A.Work Drawings. Submit work drawings for the fabrication and erection of steel. Show dimensions and sizes of materials for fabrication, bolt lists for field erection, a match-marking diagram, and a complete field erection plan. The Engineer’s review applies only to the requirements for strength, details and arrangements of parts and details. 278 B. Shop Inspection. Ensure shop inspection personnel are qualified as specified in the latest AASHTO/AWS D 1.5 Bridge Welding Code. The D epartment will not accept welded plate girders without a Department shop inspection. Provide the Engineer at least three weeks notice before beginning fabrication. Furnish facilities for the inspection, allow the Inspector access to all areas, and furnish the inspector at least two 4 inch by 18 inch samples of each grade and brand of structural steel.
C.Fabrication.
1.General. Fabricate as specified in the latest AASHTO/AWS D 1.5 Bridge Welding Code except as modified by this Specification. For structures that carry railroad traffic, fabricate the structural steel as specified by AREMA Specifications.
2.Structural Steel. Position shear connectors on splice plates to clear the bolt holes. The Engineer will allow shop-welded connections of diaphragm angles to gusset plates in place of the bolted connections. On the shop drawings, indicate which connection method will be used. Do not attach any devices that are not shown on the Plans to the structural steel members during the fabrication and construction process without written permission from the Department’s Bridge Engineer.
3.Blast Cleaning of Weathering Steel. After fabrication for weathering applications, blast clean the exterior faces of outside beams or girders, including stiffeners, flanges, and other steel readily exposed to view as specified in the Steel Structures Painting Council Surface Preparation Specification “No. 6 Commercial Blast Cleaning”, (SSPC -SP 6). Do not use a corrosion inhibitor.
4.Painting.
a.General. Shop apply the paint system to all structural steel surfaces except, intermediate and finish coats on splice and filler plates may be field applied. Spray apply coatings according to the manufacturer's instructions. Apply the coating with a brush on surfaces i naccessible to spray.
1.Submittals. Submit the manufacturer’s written recommendations for equipment, spray pressures, shelf life, pot life, cure time and top coat window. Apply coatings in a uniform, even coat and work into all corners and crevices. Submit quality control records that incl ude the following for each coating layer: - Date and Time of Application; - Ambient Air Temperature; 279 - Humidity; - Dew Point; - Surface Profile Measurements; and - DFT Readings.
2.Application. Apply each coating layer so its Dry Film Thickness (DFT) is in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions when measured according to SSPC PA -2. Re-blast, clean, and recoat any surfaces that have a coating thickness outside of the manufacturer's specified range.
3.Mixing and Thinning Paint. Thoroughly mix all paint system components so the pigment is completely in suspension and the consistency is uniform. Strain the zinc primer over a sieve having openings no larger than a No. 50 sieve and continuously agitate until application is completed. Thinners may be us ed if they are part of the paint manufacturer’s instructions. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the quantity and type of thinner used.
1.Surface Preparation. Remove oil and grease from surfaces to be painted before blast cleaning. Remove the oil or grease by solvent cleaning according to SSPC SP -1. Blast clean surfaces to be painted to a near white finish according to SSPC SP -
10.Produce a surface profile depth that is consistent with the paint manufacturer's recommendations. Remove blast residue from the steel surfaces before painting. Keep the steel dry. Apply prime to surfaces within 24 hours after blasting and cleaning.
2.Paint System Application. The paint system is composed of 3 layers; primer, inter mediate coat, and finish coat. Mask contact or faying surfaces of bolted field splices of the main members, shear connectors, and the upper surface of the top flanges during the intermediate and finish coat application. Do not apply subsequent layers of the paint system until the Engineer has approved the previous application.
3.Handling, Shipping, and Erection. If the coating system is damaged prior to shipment, repair the damaged coating using the same process that was used to apply the coating initially. Load the steel for shipment after the Engineer has approved the finish coat. 280 If damage to the coating system occurs during transport or erection, repair damaged areas as specified in Section 616.04 C.4.c, “Field Application” .
1.General. Do not allow paint or paint materials to come in contact with surfaces not intended to be painted. Provide a means to protect traffic from spattering of paint or paint materials. Prevent deleterious material from adhering to freshly painted surfaces.
2.Surface Preparation. Remove areas of damaged coating down to bare metal. Remove all rust and loose paint. Feather edges of cleaned repair areas to ensure a bond of new paint to old paint and to provide a smooth finish.
3.Paint System Application. Apply paint only when environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and dew point, are within the manufacturer's recommended range.
D.Shop Welding. Perform shop welding as specified in the latest AASHTO/AWS D1.5 Bridge Welding Code. Do not use the electroslag and electrogas welding processes for welding bridge members. Perform flange-to-web welds and shop welded splices in flanges or webs using the automatic submerged arc and welding process.
1.Built -up Plate Girders. Cut web plates of built up beams and girders to the prescribed camber with allowance for shrinkage due to cutting and welding. Make shop butt welds in the flange plates before final fitting and welding into the girders.
2.Nondestructive Testing. Perform nondestructive testing (NDT) on welds as specified in AASHTO/AWS D 1.5 Bridge Welding Code and the following: − Perform the NDT under the observation of the Engineer. Testers sha ll be certified by the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) at Level II or higher and shall have at least two years of experience at that level. − Submit a written report of all NDT to the Engineer along with material certification documenting compliance of the welds with contract requirements.
a.Radiographic and Ultrasonic Inspection. Test groove welds in main members of built up girder structures by radiographic or ultrasonic inspection as follows: − Completely inspect tension splices and splices subject to reversals of stress; − Test 1/6 of the web depth beginning at the point or points of maximum tension and 25 percent of the remainder of the web depth on girder and beam web splices; and − Test all compr ession flange splices. Test welds after grinding and retest repaired welds.
b.Magnetic Particle Inspection. Use the magnetic particle inspection method to test longitudinal beam or girder web butt splices and fillet welds in main members, including the end connections, as follows: − Test at random locations in the members so as to be typical for each size of weld and type of joint; − Test 1 foot of every 10 foot length of weld; and − Test 1 foot of each weld less than 10 feet in length. If defects are found in a test area, repair the full length of the weld or 5 feet on either side of the test length, whichever is less. Retest the repaired area plus at least 2 inches on each side of the repaired area.
E.Handling, Marking, Shipping, and St oring Materials. Mark each member with an erection mark for identification, and furnish an erection diagram showing the erection marks. Pack bolts of one length and diameter, and loose nuts and washers of each size separately. Ship pins, small parts, smal l packages of bolts, washers, and nuts in suitable containers with a list and description of the material plainly marked on the outside of each container. Load, transport, unload, and store structural material without stressing, deforming, or damaging the structural members and so the metal is kept clean. Handle long steel members by placing saddles at approximately the quarter points and during storing and shipping placing blocking at intervals that prevent sag and distortion. Store, ship and handle rolled beams and built-up plate girders in a vertical position. Keep stored materials properly drained. Store steel above ground on platforms, skids or other supports. Support girders, beams, and long members such as columns and chords to prevent damage from deflection. Handle girder sections with beam clamps or other approved devices and do not use wire rope slings. Keep AASHTO M 270 Grade 50W steel clean and free of materials that may affect the metal’s natural oxidation. Place match marks for G rade 50W steel on the top flange and remove the match marks as soon as they are no longer necessary. Provide temporary protection during concrete operations and all operations that can affect uniform natural oxidation.
F.Falsework, Methods, and Equipment. Submit falsework plans to the Engineer. If changes in an existing structure are necessary for maintaining traffic, submit plans to the Engineer for review.
G.Assembling Steel. Do not assemble steel on structure until previously placed concrete is at l east 14 days old or has reached 70 percent design strength Before assembly, clean bearing surfaces and surfaces that will be in permanent contact. 282 Assemble parts using the match marks. Bring splice points in beam or girder spans to proper elevation and support them in position before the fasteners are tightened.
1.Bolts. Make permanent field connections using 7/8 inch diameter ASTM F3125 Grade A325 high-strength bolts. Make the diameter of the bolt holes 1/16 inch greater than the diameter of the bolts used. Use bolts for transmitting shear that are threaded to a length that a maximum of one thread is within the grip of the metal. Use bolts that are long enough to extend entirely through the nuts but not more than 1/4 inch beyond the face of the nut. Place one lock washer under the nut of each bolt connecting handrails. Install a hardened washer over slotted holes. When using galvanized nuts, use nuts with a visible lubricant on the threads. When using black bolts and nuts, use bolts and nuts that are oily to the touch when delivered and installed. If bolts and nuts lose lubrication, clean and lubricate the bolts and nuts before installation. Test recleaned or relubricated bolt, nut and washer assemblies as specified in
2.Bolt Connections. Tighten high strength steel bolts using the following requirements:
a.Bolt-Nut-Washer Assembly Testing. Perform the rotational -capacity test specified in Section 834.03 A.2, “Rotational Capacity Testing of Assemblies” on each rotational -capacity lot before starting bolt installation. A Skidmore-Wilhelm Calibrator tension measuring device will be provided by the Engineer at each project site during erection. Use hardened steel washers for tests. If using the calibrated wrench method, perform the test each day that bolts are installed. If using other methods, perform the tests on each production lot. The Engineer will verify the installation test procedures. Use direct tension indicators when testing bolts that are too short for the Skidmore- Wilhelm Calibrator. Calibrate the direct tension indicators in the Skidmore-Wilhelm Calibrator using longer bolts.
b.Installation Preparation and Tension Requirements. Ensure bolted parts fit firmly together when assembled. Descale contact surfaces, including washers that carry more than normal tight mill scale. Contact surfaces shall be free of defects that would pr event solid seating of the parts. Install bolts with nuts on the interior side of the web and on the top side of the flange. Install bolts with a hardened washer under the bolt head or nut, whichever is turned in tightening. Use a flat washer when the abutment surface adjacent to the bolt head or nut does not have a slope of more than 1:20 with respect to a plane normal to the bolt axis. Where an outer face of the bolted parts has a slope of more than 1:20 with respect 283 to a plane normal to the bolt axis, u se a smooth beveled washer to compensate for the lack of parallelism. Tighten all fasteners to the minimum bolt tension values shown in Table 616 -01 “Required Fastener Tension” on completion of the joint. Table 616 -01 Required Fastener Tension Bolt Size (Inches) Minimum Bolt Tension1 (Pounds) 1/2 12,000 5/8 19,000 3/4 28,000 7/8 39,000 1 51,000 1-1/8 56,000 1-1/4 71,000 1-3/8 85,000 1-1/2 103,000 1 Equal to 70 percent of specified minimum tensile strength of bolts as specified in ASTM Specifications for tests of full size ASTM F3125 Grade A 325 bolts with UNC threads loaded in axial tension.
c.Installation Methods. Do not use high strength bolts that were previously tightened to requirements of Table 616-01. Replace the assembly with a new bolt and nut. Replace the assembly at no additional cost to the Department.
1.Turn -of-Nut Tightening. Snug tighten all bolts in the joint with a few impacts of an impact wrench or the full effort of a worker using an ordinary spud wrench. Ensure the parts of the joint are in full contact with each other. Match mark the nuts and protruding bolt ends before final tensioning so that the actual rotation can be determined. Perform final tensioning by the applicable nut rotation specified in Table 616-02 with tightening progressing systematically from the rigid part of the joint to its free edges. During this operation, do not allow rotation of the part not turned by the wrench. For bolts installed by 1/2 turn or less, rotate within a tolerance of plus or minus 30 degrees. For bolts installed by 2/3 turn or more, rotate within a tolerance of plus or minus 45 degrees. Table 616-02 “Nut Rotation from Snug Ti ght Condition Disposition of Outer Faces of Bolted Parts” applies only to connections in which all material within the grip of the bolt is steel. 284 Table 616-02 Nut Rotation from Snug Tight Condition Disposition of Outer Faces of Bolted Parts Bolt Length (underside of head to end of bolt) Both faces normal to bolt axis One face normal to both axis and other sloped not more than 1:20 (beveled washer not used) Both faces sloped not more than 1:20 from normal to the bolt axis (beveled washers not used) 4 Diameters and smaller 1/3 turn 1/2 turn 2/3 turn Over 4 thru 8 Diameters 1/2 turn 2/3 turn 5/6 turn Over 8 thru 12 Diameters1 2/3 turn 5/6 turn 1 turn 1 For bolt lengths exceeding 12 diameters, determine the required rotation by actual test in a suitable tension measuring device which simulates conditions of solidly fitted steel.
2.Calibrated Wrench Tightening. Set calibrated wrenches to the minimum tensions required in Table 616-03 “Required Fastener Tension – Calibrated Wrench Tightening”. Table 616 -03 Required Fastener Tension – Calibrated Wrench Tightening Bolt Size (Inches) Minimum Bolt Tension (Pounds) 1/2 12,600 5/8 19,950 3/4 29,400 7/8 40,950 1 53,550 1-1/8 58,800 1-1/4 74,550 1-3/8 89,250 1-1/2 108,150 Calibration: Calibrate wrenches using the Skidmore-Wilhelm Calibrator. Calibrate by tightening three typical bolts of each diameter, length and grade from the bolts being installed. Use a hardened washer from the washers being used in the work under the el ement turned in tightening. Recalibration: Recalibrate wrenches when there is significant difference in the surface condition of the bolts, threads, nuts, or washers. Verification: Verify that the wrench adjustment selected by the calibration does not pr oduce a nut or bolt head rotation from snug tight greater than that permitted in Table 616-02 during actual installation in the assembled steelwork. 285 If manual torque wrenches are used, measure torque when turning nuts in the tightening direction. Installation: Install and tighten bolts in all holes of the connection to a snug tight condition. Use hardened washers under the element turned. Following the initial tightening operation, further tighten the connection using the calibrated wrench. Tighten systematically from the most rigid part of the joint to its free edges. Recheck: Recheck previously tightened bolts to ensure they have not relaxed as a result of the subsequent tightening of adjacent bolts. Keep rechecking bolts until all bolts are tightened to the specified minimum required tension.
3.Direct Tension Indicator (DT I) Tightening. Use DTI’s that indicate the minimum tensions specified in Table 616-01. Follow the manufacturer’s installation procedure for installation of bolts in the calibration device and in all connections. Properly install flat hardened washers when using DTI with bolts installed in oversize or slotted holes and when using the DTI under the turned element.
a.Calibration Testing of DTI. Assemble a minimum of 3 DTI test assemblies for each length, diameter, and grade of fastener. Perform the rotational -capacity test specified in Section