A circular penetration of diameter N is centered in the web of a wide-flange steel beam where the penetration size is between three-eighths and two-thirds of the beam depth. Rectangular reinforcing web plates of thickness t are welded to both sides of the beam web around the opening. The reinforcing plates extend a minimum distance of N divided by two plus six inches beyond each side of the penetration and maintain a vertical clearance of d divided by six minimum from the beam flanges. A fillet weld sized at t divided by two connects the reinforcing plates to the beam web, with top and bottom gaps filled typically. The reinforced web plate thickness is specified in an accompanying schedule ranging from three-eighths of an inch to three-quarters of an inch depending on the beam size, with plate grade matching the steel grade of the beam.
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