Structural steel detailing is the process of creating highly detailed drawings for steel erectors, steel fabricators. These include estimates, drawings, plans, reports and similarly important documents that are used for erecting or making steel members. Steel members like steel trusses, beams, braces, metal decking, stairs, joists and columns may go through structural steel detailing.
And so, structural steel detailing is very important in a lot of different industries like plants, building construction, ship building, marine, naval construction, and building construction among others. Anything that is big enough to require structural steel will also require structural steel detailing work. Further, the inputs of architects, fabricators, engineers and contractors are coalesced into structural steel detailing. Because detailers are not the ones responsible for the integrity or design of steel members, structural engineers as well as architects would have to review any structural steel detailing work before it is released.
There are two types of structural steel detailing drawings: erection drawings and shop drawings. Erection drawings help show its users the correct way and site of placing fabricated steel members. These often include detailed information and specifications on all processes involved like bolting, welding or putting in wedge anchors.
Shop drawings, on the other hand, are used by steel fabricators in manufacturing steel members as structural steel detailing include requirements for making these members. Structural steel detailing usually has information on specifications, dimensions, sizes, materials needed, and other similar information.
That is why it is very important to have correct and accurate structural steel detailing that complies with the standards and protocols made by the American Institute of Steel Construction, among other institutions.
Structural steel detailing is usually done with computers and special software like AutoCAD and other similar computer aided design or computer aided drafting applications. Nowadays, you can view these drawings in 3D using the same software.
Structural steel detailing is a difficult and vital process. To be a successful detailer, you should have knowledge in geometry, trigonometry, drafting, drawing, logic, reasoning as well as above average communication and visualization skills in order to create accurate drawings that are delivered on time. On top of that general engineering knowledge and a working knowledge on steel fabrication would be needed in the long run. In the United States, most structural steel detailers are self taught, or have only a general certification program that touches on CAD operation. Structural steel detailing is only offered in a few colleges. Because of these, it would be very difficult to find inexpensive personnel who can handle detailing projects 24/7. You could, however, outsource your structural steel detailing projects to companies that provide these services reliably and cost-effectively. Making it very easy to get the services of a competent structural steel detailing team that could carry out your requirements at a fraction of the price of getting in-house staff.
About the Author:
Ian Hunter is a project manager at Gore Steel Detailing.
Gore Steel Detailing strives to provide top quality structural steel detailing services to steel
fabricators, architects and structural engineers throughout the United States. Our structural
steel detailing jobs include commercial construction projects, estimates, and residential projects.
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