Large Bolted and Riveted Shingle Splices

The results of two full-size simulated bridge joints of a chord member and splice on the Baton Rouge Interstate Bridge, a three-span cantilever truss bridge over the Mississippi River are reported. Also given are the results of five small control tests. Comparative information was obtained on the behavior of riveted and bolted joints. This included the magnitude and distribution of slip, the transfer of force in the shingled plates and their relationship to design. It was found that the slip behavior of the large joints was in reasonable agreement with the small control joints. Also, the overall deformation of the large riveted joint always exceeded the comparable deformation in the bolted joint at all load levels. The force transfer within the joint differed significantly from the force transfer commonly assumed for design.