On Thursday, Febuary 18, 1999 bend tests was performed on the HP14x73 splice connection at Versabar, Inc. in Belle Chasse, Louisiana. The tests were performed by simply supporting the ends of the connection and applying a load at the center. The first test applied the load about the major axis and the second test applied the load about the minor axis. The loads used in the tests were the maximum allowable loads that an HP14x73 could carry in bending for the actual span length of the connection. The span length for bending about the major axis was measured to be 10'-6" which equates to an allowable load of 80,700 pounds. The span length for bending about the minor axis was measured to be 9'2" and this equates to an allowable load of 35,200 pounds. Each of these loads were applied to the splice connection and held for five minutes.

The results of the test showed that the connection was able to withstand the maximum allowable load in bending about both the major axis and the minor axis of the connection without any residual movement and is thus deemed acceptable.

LANIER & ASSOCIATES CONSULTING ENGINEERS, INC.