Bridge Structures

QUESTION: (FALL2010) CSA Standard S6, Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code, requires that cross-frame connection plates be connected to the flanges of bridge girders. The bolted detail, as shown (in Figure 1), appears to be quite popular in rehabilitation work. I heard that this bolted detail qualifies for a “Category B“ fatigue detail, but it is not [...]

2017-10-03T15:17:18-04:00October 3rd, 2017|

Building Structures – General

QUESTION: (SPRING2012) When CSA G40.21 300W steel strip is specified as the material for light braces in a building structure, can commercial grade steel products be used instead? What if they are supplied with a test report showing yield stress values matching or exceeding 300 MPa? ANSWER: No. The reasons include: a) Commercial grade steel [...]

2017-10-03T15:20:29-04:00October 3rd, 2017|

Connections – Bolts & Bolting

QUESTION: (FALL2015) I recently came across some fully threaded A325 bolts in the connections of a building structure. Are these bolts permitted? Do they have the same resistances versus bolts with regular thread length? How are they identified after installation? Do they offer any benefit? ANSWER: A325 bolts threaded full length are permitted under Supplementary [...]

2017-10-03T15:27:53-04:00October 3rd, 2017|

                  – Column Bases & Anchor Rods

QUESTION: (SUMMER2014) I am involved with evaluation of an existing building structure for compliance with the current code. The structure is in a sound condition. It satisfies the building code and CSA S16-09 for the intended occupancy except that the column bases have 2 anchor rods instead of 4. In one area, a row of [...]

2017-10-03T15:23:57-04:00October 3rd, 2017|

                  – General

QUESTION: (2015) For a knife-edge beam shear connection with double-angle welded to the support (Figure 2), can the top edge of the angles also be welded in order to increase the weld capacity? ANSWER: Beam shear connections must exhibit sufficient end rotation to allow the attainment of bending capacity of the simply supported beam, etc. [...]

2017-10-03T15:28:52-04:00October 3rd, 2017|

                  – Welds & Welding

QUESTION: (2015) Clause 13.13.2.2 of S16-14 waives the base metal capacity requirement for fillet welds except where over-matched electrodes are used. This suggests that the rated strength of the over-matched electrode should be used to calculate the weld resistance but W59-13 requires that matching electrode strength to be used in this situation. What should I [...]

2017-10-03T15:24:45-04:00October 3rd, 2017|

Fabrication & Erection

QUESTION: (SUMMER2014) I am involved with evaluation of an existing building structure for compliance with the current code. The structure is in a sound condition. It satisfies the building code and CSA S16-09 for the intended occupancy except that the column bases have 2 anchor rods instead of 4. In one area, a row of [...]

2017-10-03T16:34:18-04:00October 3rd, 2017|

General – Brittle Fracture

QUESTION: (FALL2015) I am involved with the design of an unenclosed industrial structure for which neither the building code nor the bridge code applies. Should I specify notch-tough steel? Are notch-tough W-shapes available? How do I determine the appropriate level of notch-toughness? ANSWER: Brittle fracture is a complex subject. In order to limit the probability [...]

2017-10-03T16:39:37-04:00October 2nd, 2017|

            – Coatings & Corrosion Protection

QUESTION: (FALL2010) CISC/CPMA Standard 1-73a versus CISC/CPMA Standard 2-75: What do they have in common and what are the major differences? ANSWER: These standards provide essentially the same laboratory requirements. The provision for surface preparation reflects the key difference. In addition to removal of grease and oil in accordance with SSPC Standard SP1, CISC/CPMA 2-75 [...]

2017-10-03T15:32:54-04:00October 2nd, 2017|

            – Codes & Standards

QUESTION: (SUMMER2016) In National Building Code of Canada 2015, the period dependant Site Coefficient F(T), used for determination of seismic Design Spectral Accelerations, has replaced Site Coefficients Fa and Fv. CSA Standard S16-14, however, continues to reference Site Coefficients, Fa and Fv. Is S16-14 out of step with NBC 2015? ANSWER: CSA S16-14 is compatible [...]

2017-10-03T16:38:09-04:00October 2nd, 2017|
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