BRIDGE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FEBRUARY 2004

10.24.3.5 Where AASHTO M 164 (ASTM A 325)

bolts of any diameter or AASHTO M 253 (ASTM A 490)
bolts equal to or less than 1 inch in diameter are to be
installed in an oversize or short slotted hole in an outer
ply, a hardened washer conforming to ASTM F 436 shall
be used.

10.24.4.4 Structural shapes which do not admit the

use of 5/8-inch diameter fasteners shall not be used except
in handrails.
10.24.5

Spacing of Fasteners

10.24.5.1

Pitch and Gage of Fasteners

10.24.3.6

When AASHTO M 253 (ASTM A 490)

bolts over 1 inch in diameter are to be installed in an oversize
or short slotted hole in an outer ply, hardened washers
conforming to ASTM F 436 except with 5/16 inch minimum
thickness shall be used under both the head and the nut in lieu
of standard thickness hardened washers. Multiple hardened
washers with combined thickness equal to or greater than 5/
16 inch do not satisfy this requirement.

The pitch of fasteners is the distance along the line of

principal stress, between centers of adjacent fasteners, +
measured along one or more fastener lines. The gage of
fasteners is the distance between adjacent lines of fasten +
ers or the distance from the back of angle or other shape
to the first line of fasteners.

10.24.5.2

Minimum Spacing of Fasteners

10.24.3.7

Where AASHTO M 164 (ASTM A 325)

bolts of any diameter or AASHTO M 253 (ASTM A 490)
bolts equal to or less than 1 inch in diameter are to be installed
in a long slotted hole in an outer ply, a plate washer or
continuous bar of at least 5/16 inch thickness with standard
holes shall be provided. These washers or bars shall have a
size sufficient to completely cover the slot after installation
and shall be of structural grade material but need not be
hardened except as follows. When AASHTO M 253 (ASTM
A 490) bolts over 1 inch in diameter are to be used in long
slotted holes in external plies, a single hardened washer
conforming to ASTM F436 but with 5/16 inch minimum
thickness shall be used in lieu of washers or bars of structural
grade material. Multiple hardened washers with combined
thickness equal to or greater than 5/16 inch do not satisfy this
requirement.

10.24.4 Size of Fasteners (Rivets or

High-Strength Bolts)

10.24.4.1 Fasteners shall be of the size shown on

the drawings, but generally shall be 3/4 inch or 7/8 inch in
diameter. Fasteners 5/8 inch in diameter shall not be used
+ in members carrying design loads except in 21/2-inch
legs of angles and in flanges of sections.
10.24.4.2 The diameter of fasteners in angles car
+ rying design loads shall not exceed one-fourth the width
of the leg in which they are placed.

The minimum distance between centers of fasteners in

standard holes shall be three times the diameter of the
fastener but, preferably, shall not be less than the following:

Fastener Diameter
(in.)

Minimum Spacing
(in.)

31/2

/8

/4

21/2

/8

+
+

2 /4

10.24.5.3 Minimum Clear Distance

between Holes

When oversize or slotted holes are used, the minimum

clear distance between the edges of adjacent holes in the
direction of the force and transverse to the direction of the
force shall not be less than twice the diameter of the bolt.

10.24.5.4 Maximum Spacing of Fasteners

The maximum spacing of fasteners shall be in accor
dance with the provisions of Articles 10.24.6, as appli
cable.

10.24.4.3 In angles whose size is not determined

+ by design loads, 5/8-inch fasteners may be used in 2-inch
legs, 3/4-inch fasteners in 21/2-inch legs, 7/8-inch fasteners
in 3-inch legs, and 1-inch fasteners in 31/2-inch legs.

SECTION 10

STRUCTURAL STEEL

10-41

BRIDGE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FEBRUARY 2004

10.24.6

Maximum Spacing of Sealing and

Stitch Fasteners

10.24.6.1

Sealing Fasteners

For sealing against the penetration of moisture in

joints, the fastener spacing along a single line of fasteners
adjacent to a free edge of an outside plate or shape shall
not exceed 4 inches + 4t or 7 inches. If there is a second
line of fasteners uniformly staggered with those in the
line adjacent to the free edge, at a gage g less than 11/
2 inches + 4t therefrom, the staggered pitch in two such
lines, considered together, shall not exceed 4 inches + 4t
3g/4 or 7 inches, but need not be less than one-half the
+ requirement for a single line, where t is the thickness of
+ the thinner outside plate or shape (in.), and g is the gage
+ between fasteners (in.).

10.24.6.2

The maximum pitch of fasteners in built-up members

shall be governed by the requirements for sealing or stitch
fasteners, which is minimum.
For pitch of fasteners in the ends of compression
members, see Article 10.16.13.

Edge Distance of Fasteners

10.24.7.1

General

The distance from the center of any fastener in a

+ standard hole to an edge of a connected part shall not be
+ less than the applicable value specified in Table
+ 10.24.7.1.A.

10-42

10.24.7.2 When there is only a single transverse

fastener in the direction of the line of force in a standard
or short slotted hole, the distance from the center of the
hole to the edge of the connected part shall not be less than
11/2 times the diameter of the fastener, unless accounted
for by the bearing provisions of Table 10.32.3B or Article
10.56.1.3.2.
10.24.7.3 When oversize or slotted holes are used,
the distance between edges of holes and edges of mem
bers shall not be less than the diameter of the bolt.
TABLE 10.24.7.1A Minimum Edge Distance from +
Center of Standard Hole to Edge of Connected Part +

Stitch Fasteners

In built-up members where two or more plates or

shapes are in contact, stitch fasteners shall be used to
ensure that the parts act as a unit and, in compression
members, to prevent buckling. In compression members
the pitch of stitch fasteners on any single line in the
direction of stress shall not exceed 12t, except that, if the
fasteners on adjacent lines are staggered and the gage, g,
between the line under consideration and the farther
adjacent line (if there are more than two lines) is less than
24t, the staggered pitch in the two lines, considered
together, shall not exceed 12t or 15t 3g/8. The gage
between adjacent lines of fasteners shall not exceed 24t.
In tension members the pitch shall not exceed twice that
specified for compression members and the gage shall
not exceed that specified for compression members.

10.24.7

The maximum distance from the center of any fastener

to any edge shall be eight times the thickness of the
thinnest outside plate, but shall not exceed 5 inches.

SECTION 10

STRUCTURAL STEEL

Fasteners
Diameter
(in.)

At Sheared
or Thermally
Cut Edges
(in.)

At Rolled
or Planed
Edges
(in.)

At Flange
Edges of
Beams and
Channels
(in.)

+
+
+
+
+

1
/8
3
/4
5
/8

13/4
11/2
11/4
11/8

11/2
11/4
11/8
1

11/4
11/8
1
7
/8

+
+
+
+

10.24.8

Long Rivets

Rivets subjected to design forces and having a grip in +

excess of 41/2 diameters shall be increased in number at
least 1 percent for each additional 1/16 inch of grip. If the
grip exceeds six times the diameter of the rivet, specially
designed rivets shall be used.

10.25 LINKS AND HANGERS

10.25.1

Net Section

In pin-connected tension members other than eyebars,

the net section across the pin hole shall be not less than
140 percent, and the net section back of the pin hole not
less than 100 percent of the required net section of the
body of the member. The ratio of the net width (through
the pin hole transverse to the axis of the member) to the
thickness of the segment shall not be more than 8. Flanges
not bearing on the pin shall not be considered in the net
section across the pin.

BRIDGE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS F EBRUARY 2004

Pin plates are not recommended in new construction.

+
The
thickness required shall be full length. Hanger plates
+
shall
be designed to provide free movement of the parts.
+

10.25.2

Location of Pins

10.26 UPSET ENDS

Pins shall be so located with respect to the gravity axis

of the members as to reduce to a minimum the stresses
due to bending.

10.25.3

Size of Pins

Pins shall be proportioned for the maximum shears

and
bending moments produced by the members con
+
nected.
If there are eyebars among the parts connected,
+
the diameter of the pin shall be not less than

F
y

4
+
400,000 beb

(10-11)

where:
+
+

Fy = specified minimum yield strength of steel (psi)

b eb = width of the body of the eyebar (in.)

10.25.4

Pin Plates

When necessary for the required section or bearing

area, the section at the pin holes shall be increased on each
segment by plates so arranged as to reduce to a minimum
the eccentricity of the segment. One plate on each side
shall be as wide as the outstanding flanges will allow. At
least one full-width plate on each segment shall extend to
the far edge of the stay plate and the others not less than
6 inches beyond the near edge. These plates shall be
+ connected by enough rivets, bolts, or fillet welds to
transmit the bearing pressure, and so arranged as to
distribute it uniformly over the full section.

10.25.5

10.25.5.2
Members shall be restrained against lat
eral movement on the pins and against lateral distortion
due to the skew of the bridge.

Pins and Pin Nuts

10.25.5.1
Pins shall be of sufficient length to secure
a full bearing of all parts connected upon the turned body of
the pin. They shall be secured in position by hexagonal
recessed nuts or by hexagonal solid nuts with washers. If the
pins are bored, through rods with cap washers may be used.
+ Pin nuts shall be malleable castings or steel. They shall be
+ secured by cotter pins or other suitable locking devices
+ which will not affect the removal of the nut.

Bars and rods with screw ends, where specified, shall

be upset to provide a section at the root of the thread,
which will exceed the net section of the body of the
member by at least 15 percent.

10.27 EYEBARS
10.27.1

Thickness and Net Section

Eyebars shall be of a uniform thickness without rein

forcement at the pin holes. The thickness of eyebars shall
be not less that 1 /8 of the width, nor less than 1 /2 inch, and
not greater than 2 inches. The section of the head through
the center of the pin hole shall exceed the required section
of the body of the bar by at least 35 percent. The net
section back of the pin hole shall not be less than 75
percent of the required net section of the body of the
member. The radius of transition between the head and
body of the eyebar shall be equal to or greater than the
width of the head through the centerline of the pin hole.

10.27.2

Packing of Eyebars

10.27.2.1 The eyebars of a set shall be symmetrical

about the central plane of the truss and as nearly parallel
as practicable. Bars shall be as close together as practi
cable and held against lateral movement, but they shall be
so arranged that adjacent bars in the same panel will be
separated by at least 1 /2 inch.
10.27.2.2 Intersecting diagonal bars not far enough
apart to clear each other at all times shall be clamped
together at the intersection.
10.27.2.3 Steel filling rings shall be provided, if
needed, to prevent lateral movement of eyebars or other
members connected on the pin.
10.28 FORKED ENDS
Forked ends will be permitted only where unavoid
able. There shall be enough pin plates on forked ends to

SECTION 10

STRUCTURAL STEEL

10-43

BRIDGE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FEBRUARY 2004

make the section of each jaw equal to that of the member.

The pin plates shall be long enough to develop the pin
plate beyond the near edge of the stay plate, but not less
than the length required by Article 10.25.4.

10.29 FIXED AND EXPANSION BEARINGS

10.29.1

General

10.29.1.1
Fixed ends shall be firmly anchored.
Bearings for spans less than 50 feet need have no provi
+ sion for rotation. Spans of 50 feet or greater shall be
+ provided with a type of bearing to accommodate rotation.
+
10.29.1.2
Expansion ends shall be provided with a
+ type of bearing to accommodate rotation and expansion.
+

10.29.1.3

Deleted

+ 10.29.2

Deleted

+ 10.29.3

Deleted

+ 10.29.4

Sole Plates and Masonry Plates

10.29.4.1 Sole plates and masonry plates shall

have a minimum thickness of 3/4 inch.
10.29.4.2 For spans on inclined grades greater
than 1 percent without hinged bearings, the sole plates
shall be beveled so that the bottom of the sole plate is
level, unless the bottom of the sole plate is radially
curved.
10.29.5

Masonry Bearings

Beams, girders, or trusses on masonry shall be so

supported that the bottom chords or flanges will be above
the bridge seat, preferably not less than 6 inches.
+ 10.29.6

Anchor Rods

10.29.6.1

+
+
+
+
+
+

Trusses, girders, and rolled beam spans

preferably shall be securely anchored to the substructure.
Anchor rods shall be headed, hooked, or threaded with
a nut to secure a satisfactory grip upon the material used
to embed them in the holes. All anchor rods shall conform
to specifications shown in Table 10.2C. High strength
steels (quenched and tempered) are not recommended for
use in hooked anchor rods since bending with heat may

10-44

SECTION 10

STRUCTURAL STEEL

affect their strength. The embedded end of a threaded rod

with a nut shall have a positive locking device or system to
prevent rod rotation when a nut is installed on other end.

+
+
+

10.29.6.2 The following are the minimum require

ments for each bearing:
For rolled beam spans the outer beams shall be an
chored at each end with 2 rods, 1 inch in diameter, set
10 inches in the masonry.

For trusses and girders:

Spans 50 feet in length or less; 2 rods, 1 inch in
diameter set 10 inches in the masonry.

Spans 51 to 100 feet; 2 rods, 11/4 inches in

diameter, set 12 inches in the masonry.

Spans 101 to 150 feet; 2 rods, 11/2 inches in diam

eter, set 15 inches in the masonry.

Spans greater than 150 feet; 4 rods, 11/2 inches in

diameter, set 15 inches in the masonry.

10.29.6.3 Anchor rods shall be designed to resist

uplift as specified in Article 3.17 and seismic forces
specified in Article 3.21. Other restraining devices may
be used in conjunction with anchor rods.

+
+
+
+

10.29.7

Pedestals and Shoes

10.29.7.1 Pedestals and shoes preferably shall be

made of cast steel or structural steel. The difference in
width between the top and bottom bearing surfaces shall
not exceed twice the distance between them. For hinged
bearings, this distance shall be measured from the center
of the pin. In built-up pedestals and shoes, the web plates
and angles connecting them to the base plate shall be not
less than 5/8 inch thick. If the size of the pedestal permits,
the webs shall be rigidly connected transversely. The
minimum thickness of the metal in cast steel pedestals
shall be 1 inch. Pedestals and shoes shall be so designed
that the load will be distributed uniformly over the entire
bearing.
10.29.7.2 Webs and pin holes in the webs shall be
arranged to keep any eccentricity to a minimum. The net

BRIDGE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FEBRUARY 2004

section through the hole shall provide 140 percent of the

net section required for the design load transmitted through
the pedestal or shoe. Pins shall be of sufficient length to
secure a full bearing. Pins shall be secured in position by
appropriate nuts with washers. All portions of pedestals
and shoes shall be held against lateral movement of the
pins.

10.30.5

End Floor Beams

There shall be end floor beams in all square-ended

trusses and girder spans and preferably in skew spans.
End floor beams for truss spans preferably shall be
designed to permit the use of jacks for lifting the super
structure. For this case the allowable stresses may be
increased 50 percent.

10.30 FLOOR SYSTEM

10.30.6
10.30.1

Stringers preferably shall be framed into floor beams.

Stringers supported on the top flanges of floor beams
preferably shall be continuous.

10.30.2

End Panel of Skewed Bridges

Stringers

Floor Beams

Floor beams preferably shall be at right angles to the

trusses or main girders and shall be rigidly connected
thereto. Floor beam connections preferably shall be lo
cated so the lateral bracing system will engage both the
floor beam and the main supporting member. In pin
connected trusses, if the floor beams are located below
the bottom chord pins, the vertical posts shall be extended
sufficiently below the pins to make a rigid connection to
the floor beam.

In skew bridges without end floor beams, the end

panel stringers shall be secured in correct position by end
struts connected to the stringers and to the main truss or
girder. The end panel lateral bracing shall be attached to
the main trusses or girders and also to the end struts.
Adequate provisions shall be made for the expansion
movement of stringers.

10.30.7

Sidewalk Brackets

Sidewalk brackets shall be connected in such a way

that the bending stresses will be transferred directly to the
floor beams.

10.30.8

Stay-in-Place Deck Forms

10.30.8.1
10.30.3

In bridges with wooden floors and steel stringers,

intermediate cross frames (or diaphragms) shall be
placed between stringers more than 20 feet long.

10.30.4

Concrete Deck Panels

Cross Frames

Expansion Joints

10.30.4.1 To provide for expansion and contrac

tion movement, floor expansion joints shall be provided
at all expansion ends of spans and at other points where
they may be necessary.
10.30.4.2
Apron plates, when used, shall be de
signed to bridge the joint and to prevent, so far as
practicable, the accumulation of roadway debris upon
the bridge seats. Preferably, they shall be connected
rigidly to the end floor beam.

When precast prestressed deck panels are used as

permanent forms spanning between beams, stringers, or
girders, the requirements of Article 9.12, Deck Panels,
and Article 9.23, Deck Panels, shall be met.

10.30.8.2

Metal Stay-in-Place Forms

When metal stay-in-place forms are used as perma

nent forms spanning between beams, stringers, or girders,
the forms shall be designed a minimum of, to support the
weight of the concrete (including that in the corrugations, if
applicable), a construction load of 50 psf, and the weight of
the form. The forms shall be designed to be elastic under
construction loads. The elastic deformation caused by the
dead load of the forms, plastic concrete and reinforcement,
shall not exceed a deflection greater than L/80 or one half
inch, for form work spans (L) of 10 feet or less, or a
deflection of L/240 or three-quarter inch, for form work for
spans L over 10 feet. Dead load due to metal stay-in-place
forms shall be taken into account in design of girders.

SECTION 10

STRUCTURAL STEEL

10-45

+
+
+
+
+

BRIDGE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FEBRUARY 2004

Part C
Service Load Design Method

10.31 SCOPE
Allowable stress design is a method for proportioning
structural members using design loads and forces, allow
able stresses, and design limitations for the appropriate
material under service conditions. See Part D Strength
+ Design Method Load Factor Design for a preferred
design procedure.

10.32 ALLOWABLE STRESSES

Steel

Allowable stresses for steel shall be as specified in

Table 10.32.1A.

10.32.2

Weld Metal

Unless otherwise specified, the ultimate strength of

weld metal shall be equal to or greater than specified
+ minimum value of the base metal. Allowable stresses on
the effective areas of weld metal shall be as follows:
Butt Welds
The same as the base metal joined, except in the case
of joining metals of different yields when the lower
yield material shall govern.
Fillet Welds
Fv = 0.27 Fu

(10-12)

where:
+

Fv = allowable basic shear stress (psi)

Fu = tensile strength of the electrode classification
(psi).
When detailing fillet welds for quenched and tem
pered steels the designer may use electrode classifica
tions with strengths less than the base metal provided
that this requirement is clearly specified on the plans.

10-46

SECTION 10

Fasteners

Allowable stresses for fasteners shall be as listed in

Tables 10.32.3A and 10.32.3B, and the allowable force
on a slip-critical connection shall be as provided by
Article 10.32.3.2.1.

Allowable Stress Design

10.32.1

10.32.3

STRUCTURAL STEEL

10.32.3.1

General

10.32.3.1.1 In proportioning fasteners for shear or

tension, the cross sectional area based upon the nominal
diameter shall be used except as otherwise noted.
10.32.3.1.2 The effective bearing area of a fastener
shall be its diameter multiplied by the thickness of the
metal on which it bears. In metal less than 3/8 inch thick,
countersunk fasteners shall not be assumed to carry load.
In metal 3/8 inch thick and over, one-half of the depth of
countersink shall be omitted in calculating the bearing
area.

10.32.3.1.3 In determining whether the bolt threads

are excluded from the shear planes of the contact sur
faces, thread length of bolts shall be calculated as at least
two thread pitches greater than the specified thread length
as an allowance for thread run out.

10.32.3.1.4 In bearing-type connections, pull-out

shear in a plate should be investigated between the end of
the plate and the end row of fasteners. (See Table 10.32.3B,
footnote g.).
10.32.3.1.5 Deleted
10.32.3.1.6 Joints, utilizing high-strength bolts,
required to resist shear between their connected parts are
designated as either slip-critical (see Article 10.24.1.4) or
bearing-type connections. Shear connections subjected
to stress reversal, or where slippage would be undesir
able, shall be slip-critical connections. Potential slip of
joints should be investigated at intermediate load stages
especially those joints located in composite regions.
10.32.3.1.7 The percentage of stress increase shown
in Article 3.22, Combination of Loads, shall apply to
allowable stresses in bolted slip-critical connections us
ing high-strength bolts, except that in no case shall the
percentage of allowable stress exceed 133 percent, and
the requirements of Article 10.32.3.3 shall not be ex
ceeded.

BRIDGE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FEBRUARY 2004

10.32.3.1.8 Bolted bearing-type connections shall

be limited to members in compression and secondary
members.

+
+
+
+

10.32.3.2 The allowable stress in shear, bearing

and tension for AASHTO M164 (ASTM A325) and
AASHTO M253 (ASTM A490) bolts shall be as listed in
Table 10.32.3B.
High strength bolts installed according to the Standard
Specifications of the California Department of Transpor
tation, Section 55, will be fully tensioned and the contact
surface condition of the assembly will be Class B.

SECTION 10

STRUCTURAL STEEL

10-47

BRIDGE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FEBRUARY 2004

TABLE 10.32.1A Allowable StressesStructural Steel (psi)

AASHTO Designation

M 270
Grade 36

M 270
Grade 50

M 270
Grade 50W

M 270
Grades 100/100W

Equivalent ASTM Designation

A 709
Grade 36

A 709
Grade 50

A 709
A 709
Grade 50W Grade HPS 70W

A 709
Grades 100/100W

Thickness of Plates

Up to
4" included

Up to
4" included

Up to
4" included

Shapes

All Groups

All Groups

All Groups

N/A

N/A

Axial tension in members with no

holes for high-strength bolts or rivets.

0.55 Fy

20,000

27,000

27,000

38,000

N/A

Use net section when member has

any open holes larger than 11/4 inch
diameter such as perforations.

0.46 Fu

Axial tension in members with holes

for high-strength bolts or rivets and
tension in extreme fiber of rolled
shapes girders, and built-up sections
subject to bending. Satisfy both
Gross and Net Section criterion.

Gross Sectioni
0.55 Fy

20,000

27,000

27,000

38,000

N/A

Net Section
0.50 Fu

29,000

32,500

35,000

45,000

N/A

+
+

N/A

Net Section
0.46 Fu
Axial compression, gross section:
stiffeners of plate girders. Compression
in splice material, gross section

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

Compression in extreme fibers of

doubly symmetrical I- and H-shape
members with compact flanges
continuously connected to the web
and bent about their weak axes (except
members with the yield strength
greater than 65,000 psi); solid round
and square bars; and solid rectangular
sections bent about their weak axes

Up to
Up to
Over 21/2" to
4" included 21/2" included 4" included

51,000

N/A

46,000

51,000

46,000

20,000

27,000

27,000

38,000

55,000

49,000

0.625 Fy

22,000

31,000

31,000

43,000

62,000

62,000

0.55 Fy

20,000

27,000

27,000

38,000

55,000

49,000

Compression in extreme fibers of

rolled shapes, girders, and built-up
sections subject to bending. Gross
section, when compression flange is:
(A) Supported laterally its full length
by embedment in concrete

(B) Partially supported or is unsupported a, b

50 106 Cb I yc
J
d
0.772 +9.87 0.55Fy
Sxc
I yc
l
l
2

Fb =

10-48

SECTION 10

STRUCTURAL STEEL

BRIDGE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS F EBRUARY 2004

TABLE 10.32.1A Allowable StressesStructural Steel (psi) (continued)

+
+

12.5M max
Cb =
2.5M max + 3M A+ 4M B + 3M c
+

where:
Mm a x
MA
MB
MC

=
=
=
=

+
+
+
+

absolute value of maximum moment in the unbraced beam segment (lb-in.)

absolute value of moment at quarter point of the unbraced beam segment (lb-in.)
absolute value of moment at midpoint of the unbraced beam segment (lb-in.)
absolute value of moment at three- quarter point of the unbraced segment (lb-in.)

C b = 1.0 for unbraced cantilevers and for members where the moment within a significant portion of the unbraced segment is greater than or equal to
the larger of the segment end moments.
Compression in concentrically loaded columns

with C c = (2p 2E/Fy)1/2 =

126.1

107.0

107.0

90.4

75.7

79.8

16,980
0.53 (KL/r)2

23,580
1.03 (KL/r)2

23,580
1.03 (KL/r)2

33,020
2.02 (KL/r)2

47,170
4.12 (KL/r)2

42,450
3.33 (KL/r)2

when KL/r C c

Fa =

2
Fy ( KL / r ) F y
1=
F.S.
4p 2 E

when KL/r > C c

Fa =

p 2E
=
2
F.S. (KL / r )

135,000,740
(KL / r )2

with F.S. = 2.12

Shear in girder webs, gross section

Fv = 0.33 Fy

12,000

17,000

17,000

23,000

33,000

30,000

Bearing on milled stiffeners and

other steel parts in contact (rivets
and bolts excluded)

0.80 Fy

29,000

40,000

40,000

56,000

80,000

72,000

Stress in extreme fiber of pins d

0.80 Fy

29,000

40,000

40,000

56,000

80,000

72,000

Fv = 0.40 Fy

14,000

20,000

20,000

28,000

40,000

36,000

Bearing on pins not subject to

g
rotation

0.80 Fy

29,000

40,000

40,000

56,000

80,000

72,000

Bearing on pins subject to rotation

(such as used in rockers and hinges)

0.40 Fy

14,000

20,000

20,000

28,000

40,000

36,000

Shear in pins

Bearing on connected material at Low

Carbon Steel Bolts (ASTM A 307),
Turned Bolts, Ribbed Bolts, and Rivets
(ASTM A 502 Grades 1 and 2)
Governed by Table 10.32.3A

SECTION 10

STRUCTURAL STEEL

10-49

BRIDGE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FEBRUARY 2004

Footnotes for Table 10.32.1A Allowable StressesStructural Steel (psi)

+
a

For the use of larger Cb values, see Structural Stability Research Council Guide to Stability Design Criteria for Metal Structures, 3rd
Ed., pg. 135. If cover plates are used, the allowable static stress at the point of theoretical cutoff shall be as determined by the formula.
b = length in inches, of unsupported flange between lateral connections, knee braces, or other points of support.
Iyc = moment of inertia of compression flange about the vertical axis in the plane of the web in.4
d = depth of girder, in.

[(bt ) + (bt )
3

Sxc
c E
r
L
K

=
=
=
=
=

+ Dtw3

] where b and t represent the flange width and thickness of the compression and tension flange,

respectively (in.4).

section modulus with respect to compression flange (in.3).

modulus of elasticity of steel

governing radius of gyration

actual unbraced length

effective length factor (see Appendix C)

F.S. =
factor of safety = 2.12

For graphic representation of these formulas, see Appendix C.

The formulas do not apply to members with variable moment of inertia. Procedures for designing members with variable moments

of inertia can be found in the following references: Engineering Journal, American Institute of Steel Construction, January 1969,

Volume 6, No. 1, and October 1972, Volume 9, No. 4; and Steel Structures, by William McGuire, 1968, Prentice-Hall, Inc.,

Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. For members with eccentric loading, see Article 10.36.

Singly symmetric and unsymmetric compression members, such as angles, or tees, and doubly symmetric compression members,

such as cruciform or built-up members with very thin walls, may also require consideration of flexural-torsional and torsional

buckling. Refer to the Manual of Steel Construction, Ninth Edition, 1989, American Institute of Steel Construction.

d See also Article 10.32.4.

g This shall apply to pins used primarily in axially loaded members, such as truss members and cable adjusting links. It shall not apply
to pins used in members having rotation caused by expansion of deflection.
i When the area of holes deducted for high strength bolts or rivets is more than 15 percent of the gross area, that area in excess of
15 percent shall be deducted from the gross area in determining stress on the gross section. In determining gross section, any open
holes larger than 11/4 inch diameter, such as perforations, shall be deducted.

10-50

SECTION 10

STRUCTURAL STEEL

BRIDGE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FEBRUARY 2004

TABLE 10.32.3A Allowable Stresses for Low-

Carbon Steel Bolts and Power Driven Rivets (psi)

Type of Fastener
(A)
Low-Carbon Steel
Boltsa Turned Bolts
(ASTM A 307)
Ribbed Bolts

Shear
Tensionb Bearingc Bearing-Type
Connectionb
18,000

20,000

11,000

(B)
Power-Driven Rivets
(rivets driven by
pneumatically or
electrically operated
hammers are
considered power
driven)

40,000

13,500

Structural Steel Rivet

(high strength) Grade
2 (ASTM A 502
Grade 2)

40,000

20,000

b
c

ASTM A 307 bolts shall not be used in connections subject

to fatigue.
Applies to fastener cross sectional area based upon nominal
body diameter.
Applies to nominal diameter of fastener multiplied by the
thickness of the metal.

Allowable Stress

Applied Static Tensiona, b

0.315 Fud

Shear, Fv, on bolt with

threads included in shear
planec

0.16 Fud

Shear, Fv, on bolt with

threads excluded from
shear plane

0.20 Fud

Load Condition

Bearing, Fp, on connected

material in standard,
oversize, short-slotted
holes in any direction, or
long-slotted holes parallel
to the applied bearing force

Structural Steel Rivet

Grade 1 (ASTM A
502 Grade 1)

TABLE 10.32.3B Allowable Stress for HighStrength Bolts or Connected Material (psi)

Bearing, Fp, on connected

material in long-slotted
holes perpendicular to the
applied bearing force

0.5Lc Fu
e, f , g
Fu
d

0.4 Lc Fu
e, f ,g
0.8 Fu
d

a Bolts must be tensioned to requirements of the Standard

Specifications of California Department of Transportation
b See Article 10.32.3.4 for bolts subject to tensile fatigue
c In connection transmitting axial force whose length between
extreme fasteners measured parallel to the line of force
exceeds 50 inches, tabulated values shall be reduced 20
percent.
d F = specified minimum tensile strength of the fastener given
u
in Table10.2C (psi)
e F = specified minimum tensile strength of connected mate
u
rial (psi)
L c = clear distance between the holes or between the hole and
the edge of the material in the direction of the applied bearing
force (in.)
d = nominal diameter of the bolt (in.)
f Connection using high-strength bolts in slotted holes with the
load applied in a direction other than approximately normal
(between 80 and 100 degrees) to the axis of the hole and
connections with bolts in oversized holes shall be
designed for resistance against slip in accordance with Article
10.32.3.2.1.
g Allowable bearing force for the connection is equal to the sum
of the allowable bearing force for the individual bolts in the
connection
h AASHTO M 164 (ASTM A 325) and AASHTO M253
(ASTM A 490) high-strength bolts are available in three
types, designated as Types 1, 2,or 3. Type 3 shall be required
on the plans when using unpainted AASHTO M 270 Grade
50W (ASTM A709 Grade 50W).

SECTION 10

STRUCTURAL STEEL

10-51

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

BRIDGE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FEBRUARY 2004

10.32.3.2.1 In addition to the allowable stress re

quirements of Article 10.32.3.2 the force on a slip-critical
connection as defined in Article 10.24.1.4 shall not
exceed the allowable slip resistance (Ps) of the connec
tion according to:

Ps = K h Tb An N b N s

(10-13)

where:
+

+
+
+
+
+
+
+

net cross section area of the bolt (in.2)

number of bolts in the joint
number of slip planes
required minimum bolt tension stress specified
in the Standard Specifications of California De
partment of Transportation or equal to 70% of
specified minimum tensile strength of bolts given
in Table 10.2C (psi)
= slip coefficient specified in Table10.32.3C
Kh = hole size factor specified in Table 10.32.3D

An
Nb
Ns
Tb

=
=
=
=

Class A, B or C surface conditions of the bolted parts

as defined in Table 10.32.3C shall be used in joints
designated as slip-critical except as permitted in Article
10.32.3.2.2.

+
+

10.32.3.2.2 Subject to the approval of the Engi

neer, coatings providing a slip coefficient less than 0.33
may be used provided the mean slip coefficient is estab
lished by test in accordance with the requirements of
Article 10.32.3.2.3, and the slip resistance per unit area is
established.
10.32.3.2.3 Paint, used on the faying surfaces of

TABLE 10.32.3C Slip Coefficient

Class
Types

Contact Surface of Bolted Parts

Class A Clean mill scale and blast

cleaned surfaces with Class A
coating

0.33

+
+
+

Class B Blast-cleaned surfaces and

blast-cleaned surfaces with
Class B coating

0.5

+
+
+

Class C Hot-dip galvanized surfaces

roughened by hand wired
brushing after galvanizing

0.33

+
+
+

Note: Coatings classified as Class A or Class B include

those coatings which provide a mean slip coefficient not less than 0.33 or 0.5, respectively, as
determined by Testing Method to Determine the
Slip Coefficient for Coatings Used in the Bolted
Joints. See Article 10.32.3.2.3.

+
+
+
+
+
+

TABLE 10.32.3D Hole Size Factor Slip Kh

Kh

Standard

1.0

Oversize and Short-slotted

0.85

Long-slotted holes with the slot

perpendicular to the direction of the force

0.70

Long-slotted holes with the slot parallel to

the direction of the force

0.60

+
+
+
+

Hole Types

connections specified to be slip-critical, shall be quali

fied by test in accordance with Test Method to Deter
10.32.3.3 Applied Tension, Combined

mine the Slip Coefficient for Coatings Used in Bolted

Tension and Shear

Joints as adopted by the Research Council on Structural

Connections. See Appendix A of Allowable Stress De
10.32.3.3.1 High-strength bolts preferably shall be
sign Specification for Structural Joints Using ASTM
used for fasteners subject to tension or combined tension
A325 or A490 Bolts published by the Research Council
and shear.
on Structural Connections.

10.32.3.3.2 Bolts required to support applied load

by means of direct tension shall be so proportioned that
their average tensile stress computed on the basis of
nominal bolt area will not exceed the appropriate stress in
Table 10.32.3B. The applied load shall be the sum of the
external load and any tension resulting from prying
action. The tension due to the prying action shall be

10-52

SECTION 10

STRUCTURAL STEEL

BRIDGE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS F EBRUARY 2004

3b
t3
Q=
T
8 a 20

+
+
+
+
+
+

+
+
+

(10-14)

fv2 + (k f t )2 Fv2

= calculated tensile stress in rivet or bolt including any stress due to prying action (psi)
= calculated shear stress in rivet or bolt (psi)
= allowable tensile stress on rivet or bolt from
Table 10.32.3A or Table 10.32.3B (psi)
= reduced allowable tensile stress on rivet or bolt
due to the applied shear stress (psi)
= allowable shear stress on rivet or bolt from
Table 10.32.3A or Table 10.32.3B (psi)
= a constant: 0.75 for rivets; 0.6 for high-strength
bolts with threads excluded from shear plane

+
+
+

Q = the prying tension per bolt (taken as zero when

negative) (lb.)
T = the direct tension per bolt due to external load
(lb.)
a = distance from center of bolt under consideration
to edge of plate (in.)
b = distance from center of bolt under consideration
to toe of fillet of connected part (in.)
t = thickness of thinnest part connected (in.)

ft

10.32.3.3.3 For combined shear and tension in slip

critical joints using high-strength bolts where applied
forces reduce the total clamping force on the friction
plane, the shear stress, fv (psi), shall meet the following
requirement:
(10-15)

where:
= calculated tensile stress in the bolt including any
stress due to prying action (psi)
Fs = allowable slip stress (psi)
= Kh mTb
Fu = specified minimum tensile strength of the bolt
from Table 10.2C (psi)
ft

10.32.3.3.4 Where rivets or high-strength bolts in

+
+
+
+

where:

bearing type connections are subject to both shear and

tension, the tensile stress shall not exceed the reduced
allowable tensile stress obtained from the following
equations. The combined stresses shall meet the require
ment of Equation (10-18).
for fv / Fv 0.33

Ft = Ft
for fv / Fv > 0.33

(10-16)

fv
Ft

Ft
Fv
k

(10-17)
(10-18)

where:

fv Fs (1 -1.88 ft / Fu )

+
+
+
+
+
+

Ft = Ft 1 - ( f v / Fv )

10.32.3.4

+
+
+

Fatigue

When subject to tensile fatigue loading, the tensile

stress in the bolt due to the service load plus the prying
force resulting from application of service load shall not
exceed the following allowable stresses (psi). The nominal diameter of the bolt shall be used in calculating the
bolt stress. The prying force shall not exceed 80 percent
of the externally applied load.

AASHTO M 164
(ASTM A 325)

AASHTO M 235
(ASTM A 490)

Not more
than 20,000

38,000

47,000

From 20,000
to 500,000

35,500

44,000

More than
500,000

27,500

34,000

Number of Cycles

10.32.4

Pins, Rollers, and Expansion Rockers

10.32.4.1 The effective bearing area of a pin shall

be its diameter multiplied by the thickness of the material
on which it bears. When parts in contact have different
yield strength, Fy shall be the smaller value.

10.32.4.2 Design stresses for Steel Bars, Carbon

Cold Finished Standard Quality, AASHTO M 169 (ASTM
A 108), and Steel Forgings, Carbon and Alloy, for Gen
eral Industrial Use, AASHTO M 102 (ASTM A 668), are
given in Table 10.32.4.2A.

SECTION 10

STRUCTURAL STEEL

10-53

BRIDGE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FEBRUARY 2004

TABLE 10.32.4.2A

b
c

Allowable StressesSteel Bars and Steel Forgings

AASHTO Designation with Size

Limitations

M 102 To
20" in dia.

M 102 To 10"
in dia.

M 102 To
20" in dia.

ASTM Designation Grade or Class

A 668
Class D

A 668
Class F

A 668b
Class G

+
+

Minimum Yield Strength, psi

Fy

37,500

50,000

50,000

Stress in Extreme Fiber, psi

0.80Fy

30,000

40,000

40,000

Shear, psi

0.40Fy

15,000

20,000

20,000

Bearing on Pins not Subject to

Rotation, psic

0.80Fy

30,000

40,000

40,000

Bearing on Pins Subject to Rotation,

psi (such as used in rockers and
hinges)

0.40Fy

15,000

20,000

20,000

+
+

May substitute rolled material of the same properties.

This shall apply to pins used primarily in axially loaded members, such as truss members and cable adjusting links. It shall not apply
to pins used in members having rotation caused by expansion or deflection.

10.32.5 Cast Steel, Ductile Iron Castings,

Malleable Castings, and Cast Iron
10.32.5.1

Cast Steel and Ductile Iron

10.32.5.1.1 For cast steel conforming to specifica

tions for Steel Castings for Highway Bridges, AASHTO M
192 (ASTM A 486), Mild-to-Medium-Strength CarbonSteel Castings for General Application, AASHTO M103
(ASTM A27), and Corrosion-Resistant Iron-Chromium,
Iron-Chromium-Nickel and Nickel-Based Alloy Castings
for General Application, AASHTO M 163 (ASTM A 743),
and for Ductile Iron Castings (ASTM A 536), the allowable
+ stresses shall be in accordance with Table 10.32.5.1A.
10.32.5.1.2 When in contact with castings or steel
of a different yield strength, the allowable bearing stress
+ of the material with the lower yield strength shall govern.
+ For riveted or bolted connections, Article 10.32.3 shall
govern.

10.32.5.2

Malleable Castings

Malleable castings shall conform to specifications for

Malleable Iron Castings, ASTM A 47 Grade 35018.

10-54

SECTION 10

STRUCTURAL STEEL

The following allowable stresses (psi) and modulus of +

elasticity (psi) shall be used:
+
Tension 18,000
Bending in Extreme Fiber 18,000
Modulus of Elasticity 25,000,000

10.32.5.3

Cast Iron

Cast iron castings shall conform to specifications

for Gray Iron Castings, AASHTO M 105 (ASTM A
48), Class 30B. The following allowable stresses (psi) +
shall be used:
Bending in Extreme Fiber ..3,000
Shear ...3,000
Direct Compression, short columns .12,000

10.32.5.4

Deleted

BRIDGE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FEBRUARY 2004

TABLE 10.32.5.1A

Allowable StressesCast Steel and Ductile Iron (psi)

AASHTO Designation

M 103

M 192

M 192

M 163

None

ASTM Designation

A 27

A 486

A 486

A 743

A 536

Class or Grade

70-36

70

CA-15

60-40-18

36,000

60,000

95,000

65,000

40,000

Axial Tension

14,500

22,500

34,000

24,000

16,000

Tension in Extreme Fiber

14,500

22,500

34,000

24,000

16,000

Axial Compression, Short Columns

20,000

30,000

45,000

32,000

22,000

Compression in Extreme Fibers

20,000

30,000

45,000

32,000

22,000

Shear

09,000

13,500

21,000

14,000

10,000

Bearing, Steel Parts in Contact

30,000

45,000

68,000

48,000

33,000

Bearings on Pins not subject to Rotation

26,000

40,000

60,000

43,000

28,000

Bearings on Pins subject to Rotation

(such as used in rockers and hinges)

13,000

20,000

30,000

21,500

14,000

Bearing on Masonry

10.32.6.1 The allowable bearing stress (psi) on the

following types of masonry shall be:
Granite .800
Sandstone and Limestone 400

10.32.6.2 The above bridge seat stress will apply

only where the edge of the bridge seat projects at least 3
inches (average) beyond the edge of shoe or plate. Oth
+ erwise, the stresses permitted will be 75 percent of the
above amounts.
+

120

Minimum Yield Strength, Fy

10.32.6
+

90

10.33.1.2 The compression flanges of rolled

beams supporting timber floors shall not be consid
ered to be laterally supported by the flooring unless
the floor and fastenings are specially designed to
provide adequate support.
10.33.2

Bearing Stiffeners

Suitable stiffeners shall be provided to stiffen the

webs of rolled beams at bearings when the calculated +

shear stress in the web adjacent to the bearing ex

ceeds 75 percent of the allowable shear stress for +

girder webs. See the related provisions of Article

10.34.6.

10.32.6.3 For allowable bearing stress on concrete

masonry, refer to Article 8.15.2.1.3.

10.34 PLATE GIRDERS

10.33 ROLLED BEAMS

10.34.1

10.33.1

10.34.1.1 Girders shall be proportioned by the mo

ment of inertia method. For members primarily in bending,
the entire gross section shall be used when calculating
tensile and compressive stresses. Holes for high-strength
bolts or rivets and/or open holes not exceeding 11/4 inches,
may be neglected provided the area removed from each
flange does not exceed 15 percent of that flange. That area
in excess of 15 percent shall be deducted from the gross area.

General

10.33.1.1 Rolled beams, including those with

welded cover plates, shall be designed by the mo
ment of inertia method. Rolled beams with riveted
cover plates shall be designed on the same basis as
riveted plate girders.

General

SECTION 10

STRUCTURAL STEEL

10-55

BRIDGE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FEBRUARY 2004

10.34.1.2 The compression flanges of plate gird

ers supporting timber floors shall not be considered to be
laterally supported by the flooring unless the floor and
fastenings are specially designed to provide support.
10.34.2

Flanges

10.34.2.1

Welded Girders

10.34.2.1.1 Each flange may comprise a series of

plates joined end to end by full penetration butt welds.
Changes in flange areas may be accomplished by varying
the thickness and/or width of the flange plate, or by
+ adding cover plate. Varying the thickness and/or width of
+ the flange plate is preferred. Where plates of varying
thicknesses or widths are connected, the splice shall be
made in accordance with Article 10.18 and welds ground
smooth before attaching to the web. The compression
flange width, b, on fabricated I-shaped girders preferably
shall not be less than 0.2 times the web depth, but in no
case shall it be less than 0.15 times the web depth. If the
area of the compression flange is less than the area of the
tension flange, the minimum flange width may be based
on 2 times the depth of the web in compression rather than
the web depth. The compression-flange thickness, t,
preferably shall not be less than 1.5 times the web
thickness. The width-to-thickness ratio, b/t, of flanges
subject to tension shall not exceed 24.

10.34.2.1.2 When cover plates are used, they shall

be designed in accordance with Article 10.13.
10.34.2.1.3 The width-thickness ratio (b/t) of com
+
+ pression flange plate shall not exceed the limiting values
+ specified in Table 10.34.2A.
+

10.34.2.1.4 Deleted

10-56

SECTION 10

STRUCTURAL STEEL

BRIDGE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FEBRUARY 2004

+
+
+
+

TABLE 10.34.2A Limiting Width-Thickness Ratios for Compression Flanges of Plate Girders

Description of Component
Compression flange plate of
noncomposite welded plate girders

+
+

Compression flange plate of

composite welded plate girders

+
+
+

Outstanding legs of flange angles of

noncomposite riveted or bolted
girders

+
+

Outstanding legs of flange angles of

composite riveted or bolted girders

+
+
+
+
+
+

Limiting (b/t)

3,250
24 (10-19)
fb

When fb = 0.55 Fy
Fy (psi)

Limiting b/t

36,000
50,000
70,000
90,000
100,000

23
20
17
15
14

36,000
50,000
70,000
90,000
100,000

11.5
10
8.5
7.5
7.0

3,860
24 (10-20)
f dl1

1,625
12 (10-21)
fb

1,930
12 (10-22)
f dl 1

b = flange plate width for welded plate girders or outstanding leg width of flange angles for riveted and bolted
girders (in.)
fb = calculated compressive bending stress in flange (psi)
fdl1 = top flange compressive stress due to noncomposite dead load (psi)
Fy = specified minimum yield strength of the component under consideration (psi)
t = component plate thickness (in.)

SECTION 10

STRUCTURAL STEEL

10-57

BRIDGE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FEBRUARY 2004

10.34.2.1.5 In the case of a composite girder the

+ width-thickness ratio (b/t) ratio of the top compression
+ flange plate shall not exceed the limiting values specified
+ in Table 10.34.2A.
10.34.2.2

Riveted or Bolted Girders

10.34.2.2.1 Flange angles shall form as large a part

of the area of the flange as practicable. Side plates shall
not be used except where flange angles exceeding 7/8 inch
in thickness otherwise would be required.
+

10.34.2.2.2 The width-thickness ratio (b'/t) of out

standing legs of flange angles in compression, except
+ those reinforced by plates, shall not exceed the limiting
+ values specified in Table 10.34.2A
+

10.34.2.2.9 Legs of angles 6 inches or greater in

width, connected to web plates, shall have two lines of
fasteners. Cover plates over 14 inches wide shall have
four lines of fasteners.
10.34.3

Web Plates

10.34.3.1 Girders Not Stiffened

Longitudinally

The girder without longitudinal stiffeners is usually

preferred. The width-thickness ratio (D/tw) of the web
plate of plate girders without longitudinal stiffeners shall
not exceed the limiting values specified in Table
10.34.3A.

+
+
+
+
+

10.34.3.1.1 Deleted

10.34.3.1.2 Deleted

10.34.2.2.3 Deleted

10.34.2.2.4 In the case of a composite girder the

+ width-thickness ratio (b'/t) of outstanding legs of top
flange angles in compression, except those reinforced by
+ plates, shall not exceed the limiting values specified in
+ Table 10.34.2A.

10.34.2.2.5 The gross area of the compression

flange, except for composite design, shall be not less than
the gross area of the tension flange.
10.34.2.2.6 Flange plates shall be of equal thick
ness, or shall decrease in thickness from the flange angles
outward. No plate shall have a thickness greater than that
of the flange angles.

10.34.2.2.7 At least one cover plate of the top

flange shall extend the full length of the girder except when
the flange is covered with concrete. Any cover plate that is
not full length shall extend beyond the theoretical cutoff
point far enough to develop the capacity of the plate or shall
extend to a section where the stress in the remainder of the
girder flange is equal to the allowable fatigue stress, which
ever is greater. The theoretical cutoff point of the cover plate
is the section at which the stress in the flange without that
cover plate equals the allowable stress, exclusive of fatigue
considerations.
10.34.2.2.8 The number of fasteners connecting
the flange angles to the web plate shall be sufficient to
develop the increment of flange stress transmitted to the
flange angles, combined with any load that is applied
directly to the flange.
10-58

SECTION 10

STRUCTURAL STEEL

10.34.3.2 Girders Stiffened Longitudinally

The width-thickness ratio (D/tw) of the web plate of plate +
girders equipped with longitudinal stiffeners shall not ex +
+
ceed the limiting values specified in Table 10.34.3A.

10.34.3.2.1 Deleted

10.34.3.2.2 Deleted

BRIDGE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS F EBRUARY 2004

TABLE 10.34.3A Limiting Width-Thickness Ratios for Web Plates of Plate Girders

Description of Web Plates

When fb = Fb
or fv = Fv

Limiting (D/tw)

Without longitudinal stiffeners

23,000
170
fb

(10-23)

(See Figure 10.34.3A)

+

With longitudinal stiffeners

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

(Note: When fb = Fb, limiting

width-thickness ratio (D/tw)
shall apply to a symmetical
girder stiffened with transverse
stiffeners in combination with
one longitudinal stiffener
located a distance D/5 from the
compression flange)

Without transverse stiffeners

4 ,050 k
fb
for

for

ds
0.4
Dc

ds
< 0. 4
Dc

340

( Dr
(Dr
= 5.17
9
ds
Dc
2
(
r
D
k = 1 1 .6 4
Dc - d s

36,000
50,000
70,000
90,000
100,000

165
140
115
105
100

36,000
50,000
70,000
90,000
100,000

327
278
235
207
196

36,000
50,000
70,000
90,000
100,000

78
66
56
50
47

for symmetrical girder see Figure 10.34.3.1A

8,510
80
fv

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

Limiting
(D/tw)

(10-24)
2

Fy
(psi)

D = depth of web or the clear unsupported distance between flange components (in.)
D c = depth of web in compression calculated by summing the stresses from applicable stages of loadings (in.). In
composite sections subjected to negative bending, Dc may be taken as the depth of the web in compression
of the composite section without summing the stresses from various stage of loadings
ds = distance from the centerline of a plate longitudinal stiffener or the gage line of an angle longitudinal stiffener
to the inner surface or the leg of the compression flange component (in.)
fb = calculated flange bending stress in the compression flange (psi)
f v = calculated average shear stress in the gross section of the web plate (psi)
Fb = allowable bending stress (psi)
Fv = allowable shear stress (psi)
Fy = specified minimum yield strength of steel (psi)
k = buckling coefficient
t w = web plate thickness (in.)

SECTION 10

STRUCTURAL STEEL

10-59

BRIDGE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FEBRUARY 2004

120

lw = 11J 16"

240

110

lw = 5J 8"

220

100

lw = 9J 16"

200

Depth of web in inches for a s.metrical girder with transverse

stiffeners and one longitudinal stiffener located a distance DJ5
from the compression flange

260

lw = 3J4"

!b

Depth of web in inches with

transverse stiffeners onl.

D=

23 000 lw

130

90

180

lw = 1J 2"

80

160

lw = 7J 16"

70

140

lw = 3J8"

60

120

lw = 5J16"

50

100

40

80

30

60

10.34.4.2 Where transverse intermediate stiffen

ers are required, the spacing of the transverse intermedi
ate stiffener shall be such that the calculated shearing +
stress will not exceed the value given by the following
equation (the maximum spacing is limited to 3D subject
to the handling requirements below):
Fv =

Fy
0.87 (1 C )

C +
2
3

(
)
d
/
D
1+
o

(10-26)

The constant C is equal to the buckling shear stress

divided by the shear yield stress, and is determined as
follows:

D 6,000 k
<
tw
Fy

for

C = 1.0
0

10

20

30

40

50

!b (ksi)

6,000 k
D 7,500 k

tw
Fy
Fy

for

WEB THICKNESS AND GIRDER DEPTH

(A Function of Bending Stress)
D = depth of web
lw = thickness of web
!b = calculated compressive bending stress in flange

C =

6,000 k
Fy

(D / tw )

(10-27)

FIGURE 10.34.3.1A Web Thickness vs. Girder

Depth for Non-Composite Symmetrical Sections

D 7,500 k
>
tw
Fy

for

10.34.4
+

Transverse Intermediate Stiffeners

10.34.4.1

Transverse intermediate stiffeners may

be omitted if the average calculated shearing stress in the
gross section of the web plate at the point considered, fv,
is less than the value given by the following equation:

7.33107 Fy
Fv =

3
(D / tw )2

(10-25)

Fv = allowable shear stress (psi)

10-60

SECTION 10

4.5107 k
(D / tw )2 Fy

(10-28)

where:

where:
+

C =

STRUCTURAL STEEL

k = 5+

(do / D )2

do = spacing of intermediate stiffener (in.)

+
Fy = specified minimum yield strength of the web +
plate (psi)
+