Steel bearing plates of what thickness or less are permitted without milling?

The specification that allows steel bearing plates to be used without milling is typically set based on industry standards regarding the allowable thickness that can maintain flatness and surface integrity. In this case, steel bearing plates that are 2 inches thick or less can be utilized without the need for milling to achieve flat surfaces. This allowance is established to facilitate easier handling and installation while still ensuring the structural adequacy and performance of the plates in their intended applications.

When plates exceed this thickness, milling becomes necessary to ensure that the surfaces are sufficiently flat and capable of providing the necessary bearing capacity in their connections. Hence, understanding this threshold of 2 inches helps practitioners in the field comply with best practices and regulations while also recognizing when additional processing may be required for thicker plates.