Structural · S-PGPQB

Beam Web Access Hole Geometry at Moment Connection

Materials

Steel

Elements

Beams Connections / Plates

Connections

Moment Connection Welded Connection

About this detail

A beam web access hole, commonly known as a rathole, is cut into the web of a steel beam adjacent to the flange to allow for complete joint penetration groove welds during moment connection fabrication. The geometry features a minimum three-eighths inch radius at the base of the cut and specific dimensional clearances proportional to the flange thickness to prevent stress concentrations and cracking. Edges must be beveled as required by AWS D1.1 standards for the selected groove weld procedure, with tolerances tightly controlled to ensure the access hole angle does not exceed twenty-five degrees. This fabrication detail is required at heavy steel moment connections in structural framing where beams frame rigidly into columns or other members.

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