On Tue, 23 Mar 2021 09:19:51 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" wrote:

If welding plates on the outside of the channel flanges to thicken and
strengthen them at the central splice is technically (if not economically)
sound, they provide much more thread engagement for splice plate bolts in
tapped holes, that don't interfere with the trolley wheels rolling on the
lower flange.

All the examples I've found of bolted beam splices accept the loss of net
flange area at the bolt holes and instead suggest locating the splices away
from the most heavily stressed parts of the beam.

A patent here that uses wedges or teeth on plates and beams that would
transfer stress over a broader area:

https://patents.google.com/patent/US20030129026A1/en

Maybe poke around in the patents for a bit, give you some more ideas to
work with...

--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI