Commentary on Welded Cover-Plated Beams

Existing static and fatigue studies of welded and rolled cover-plated sections are summarized. Studies showed that the strain concentrations did not differ greatly from other fillet welds. The stress in the cover-plate nearly conformed to theoretical predictions (Mc/I) at a distance equal to the cover-plate width when an end weld was present and at twice the cover-plate width when no weld was present. Fatigue failure always occurred in the beam and not the weld. Also, the fatigue strength of end details with or without transverse end welds are about the same at any cycle life. Significant increases in life were only obtained when the end welds were machined or ground smooth. Finally, the application of existing studies to design is described and current (1966) design practice is scrutinized. Several design recommendations are suggested and areas requiring additional study are also summarized.