just want to ask regarding the weld access hole. we have situation that we join a rolled shape(I-beam), after welding the splice/butt joint we will put a doubler plate/splice plate on it.the question is,do we need to cover/close the weld acces hole?
I think that would be up to the EOR, but generally, weld access holes should not be filled with weld metal. Doing so could create the very same cracking problems the weld access hole was used to prevent. D1.1 commentary states that welded closure of weld access holes is not recommended.
There are no maximum dimensions, only minimum dimensions for the access hole, there is also a finish requirement for the roughness of the cut. See 5.17.1 and Figure 5.2 for the minimum dimensions in D1.1:2006.
The height of the access hole shall be 1/12 times the thickness of the material with the access hole, but not less than 1", nor does it need to exceed 2".
Yes, there are proportional requirements depending on thicknesses of the material but they are only listed as minimum dimensions, the Commentary on 5.17.1 even speaks about making them generous sized access holes.
we started drilling all access holes a few years back,city of L.A. certified shop, i'm not doing buildings anymore but if i remember they ( city of L.A. ) made us drill them to meet thier roughness reqs.