Flange Plates

Flange plates are flat steel plates welded or bolted to the flanges of gantry bridge beams to create rigid connections between beam sections or to attach cross-members. They distribute loads across joints, prevent beam twisting under asymmetric loads, and maintain geometric alignment in portal crane and gantry systems. These plates are critical for structural integrity in material handling equipment, ensuring uniform stress distribution and preventing fatigue failure at connection points.

Flange plates work by creating a continuous load path across beam connections through shear transfer and moment resistance. When beams are subjected to bending loads, the plates transmit forces between adjacent sections via welded or bolted connections, preventing relative movement. They increase the effective flange area at joints, reducing stress concentrations and distributing loads to prevent local buckling or deformation.