coordinating, Developing, and Delivering Highway Transportation Innovations
| REPORT |
| This report is an archived publication and may contain dated technical, contact, and link information |
 |
| Publication Number: FHWA-HRT-17-042 Date: November 2017 |
Publication Number: FHWA-HRT-17-042 Date: November 2017 |
PDF Version (7.09 MB)
PDF files can be viewed with the Acrobat® Reader®
This report documents the finite element modeling of a bolted steel girder field splice connection designed using the traditional method and using a new method that makes conservative assumptions resulting in a simpler, streamlined procedure. The results of the analysis demonstrated the efficacy of the new design procedure, which resulted in fewer bolts compared to the traditional design approach, making the connection more economical. The results of this work would benefit those interested in behavior of bolted connections used for the construction of steel bridges, including State transportation departments, researchers, and design consultants.
Cheryl Allen Richter, Ph.D., P.E.
Director, Office of Infrastructure
Research and Development
Notice
This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for the use of the information contained in this document.
The U.S. Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trademarks or manufacturers’ names appear in this report only because they are considered essential to the objective of the document.
Quality Assurance Statement
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) provides high-quality information to serve Government, industry, and the public in a manner that promotes public understanding. Standards and policies are used to ensure and maximize the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of its information. FHWA periodically reviews quality issues and adjusts its programs and processes to ensure continuous quality improvement.
| 1. Report No.
FHWA-HRT-17-042 |
2. Government Accession No. | 3. Recipient’s Catalog No. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4. Title and Subtitle
Behavior of a Steel Girder Bolted Splice Connection |
5. Report Date November 2017 |
|||
| 6. Performing Organization Code | ||||
| 7. Author(s)
Justin M. Ocel, Ph.D. P.E. |
8. Performing Organization Report No. |
|||
9. Performing Organization Name and Address Federal Highway Administration |
10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS) |
|||
| 11. Contract or Grant No. | ||||
| 12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address
Office of Infrastructure Research and Development |
13. Type of Report and Period Covered
Final Report; December 2015-May 2016 |
|||
14. Sponsoring Agency Code HRDI-40 |
||||
| 15. Supplementary Notes
This was a staff study; no funds were expended performing this effort. Justin Ocel (HRDI-40) performed the finite element analysis and wrote the report. |
||||
| 16. Abstract
This report documents the finite element analysis of a bolted field splice connection from a hypothetical three-span continuous bridge with back spans 234 ft long, and a 300-ft center span. The connection was designed using a traditional approach and then by using a new simplified method that required fewer bolts for the web splice component. The results of the analysis demonstrated the efficacy of the new design method in that it did not result in overstressing of the girder or bolts at the strength limit state. In part because of this work, the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials voted in June 2016 to adopt a new design method for the design of bolted connections for steel bridges. |
||||
| 17. Key Words
Steel bridges, Bolted connection, Modeling, Finite element analysis |
18. Distribution Statement
No restrictions. This document is available through the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161. |
|||
19. Security Classification Unclassified |
20. Security Classification Unclassified |
21. No. of Pages 86 |
22. Price
N/A |
|
| Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) | Reproduction of completed page authorized | |||
SI* (Modern Metric) Conversion Factors
| AASHTO | American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials |
|---|---|
| FHWA | Federal Highway Administration |
| LRFD | load and resistance factor design |
| MPC | multi-point constraint |
| NSBA | National Steel Bridge Alliance |
| PEEQ | plastic strain equivalent |
| SCOBS | Subcommittee on Bridges and Structures |
| SRSS | square root sum of the squares |
