Problem Solving Forum
December 19 - December 23, 2022
When we use field splice plate connections on structural steel projects, how do we prevent rust and rust staining at bolt heads and at the splice plate/steel interface?
Selected Answers
From
Mike Beitzel of Modjeski and Masters on
December 19, 2022:
To prevent rusting splice plate faying surfaces sh ...read more
To prevent rusting splice plate faying surfaces should be cleaned and painted with a zinc primer or other primer that has passed the required slip -coefficient testing. The bolts in my opinion should be galvanized and installed over a primed surface to prevent rusting of the seam between the fasteners and the steel plates. The fastener system components should be solvent cleaned to remove wax from nuts and the fasteners surfaces lightly abraded and prime coated to repair any damaged galvanizing that resulted from installation and tightening. The use of load indicating washers in my opinion should also be avoided to prevent future rusting unless the coating system mil thickness is sufficient to bridge and seal the gap that remains under the washer after installation.