Flange shear connection for precast concrete structures

A method for installing flange connections for precast concrete structures comprising:

• providing a plurality of adjacent precast concrete members which includes a platform having a center panel and a first and second flange, each flange having a flange bottom surface and a flange end, the flanges extending outward from the center panel in opposing directions, the first flange end of one concrete member being disposed adjacent to the second flange end of the adjacent precast concrete member;
• providing a first and second bent plate, each bent plate having a horizontal member attached to the bottom surface of the first and second flanges respectively and a vertical member perpendicular to the horizontal member, each vertical member having vertical member openings;
• providing a spacer plate having spacer plate openings;
• providing a plurality of fasteners;
• ensuring the first flange is aligned with the second flange;
• fastening the first bent plate to the bottom surface of the first flange;
• fastening the second bent plate to the bottom surface of the second flange;
• placing the spacer plate between the first bent plate vertical member and the second bent plate vertical member with the spacer plate openings aligning with first bent plate vertical member openings and the second bent plate vertical member openings, wherein the spacer plate extends in a vertical direction from about a lower edge of the first bent plate vertical member to a distance below the first bent plate horizontal member allowing the first and second bent plate vertical members to flex at an upper portion of the first and second bent plate vertical members, thereby allowing the first and second flange ends to move toward and away from one another;
• placing the fasteners through the openings of the first bent plate vertical member openings, the spacer plate openings and second bent plate vertical member openings;
• and
• tightening the fasteners.