Design of Steel Structures Questions and Answers - Beam and Column Splices

1. Which of the following is the reason for beams, plate girders and columns being spliced?
a) full length is available from the mill
b) for easy transportation
c) for aesthetic appearance
d) for frictional resistance

Answer: b
Explanation: Rolled beams, plate girders and columns are spliced due to following reasons : (i)full length of the member may not be available from the mill, (ii)size of section which can be transported depends on size of truck, so for easy transportation, (iii)splice points may be used to camber the beam, (iv)when a change in section is required to fit variation in strength required along span of beam

2. Which of the following is correct regarding splice plates used for beam splices?
a) plates on the flange should be designed to do the work of the web and plates on the web should be designed to do the work of the flange
b) plates on the flange should be designed to do the work of the web and plates on the web should be designed to do the work of the web
c) plates on the flange should be designed to do the work of the flange and plates on the web should be designed to do the work of the flange
d) plates on the flange should be designed to do the work of the flange and plates on the web should be designed to do the work of the web

Answer: d
Explanation: For beam splices, each element of the splice is designed to do the work the sections underlying the splice plates could do, if uncut. Plates on the flange should be designed to do the work of the flange and plates on the web should be designed to do the work of the web.

3. According to IS code, strength of spliced portion ________ of the effective strength of material spliced.
a) should not be less than 50%
b) should be less than 50%
c) should not be less than 80%
d) should be less than 80%

Answer: a
Explanation: As per IS code, strength of spliced portion should not be less than 50% of the effective strength of material spliced.

4. Choose the correct option from the following regarding basic forms of beam splices.
a) Flush end plates are used when bending moments to be resisted are high
b) Extended end plates are used when bending moments to be resisted are not high
c) Flush end plates are used when bending moments to be resisted are modest
d) Extended end plates are used when torsional moments to be resisted are not high

Answer: c
Explanation: Flush end plates are used when bending moments to be resisted are modest. Singly or doubly extended plates are used when resisting high moments of one sign or full reversal respectively.

5. When are longitudinal stiffeners introduced to beam splices?
a) when change in size between two sections of beam occurs
b) when change in size between two sections of beam does not occur
c) when change in moment between two sections of beam occurs
d) when change in moment between two sections of beam does not occur

Answer: a
Explanation: When change in size between two sections of beam occurs at an end plate splice, it can be easily accommodated by introducing longitudinal stiffeners to the larger beam

6. In direct end bearing arrangement for column splices,
a) load is transferred through splices
b) splices are designed only to resist accidental tension
c) bending moment is transferred through splices
d) splices are designed only to resist bending moment

Answer: b
Explanation: End bearing arrangement may be used when the columns carry predominantly axial forces. In this load is transferred through contact area and splices are designed only to resist accidental tension due to some uplift loading or internal explosion in the building

7. Which of the following is true regarding arrangement of leaving a gap between the ends for column splices?
a) load is transferred through splices
b) splices are designed only to resist accidental tension
c) load is transferred through contact area
d) splices are designed only to resist bending moment

Answer: a
Explanation: When the columns carry predominantly axial forces, leaving a gap between the ends may be used. In this case, the whole load is transmitted through means of splice plates. HSFG bolts may be used in the connections and changes in size of column may be accommodated using packing plates.

8. Which of the following is true when end plate splices is used for columns?
a) Short end plates are used for heavy moments
b) Extended end plates are used for moderate moments
c) Short end plates are used for moderate moments
d) Short end plates and extended end plates are used for moderate moments

Answer: c
Explanation: End plate splices can be used in column to provide load reversals in columns. Short end plates are used for moderate moments and extended end plates are used for heavy moments

9. Position of splices should be _____ in normal practice.
a) at mid height of columns
b) at three fourth height of column from bottom of column
c) at three fourth height of column from top of column
d) just above the floor level

Answer: d
Explanation: In normal practice, splices are positioned just above the floor level to neglect the effects of flexing of the column. In regions of seismic activity, splices should be placed near mid-height of columns, where bending moments will be minimum.

10. Which of the following parameters control the quality of weld?
a) composition of electrode
b) size of electrode
c) size of metal plate
d) composition of metal plate

Answer: b
Explanation: The parameters control the quality of weld are size of electrode and the current that produces sufficient heat to melt the base metal and minimizes electrode splatter.