construction
The erection of structural steelwork consists of the assembly of steel components into a frame on site. The processes involve lifting and placing components into position, then connecting them together. Generally, this is achieved through bolting but sometimes site welding is used. The assembled frame needs to be aligned before bolting up is completed, and the structure is handed over to the principal contractor.
Often the ability to complete these processes safely, quickly, and economically is influenced significantly by early decisions made during design long before erection commences. It is important that designers clearly understand the impact that their decisions can have; “buildability” is a valid design objective
Planning for Construction
To achieve the client’s aspirations on cost, program, and quality, planning for construction should start at the very beginning of the design process. Such planning should consider the construction sequence, the design factors that affect buildability, and site practice in terms of a typical erection plant.
structural steel design
Steel design, or more specifically, structural steel design, is an area of structural engineering used to design steel structures. These structures include schools, houses, bridges, commercial centers, tall buildings, warehouses, aircraft, ships, and stadiums.
Design factors
Four design factors to be considered that contribute to buildability are:
- Repetition and standardization: There are two aspects to standardization: repetition of the same building type (e.g. the portal shed) and common/standard details for connections.
- Achievable tolerances: If “tight” tolerances are specified then special controls will be needed and possibly specially-engineered details.
- Frame type: Here, the primary choice is between braced frames or continuous frames
- Floor systems: For multi-story frames, the choice of floor system will affect the erection sequence as it determines the stability of the part erected structure.
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