Plate Splices

[holdpt]

We are fabricating to D1.1 but this may also fall under AISC as well.
I have not found in either where there is a specification stating that plate splices must be staggered. In other words, you must avoid forming a "cross-hair" with splices.
Can anyone substantiate my findings, or lack thereof, in D1.1 and AISC?

The GM and other "old schoolers" insist that there must be a 5X thickness worth of stagger for seams. It creates a little more difficulty in rolling when this is done also.

 

[gtaw]

What?

Best regards - Al

 

[holdpt]

Ex. You have 2 rectangular plates spliced length-wise. You roll the length creating another splice. You now have a horizontal and vertical splice that will create a "cross-hair". Is this an issue?
Someone has come up with a 5X the thickness rule so that you end up with 2 "T" intersections instead of a "cross" intersection.