Mislocated Holes in Flanges and/or Flange Splice Plates

Flanges:

1) Too close to end of flange (AASHTO Div 1,10.24.7.1).

Remember that there is minimal stress in flange at this point.

Consider planing end of flange for small error, or if too close,

do not consider in capacity, so additional bolts required to compensate,

lengthening splice plate if necessary.

May place bolt in errant hole to maintain sealing pitch,

exclude debris, and avoid confusion on future inspections.

2) Too close to edge of flange.

This is worst situation and must be considered on a case-by-case basis.

If only slightly deficient, may satisfy AASHTO by planing edge to remove burn gouges,

hardened material, minor defects.

If less than 1 bolt diameter between edge of hole and edge of flange,

install bolts but lengthen splice to add commensurate number of extra bolts.

If hole breaks edge (or edge is under contact area of washer),

may need to add enough bolts to fully develop the splice before it reaches that location,

and may need to use wider splice plates to allow bolts in errant holes

while satisfying criteria for high strength installation (distribution of clamping force).

Flange Splice Plates:

1. Too close to end of splice plate.

For small error, may be able to plane (grind smooth) end of splice plate.

For larger error, need to lengthen splice.

2. Too close to edge of flange and splice plate.

This is worst situation and must be considered on a case-by-case basis.

If only slightly deficient, may satisfy AASHTO by "planing" edge to remove burn gouges,

hardened material, minor defects.

If less than 1 bolt diameter between edge of hole and edge of flange,

install bolts but lengthen splice to add commensurate number of extra bolts.

If hole breaks edge (or edge is under contact area of washer),

may need to add enough bolts to fully develop the splice

before it reaches that location,

and may need to use wider splice plates to allow bolts in errant holes

while satisfying criteria for high strength installation (distribution of clamping force).

3. Too close to edge of inside splice plate.

May be able to plane edge of splice plate for small error, or widen inside splice plate

if clearance permits. If necessary, lengthen splice and ignore this bolt.

4. Bolt too close to end of flange.

Remember that minimal stress in flange at this point.

Consider planing end of flange for small error, or if too close,

lengthen splice and add bolts.

If outside splice plates only, may be able to change from straight

line to staggered pattern to add bolt within same splice length.

Help