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Publication Number:  FHWA-HRT-17-042    Date:  November 2017
Publication Number: FHWA-HRT-17-042
Date: November 2017

 

Behavior of a Steel Girder Bolted Splice Connection

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FOREWORD

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.

Technical Report Documentation Page
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
Bridge and Foundation Engineering Team
Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center
6300 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA 22101-2296

10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS)

11. Contract or Grant No.
12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address

Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Federal Highway Administration
6300 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA 22101-2296

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.
http://www.ntis.gov

19. Security Classification
(of this report)

Unclassified

20. Security Classification
(of this page)

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

Table of Contents

List of Figures

List of Tables

List of Abbreviations

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
Federal Highway Administration | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000
Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center | 6300 Georgetown Pike | McLean, VA | 22101