Fabricators combine plates and nest them to realize economy and minimize scrap. Flange plates are flame cut to width and several items need to be considered in design:

• Avoid transition in flange width. Fabricators prefer to weld slabs and then strip.  This simple request eliminates over 50% of the crane moves to prepare flanges. It also economizes non-destructive testing costs by eliminating many run-off tabs in the weld process, tab removal, and grinding operations.
  
  
• Curved flanges can be cut to a common radii and heat adjusted to final shape after the girders are built.
  
  
• The center flange plate of a girder should be a common length across the bridge width.
  
  
• Avoid sizing flanges in increments of 1/8" thickness.

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