Can you imagine a skyscraper being made without steel? Possibly not, be it the eiffel tower or the uncannily burj khalifa floating over the sand, most of the greatest buildings in the world have undergone some structural steel detailing to stand strong. The structural steel detailing plays an irreplaceable role in the strength and integrity of these structures.

So what exactly is the structural steel detailing?

Steel detailing is the process of providing a detailed drawing that covers every component to be used for building, installing and erecting a steel structure. It helps the fabricators to understand the project’s requirements and steel design. Since the steel detailing is done by the steel fabricators, the final draft should be perfect in terms of the material specification and design.

Today we are going to cover the types of steel detailing commonly used in the engineering and architectural design domain.

Let’s get started!

• Precast Concrete Detailing

It is defined as the steel detailing required for the precast concrete components used in the construction of a structure. You can reduce the cost spent in precast component production with actual drawings that lead to precision in delivering the end product.

It includes the dimension, connection detailing and reinforcement details.

• Welding and Bolt Detail Drawings

These drawings display information about the welded and bolted connections used in the structure. It provides the details of the type of weld or bolt used along with methods of joining and the installation process.

• Structural Steel Framing Plans

A network of beams and columns are used in construction to create a support system for the wall, floors and roof of the building – these are called structural steel frames. The structural steel framing plan offers the layout of this system. It elaborates the placements of the beams, columns and the other related parts of the structural elements.

• Cladding & Façade Steel Detailing

After the structural detailing is complete the building also requires an external layer over the wall to provide insulation and also enhance its aesthetic beauty. The cladding forms the material that is used for covering the bare facade of the building. Without the right material, a building can become vulnerable to weather elements and wear off with time.

A 2D or 3D drawing is prepared for the building ‘s external walls, this is known as the facade detailing; it includes information such as connection, fabrication and installation detailing.

• Stair and Handrail Detailing

These drawings include the detailing for the stairs, handrail and other components. The drawings must follow the safety standards and also ensure that all the components are interconnected properly. It will provide information such as the specifications of the stair and handrail, material requirements, connections.

• Steel Assembly Drawings

The assembly drawings tell the fabricators how the various steel components are assembled together. It provides you details of the components as well as how they are connected. In short, it has the order of the assembly and the component list. It generally includes the part, dimensions and instruction of assembly.

• Connection Details

Connection in steel structures are components which join the different steel members with one another. Connection drawing showcases the detailing of the connections within the structure.

The drawing will include the types of connection required in the building. Since the structural integrity of the building along with how it handles loads is dependent on the connectors, choosing the right material is indispensable for the success of a project.

These generally provide the specifications of the welds, bolts, and other essential connectors.

• Erection Drawings

The erection drawings provide details of how the structure will be erected onsite.

It details the sequence in which the components will be joined and assembled.

So for that purpose, the erection drawing includes the placement, alignment and assembly of the steel members. An erection drawing integrates the floor plan, dimensions, connection types, list of other related drawings and the instructions for the erection. It is mainly used by the installation team.

• Steel Shop Drawing

Steel shop drawings are detailed drawings crafted by the contactors or engineers for the fabricators. They contain the information on how to fabricate and assemble the steel elements(beams, columns, beams, etc.). The shop drawings are a simplified version with the only information that the fabricators actually need for the execution of the project. It contains details such as dimensions, material specifications, weld details, and bolt patterns.

FAQs

1. What is the cost to detail a structural steel project?

The cost of structural steel detailing depends on the project size, complexity, scope of work, turnaround time and the location of the project. For instance a mutli-storied building or industrial project would require greater assets than a single housing unit. For exact cost you will have to consult our experts, who offer free consultation to first understand your requirement and then provide the right quotation.

2. How to choose a structural steel detailer?

Choosing the right structural steel detailer requires understanding your project needs and selecting a provider with a proven track record of quality and adherence to standards. You can opt for our experts and get comprehensive steel detailing services that guarantee satisfaction and industry compliance.

Conclusion

Steel detailing is the meticulous process of creating detailed, precise drawings that specify every component needed for the construction, fabrication, and installation of a steel structure. These drawings are essential for fabricators, as they provide clear instructions on how to assemble and erect the structure, ensuring that each piece fits correctly and meets design requirements. In this blog we covered all the common types of structural steel detailing so you know exactly what you want while you dive into a new project.