Strengthening an Existing Girder
Strengthening an Existing Girder
(OP)
I have a situation where I would like to strengthen an existing girder, simple span. I want to add a cover plate to the bottom flange and fasten it to the flange by intermittent fillet welds. Any concerns with this?





RE: Strengthening an Existing Girder
RE: Strengthening an Existing Girder
Were you planning to add the plate to the bottom of the bottom flange or the top of the bottom flange? Why not bolt a cover plate to the bottom of the bottom flange? It's faster and much cheaper than doing an overhead weld.
If you're going to weld two plates on top of the flange it could get a little tight on the side adjacent to the web.
RE: Strengthening an Existing Girder
RE: Strengthening an Existing Girder
RE: Strengthening an Existing Girder
Also from a corrosion POV, for a bolted cover plate I would be sure to finish all drilling/cutting operations, round sharp edges, degrease, prime everything but the bolts with a good epoxy zinc primer, then assemble with galvanized bolts.
Touch up the primer and finish applying your paint system after the bolting.
RE: Strengthening an Existing Girder
RE: Strengthening an Existing Girder
Lucky for you, there has been discussion of repurposed flatcar bridges; use the 'search' button and read a bit.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Strengthening an Existing Girder
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