Our high-strength custom structural steel splice plates are precision-engineered connection components designed to transfer axial forces, shear forces, and bending moments across structural member joints with maximum reliability. Fabricated from premium high-tensile steel (Q345B/Q390/A572 Gr.50/A709 Gr.50), each splice plate is custom-designed to match your exact beam/column profile, bolt pattern, and load specification.
Unlike generic off-the-shelf plates, our splice plates are optimized through Tekla Structures deep detailing and verified against international design codes including AISC 360-22, Eurocode 3 (EN 1993-1-8), and GB 50017-2017, ensuring full compliance with project specifications worldwide.
Specification of S
tructural Steel Splice Plates
| Parameter | Specification | Standard / Code |
|---|---|---|
| Steel Material Grade | Q235B / Q345B / Q390 / Q420 / A36 / A572 Gr.50 / A709 Gr.50 / S355 / S460 | GB/T 700, GB/T 1591, ASTM A36 / A572 / A709, EN 10025 |
| Plate Thickness | 6mm – 80mm (custom thickness available upon request) | GB/T 709, ASTM A6 |
| Splice Plate Dimensions | Length: 200mm – 3000mm; Width: 100mm – 1200mm (fully customizable) | Per project drawings |
| Bolt Hole Pattern | Custom CNC-drilled per design; Standard hole, oversized hole, or slotted hole available | AISC 360-22 Chapter J, EN 1090-2 |
| Bolt Grade | 8.8s / 10.9s / A325 / A490 (matched to splice plate design) | GB/T 1231, ASTM F3125, EN 14399 |
| Welding Standard | Full-penetration / partial-penetration butt welds; Fillet welds | AWS D1.1, ISO 3834, EN 1090-2 (EXC2 / EXC3) |
| Surface Treatment | Sa 2.5 shot blasting + epoxy zinc-rich primer (75–125μm) / hot-dip galvanizing (85μm+) / intumescent fire coating | ISO 8501-1, ASTM A123, EN ISO 12944 |
| Fabrication Tolerance | Length ±2mm; Hole position ±1.5mm; Flatness ≤ L/1000 | ISO 2768-mK, AWS D1.1 Clause 6, EN 1090-2 |
| NDT Inspection | 100% UT (Ultrasonic Testing) on full-penetration welds; MT (Magnetic Particle) per request | ISO 17640, AWS D1.1 Clause 8, EN 1760 |
| Design Code Compliance | AISC 360-22, EN 1993-1-8 (Eurocode 3), GB 50017-2017, AS 4100 - project-specific compliance available | Project-specific compliance available |
Note: All specifications can be tailored to your project's unique requirements. Custom material grades, non-standard dimensions, and specialized surface treatments are available upon request. Contact our engineering team to discuss your specific splice plate needs.
Advantages of Structural Steel Splice Plates
High strength and stiffness
Splice plates firmly lock two steel segments together using high‑strength bolts or welding. The joint capacity can reach 95%‑100% of the capacity of the original member cross‑section, effectively preventing bending deformation at connections.
Dimensional flexibility
Breaking the length limit of rolled steel profiles (typically 12 m), factory prefabrication plus field splicing enables erection of extra‑long, extra‑wide long‑span structures, such as workshops or bridges with spans over 50 m.
Short construction cycle
Field assembly with splice plates via high‑strength bolts is 3 to 5 times faster than on‑site welding, and works regardless of harsh weather conditions, greatly shortening the overall project schedule.
Optimized stress distribution
Properly‑designed rectangular or trapezoidal splice plates spread concentrated loads evenly over a larger cross‑section. This reduces the stress‑concentration factor at joints by 20%‑30% and improves anti‑fatigue performance.
Splice Plate Connection vs. Direct Butt Weld / Traditional Joints
| Performance Indicator | Direct Butt Joint (No Splice Plate) | Structural Steel Splice Plate Connection | Improvement Range / Optimization Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultimate Flexural Strength of Joint | Approximately 80%~85% of base metal (weakened by heat-affected zone) | Up to 95%~100% of base metal | Strength increased by roughly 15%~20% |
| Stress Concentration Factor (Kt) | 2.2 ~ 2.8 (Prone to cracking at abrupt transitions) | 1.4 ~ 1.7 (Smooth transition) | Reduced by approximately 30%~40% |
| Fatigue Life (Number of Cycles) | Baseline value (Prone to failure at weld toes) | Increased by 1.5 ~ 2.2 times | Markedly improved resistance to dynamic loads |
| On-site Installation Efficiency | Long construction period for full on-site welding, heavily affected by weather | Time consumption per bolt-assembled joint cut by over 50% | Less on-site wet work and lower risks of high-altitude welding |
Typical Applications of Structural Steel Splice Plates
Steel‑Structure Workshops and High‑rise Buildings: Applied for field segmental splicing and extension of extra‑long or super‑high steel columns and steel beams.
Bridge Engineering: Segmental splicing and erection for main girders and arch ribs of long‑span steel bridges.
Space Grid and Truss Structures: Transfer internal forces at member intersection joints or intermediate splice locations of tension‑loaded / compression‑loaded members.
Temporary Supports and Modular Buildings: Connections for temporarily‑assembled structures, prefabricated houses, and fast‑disassembling steel components.
Our Custom Splice Plate Fabrication Process
Every custom splice plate order follows a structured 7-step process - from initial inquiry to final delivery. This process ensures design accuracy, material traceability, fabrication quality, and on-time delivery. You are involved at every approval gate, with full transparency from start to finish.
| Step | Process Stage | What Happens | Deliverable & Approval Gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Requirement Review | You send us drawings, load specs, applicable design code, and project timeline. Our engineering team reviews feasibility, flags design concerns, and confirms material availability. | Feasibility Report + Initial Quotation (within 24h) |
| 02 | Design Optimization设计优化 | Our Tekla/CAD team reviews your splice plate design, suggests material savings, bolt pattern improvements, and constructability enhancements - without compromising structural integrity. | Optimized Shop Drawings (PDF/DWG/IFC) → Your Approval Required |
| 03 | Material Procurement | Steel plate sourced from Tier-1 Chinese mills (Shougang, Baosteel, Ansteel) per approved material grade. Material Test Reports (EN 10204 3.1/3.2) obtained from mill. | Mill Certificates (MTR) - archived for 10-year traceability |
| 04 | Precision Fabrication | CNC plate drilling (±1.5mm accuracy), plasma cutting, automated SAW welding - all per approved shop drawings and AWS D1.1 / EN 1090-2 procedures. In-process dimensional inspection at each operation. | In-Process Inspection Records |
| 05 | Quality Control & NDT | 100% UT on full-penetration welds; MT per request; visual + dimensional inspection against approved drawings. Third-party inspection (SGS, BV, TÜV) facilitated if required. | NDT Reports + Final QC Dossier → Release for Coating |
| 06 | Surface Treatment | Sa 2.5 shot blasting → epoxy zinc-rich primer / hot-dip galvanizing / fire coating per project spec. Coating thickness verified with elcometer and recorded. | Coating Thickness Records + Visual Inspection |
| 07 | Packaging & Shipping | Sea-worthy packaging with steel pallets, moisture barrier, desiccant. Labeling per your project numbering system. Export documentation (CO, packing list, BL) prepared. FOB/CIF/DDP terms available. | Full Documentation Package + Shipment Dispatch |
Typical Lead Time
15–25 days for orders under 50 tons | 25–40 days for orders above 50 tons | Rush orders expedited upon request
Splice Plate Types We Fabricate
We fabricate splice plates for all major structural joint types. Each type is engineered to meet specific load transfer requirements, connection methods, and applicable design codes.
| plice Type | Application | Connection Method |
|---|---|---|
| Beam-to-Beam Splice Plates | Continuous beam connections; moment-resisting splices | Bolted (bearing-type or slip-critical) / Welded |
| Column Splice Plates | Multi-story column splicing; base-to-column transitions | Bolted flange splice + web splice / Full-penetration weld |
| Chord & Web Member Splices | Truss connections; space frame nodes | Bolted gusset splice / Welded joint |
| Crane Girder Splice Plates | Heavy-duty crane runway systems with fatigue loading | Slip-critical bolted splice (designed for fatigue) |
Note: The connection method for each splice type is determined by the project's design code (AISC 360-22, EN 1993-1-8, or GB 50017), load conditions (static / dynamic / fatigue), and erection requirements. Our engineering team can advise on the optimal splice type and connection method for your specific application.
Packing & Delivery of Structural Steel Splice Plates
Categorized Packing: Group splice plates by dimension, thickness and steel grade. Small‑size or lightweight spare parts shall be packed inside wooden crates or woven bags.
Strapping & Securing: Apply multiple cross‑pattern strapping with high‑strength steel bands to prevent loose shifting.
Surface Protection: Coat surfaces with anti‑rust paint or attach anti‑rust film, then wrap outer layers with waterproof and moisture‑proof paper.
Clear Marking: Mark component numbers, specifications, gross weight and shipper information on package surfaces or adhesive labels.
Anti‑slip & Displacement Prevention: Place timber blocks at the bottom of cargo compartments. Secure splice plates firmly with ratchet tensioners or steel wire ropes during transportation to avoid sliding and shifting.
FAQ:
What steel grades are available for custom splice plates?
We fabricate splice plates from Q235B, Q345B, Q390, Q420 (Chinese standard), A36, A572 Gr.50, A709 Gr.50 (ASTM), and S275, S355, S460 (EN standard). Other grades can be sourced upon request. All materials come with EN 10204 3.1/3.2 MTR.
Do you provide design optimization services, or only fabricate to drawings?
We do both. While we faithfully fabricate to your approved drawings, our engineering team also reviews each project and proactively suggests optimizations - such as material grade alternatives, bolt pattern improvements, or weld joint modifications - that can reduce cost and improve constructability without compromising structural integrity.
Can you produce a small prototype batch before mass production?
Yes, we encourage prototype runs for complex or critical splice connections. A prototype batch (typically 3–10 pieces) is fabricated using the same CNC programs, welding procedures, and QC protocols as mass production. This allows you to verify fit-up, review quality, and approve the process before committing to full-volume production. Prototype lead time is typically 7–10 days.
