Steel detailing is, in general, the creation of different drawings meant for steel fabricators who produce the respective steel members. A steel detailer, or simply a detailer, is required to interpret the structural and architectural engineering drawings so as to get comprehensive knowledge of the overall design of a structure or building. This information is then used by the detailer to produce an accurate, unequivocal, and clear steel detail for steelwork fabrication.
Role of a steel detailer
Steel detailers use both an engineer and architect’s plans to create shop drawings or steel detail that are then forwarded to the fabricator. The whole setup works with the architect designing the overall look, and the engineer calculating all the locations and required sizes of steel to create a strong and safe structure. The detailer pitches in at this point, and uses the two sets of drawings to provide steel detail drawings with exact dimensions for every steel member to be used in the construction.
Detailers play a very important role in any large construction project. As such, he or she has to be in complete know-how of guidelines and regulations in every aspect of the construction. In general, a detailer’s skill-set should include OSHA, minimum bearing limits, AISC, and other common practices/standards. A skilled detailer can design feasible steel detail drawings for even the most complicated project.
Software drawings
The advances in technology have made it possible to make structural designs using computers. AutoCAD and Revit are two of the common names in the detailing industry for making steel detail drawings in computers. Such software have dedicated tools that make it easier to make drawings, and also give users the flexibility to make steel detail diagrams.
Traditionally, manual drafting methods were used to accomplish steel detailing, and included a lot of equipments like pencils, drafting tools, pencils, triangles, circular templates, mathematical tables, and other similar calculation aids. Computer aided drafting (CAD) has replaced all of this with a software that does the same work, and with even more options for flexibility and easy designing.
AutoCAD is one such software from Autodesk, which is based in the United States. AutoCAD comes with many internal options and tweaks that can be done to make the final design accurate and neat, and in less time as well. This proprietary software allows detailers to make steel detail drawings in both 2D and 3D modeling, giving them a better platform to check their drawings.
Revit is another such software that aids steel detailers. It gives comprehensive options for designing any type of steel detail diagram. This software provides more options than AutoCAD and is the preferred software for designing when working on larger setups.
Steel detailing needs skills in different subjects like drafting, spatial visualization, trigonometry, geometry, and communication. Apart from these, practitioners should have basic knowledge of the general principles in engineering. They should also know the methods of miscellaneous and structural steel fabrication. When using AutoCAD or Revit, the detailer should posses basic skills in computer use and have an idea on how to use the software.
CAD-Sourcing has undertaken various steel detailing jobs. Contact us for a free quote!
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