Longer Bridges Typically have Splices Every 40′to 75′.
Truss “inside the tube” chord splice.
Typically 45-80 A325 bolts.
Some wide (>12′ deck surface) bridges have a longitudinal splice; the deck is usually shipped loose.
Wide bridge shipped with deck installed.
Loose splice plates and bolts will be shipped on a pallet.
1-3 hours per splice should be allowed if done on the ground before the bridge is set. Box trusses are generally twice as labor intensive.
Starting the splice plates Lining up halves Align holes in spliced verticals
Your crane(s) and hand winches are typically used to pull the sections together. Timbers help block up the stationary section to facilitate tightening the bolts under the bridge and to compensate for the bridge camber when matching up sections.
Finger tighten. Begin tightening routine.
Tighten splice bolts Have the right tools.
under the deck. No cutting allowed.
Impact wrenches may be used for initial tightening of bolts. Use spud wrenches for final tightening procedure. See your Excel Shop drawings and Excel “Lift and Splice” sheets for specific instructions.
AISC bolt tightening methods and inspection are required, Excel recommends the “turn of the nut” method as described in your AISC manual.
No field welding required.
Some wood deck bridges have a few loose planks and hold down angle pieces that may need drilling. Bolts will be provided. At the splice point some concrete decked bridges have form pan sheets shipped loose. These are field installed by the contractor.
