Chapter 11

Flange splice
Introduction
In shop, flanges shall be joined by complete penetration
but welds, where possible. These welds shall develop the
full strength of the plates. The flange plate can be obtained
in length up to 15 m and thus in plate girder over 15 m
span we have to arrange field splice at which the web plate
and the flange plates are cut.
Flange joints should not be preferably located at points of
maximum stresses. Where splice plates are used, their area
shall be not less than 5 % in excess of the flange plate.
There shall be enough bolts on each side of the splice to
develop the maximum strength of the flange plate.
One splice plate covers the joint of the flange or splice
plates on both sides of the flange plate may be used. For
example if we have flange plate 32020 mm we can use one
splice plate 320(20 – 22) mm.
-   Net area of flange plate = (32 - 42.4) 2 = 44.80 cm2.
-         Number of bolts (for one side), (single shear field
bolts, M22, Q8.8) = n
44.80   t
n=  1.15
R s.s
qb = 0.25 Fub = 0.258 = 2 t/cm2

Rs. sh = qb As n = 23.031= 6.06 t (n = No. of shear

planes)
y = 3.6 t/cm2 (St 52)
44.80   0.58  3.6 
n= 1.15  17.75 bolts
6.06

Use 20 bolts (45)

Or we can use One splice plate 32012 mm from the
outside and two splice plate 12012 mm from the inside
of the flange plate
-         Net area of splice plates
-         = (321.2 + 2121.2) 2 -
221.22.4
= 67.20 – 11.52 = 55.68 cm2.
-         Number of bolts (double shear or
bearing field bolts, M22, Q8.8) = n
n= 44.8   t
 1.15
R d.s or R d.s
qb = 0.25 Fub = 0.258 = 2 t/cm2

Rd. sh = qb As n = 223.031= 12.12 t (n = No. of shear

planes)
Rb = Fb  d  min t

Fb =   Fub

 depends on end distance (S), (Table 6.2)

 End distance in direction of force
 

3d 
2.5d 
2 d 
1.5d 

 1.2 1.0 0.8 0.6

Edge distance = 2.5    = 1.0

 Fb = 1.0 Fub = 8.00 t/ cm2

Rb = 8.0  2.2  2.0 = 35 t Back

y = 3.6 t/cm2 (St 52)

44.80   0.58  3.6

n= 1.15  8.9 bolts
12.12

Use 10 bolts (25)