Rules of Thumb Flange Area

Mu/f
bf Af
C
M Aw
Af
d h Aw
fh 6
Average
T stress on Sx / h
flange
Rules of Thumb Plate dimensions
Plate widths
2 increments
Stiffener spacing
3 multiples
Rules of Thumb Plate thickness

Increments Range
(inches) (inches)
1/16 t 9/16

1/8 5/8 t 1-1/2

1/4 t > 1-1/2

Rules of Thumb Flange Plates, p. 1
Based on minimum volume (weight) and Af
equation used earlier

L/2
Mmax

Groove weld Af 1 1

Af 2

Af1 Af
Rules of Thumb Flange Plates, p.2

Mmax
L/3 Af 1 5
L
Af 9
Groove weld

Unless save 200 300 lbs of

material, added cost of weld
makes flange plate
transition uneconomical
Af1 Af (Salmon et al., Steel Structures, 5th ed.)
Other flange plate recommendations
If concerned about LTB, keep bf /2tf at
about the lp value in maximum moment
regions
Could then reduce flange thickness in low
moment regions (reduce thickness instead of
width)
No LTB? Reduce width if desired
slight advantage in fatigue strength
Transition slope should be less than 1 in 2-1/2
for either width or thickness change
1 in 4 to 1 in 12 recommended for change in
width
2013 NASCC Educator Session: Bridge Design for the Classroom
media.aisc.org/NASCC2013/ES1.mp4
Weld of flange to web
Must provide for factored
horizontal shear flow

X X 1st moment
Vu Q of area
shear flow of flange
Ix about
neutral axis
(kips/in)
Weld of flange to web, p.2
DOTs typically require SAW
for these welds
more thermally efficient
More uniform weld cross section
and strength
X X
no stops/starts and other
irregularities that concentrate
stress
SMAW uses stick electrodes of
limited length and diameter