I’m looking for some information on dealing with the reduction in capacity of a welded steel girder, due to damage on the tension flange within the middle third of the span. The bridge girder is a fracture critical member (2 girder system) with a 15 m simple span. The bottom flange 19X300 mm has been bent from construction impact and has caused the edge of the flange to deflect approx 10 mm. What is the tolerance for this type of damage? Is there a resistance reduction factor that should applied a this point?
Also, the damage did not produce any fracture in the flange of at the web/flange connection.
Also, the damage did not produce any fracture in the flange of at the web/flange connection.