This session explores research findings in the following industrial trends 1) the use of fewer, larger diameter rods in double-nut anchor bolt connections for improved fatigue performance in highway structures, and 2) the use of metal-arc collaborative robotic welding and additive manufacturing compared to traditional submerged-arc welding. The anchor bolt study explores ASTM F1554 Gr. 36, 55, and 105 rods up to 4-inches in diameter and utilization of Type 1 ASTM F3394 reaction washers. Second, though the industry often shies away from technologies other than submerged arc welding, the workhorse in bridge fabrication, improved control of the weld zone with robotics can result in improved uniformity of the weldment morphology, reducing localized hardness and potential brittleness in technologies like fluxed core and gas metal arc welding.
Source: NASCC Year: 2026
Speaker(s): Ryan Slein, Ph.D., Hizb Sajid, Ph.D., and Fang Wang, Ph.D.