What is the tolerance on sweep for curved girders?
Permissible variations in sweep for horizontally curved welded plate girders are specified in AWS D1.1-2004 Section 5.23.5. However, because the method of measurement for this sweep dimension is not defined, the tolerance is sometimes misapplied. The permissible variation specified is the deviation of the theoretical mid-ordinate from a chord through the ends of a single fabricated girder section. If it is required to hold the ordinate of additional points along the beam within a certain tolerance, these requirements should be specified in the contract documents. Note, however, that most girders have sufficient lateral flexibility to easily permit the attachment of diaphragms, cross-frames, lateral bracing, etc., without damaging the structural member or its attachment.
