Integrating Steel Presented By: Hala Ali Nabil Mohamed Ali By: John Jurewicz Web Address: articles/tools_ articles.html Topic Number:155 Date:20 June 2001 Date:20 June 2001

Integrating Steel If you have experienced delays in detailing and procuring steel, it may be because: 1- the design documents were difficult for the 1- the design documents were difficult for the fabrication detailer to interpret. fabrication detailer to interpret. 2- Multiple changes issued after the detailing process 2- Multiple changes issued after the detailing process began may have made it difficult for the began may have made it difficult for the draftsperson to keep up. draftsperson to keep up. 3- The specified steel sections were unavailable from 3- The specified steel sections were unavailable from warehouse suppliers and too unusual for the mill warehouse suppliers and too unusual for the mill to fabricate quickly. to fabricate quickly. It is difficult for architects to appreciate the burden on the fabrication detailer when something as simple as a column is relocated It is difficult for architects to appreciate the burden on the fabrication detailer when something as simple as a column is relocated

Maybe not much from the architect's perspective: the column simply had to move because it conflicted with circulation or equipment placement. On architectural drawings, the relocation can be done without much fuss. But to the fabricator who has just completed checking the dimensions of the multitude of steel shapes and members about to be fabricated, this simple request can be a nightmare But to the fabricator who has just completed checking the dimensions of the multitude of steel shapes and members about to be fabricated, this simple request can be a nightmare At the design/build firm Mr. Clier, we are experimenting with integrating the architect's model with those of the engineer and the fabricator to make everything flow more smoothly. This is enabling us to improve the efficiency of designing, detailing, and expediting the procurement of the steel frame

Better Efficiencies through Software Technology is now available to make change requests and without the fuss of conventional drafting and checking. But you have to make sure the fabricator not only has the technology, but is skilled at using it Most architectural, engineering, and design firms produce drawings (with or without CAD software). This is time consuming and especially cumbersome when design changes dictate adjustments to column grids, requiring that coordination with equipment clearances be rechecked

Parametric models, or 3D digital constructions, are proving to be more efficient at rendering and discovering conflicts, but they still pose a problem: When changes are made to the model, how does the fabricator know what has changed? Now, software technologies are emerging to solve this dilemma Now, software technologies are emerging to solve this dilemma Structural Desktop converts structural analysis files to 3D objects. Image: Dale Brasuell

Overview of the Process The architect and engineer produce documents that are developed enough to delineate project scope and obtain the building permit. However, many connection details, such as whether to use bolts or welds, are left up to the detailer. After the architect has created the parametric model and the engineer has specified structural shapes and sizes, the fabricators download the model and periodic changes that highlight what was changed. To be qualified on a digital-model-based project, fabricators must be trained on and have been using the system for at least 24 months.

Preferred Software for Architects the "best of breed" parametric modeling programs for the various trades, They are: for architects, Revit and Bricsnet Architecturals; for structural engineers, RAM Steel and Structural Desktop; for fabricators, SDS/2 and Xsteel. Key to the use of all these systems is user training Revit models "intelligent" building components, views, and annotations. Revit supports design changes anywhere, anytime by instantly updating the entire document set whenever a design modification is made. Bricsnet Architecturals operates with AutoCAD and IntelliCAD, allowing you to take advantage of 3D object modeling in your familiar 2D environment without additional applets

Software for Structural Engineers RAM Steel, a module of the RAM Structural System, is the predominant steel design package for engineers in North America. It performs most of the tedious structural analysis work. Martin Design, Inc. of Denver imports an AutoCAD model for the Silver Bear Lodge into the RAM Structural System. Image: Martin Design, Inc

RAM Steel is unique in that it allows the engineer to lay out the framing systems in three dimensions; then the software applies floor loads and wind or earthquake loads, automatically distributes those loads to the appropriate members, and performs analysis, member optimization, and design, and produces 2D working drawings. The RAM Steel software automatically distributes floor loads and sizes all the floor framing members, including beams, joists, and columns. Image: Martin Design, Inc.

Recently, RAM Steel was enhanced to export its designs in a CIM steel Integration Standards (CIS/2) format, allowing engineers to transfer data electronically directly to the software used by detailers and fabricators We believe this technology will become more commonplace over the next several years. Also useful is Structural Desktop for converting the results of analysis to 2D drawing files. RAM Steel automatically applies earthquake and/or wind loads and analyzes the 3D lateral load resisting system. Image: Martin Design, Inc.

The engineer studies the analysis and design results and interactively refines the model until satisfied with the design. Image: Martin Design, Inc. RAM Steel calculates the foundation loads from the model's load database and designs the combined and/or spread footings. Image: Martin Design, Inc.

Finally, RAM Steel generates CAD files for floor framing plans, frame elevations, column schedules, and foundation plans. A CIS/2 translator allows for direct export to detailing systems such as SDS/2 and Xsteel. Image: Martin Design, Inc Structural Desktop dimensions and trims the modeled members to fit. Image: Dale Brasuell

Software for Fabricators SDS/2 from Design Data automates details, computer numerically controlled (CNC) data, inventory control. Design Data's products reduce the time spent to produce drawings, order material, and fabricate steel. At the same time, SDS/2 automatically designs connections. Design Data's products reduce the time spent to produce drawings, order material, and fabricate steel. At the same time, SDS/2 automatically designs connections. X Steel provides an integration of the model, producing reports, detail drawings, material lists. These new techniques allow the fabricator to get into the detail very quickly. The time required for this procurement process can often be reduced from 20 weeks to less than four. SDS/2 automates the detailing and 2D drawing from a 3D model. Image: Design Data