These are required in rigid frames, suspended-span construction, and continuous beams. Such splices are usually located at points of counterflexure or at points where moments are relatively small. Therefore, splices are of moderate size. Flanges and web may be spliced with plates or butt welded.
For one reason or another it is sometimes expedient to make a long beam from two short lengths. A welded joint usually is selected, because the beams can be joined together without splice plates and without loss of section because
of bolt holes. Also, from the viewpoint of appearance, the welded joint is hardly discernible.
Usually, the joint must be 100% efficient, to develop the full section. Figure 7.55 illustrates such a detail. The back side of the initial weld is gouged or chipped out; access holes in the beam webs facilitate proper edge preparation and depositing of the weld metal in the flange area in line with the web. Such holes are usually left open, because plugs would add undesirable residual stresses to the joint.
