Table of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- What happens when steel detailing is not accurate?
- Why incomplete design information causes delays?
- How poor coordination between teams wastes money?
- Why ignoring erection sequence creates on-site chaos?
- How low detailing accuracy increases rework?
- Why does the lack of BIM slow down steel projects?
- Conclusion
- Frequently asked questions
Key Takeaways
- Steel detailing mistakes mainly happen due to poor planning and coordination
- Complete design input saves time and eliminates rework
- Erection-friendly drawings aid in better construction site execution
- High accuracy minimizes fabrication losses
- BIM application enhances coordination and visibility
The errors in steel detailing cause project delays, cost increases, and site confusion. The majority of problems occur because of inadequate planning, lack of data, or ineffective coordination. Structural steel detailing services can be used to make projects run faster, have less rework, and be safer when done correctly. In this blog, we will discuss the 5 most frequent errors and the ways to prevent them practically.
What happens when steel detailing is not accurate?
The fabrication and erection depend on steel detailing. All bolts, beams, and connections rely on proper drawings. Nevertheless, a minor mistake can cause huge problems.
In case of inaccuracy in detailing:
- Stopping or retarding fabrication.
- Materials get wasted.
- Site teams face confusion.
- Project timelines stretch
- Costs increase unexpectedly
Companies such as 12 Meter Engineering have realized that most project losses in steel projects are as a result of avoidable detailing errors rather than material problems. Therefore, early knowledge of such errors will save time and money.
Why incomplete design information causes delays?
One of the largest causes of steel detailing failure is incomplete input drawings. Numerous projects begin to be detailed prior to design completion.
Some of the most frequently omitted information includes:
- Load data
- Connection requirements
- Architectural changes
- Updated structural revisions.
Moreover, drawing requires regular updates when the detailers are working with incomplete data. This leads to rework, confusion, and delays in approvals.
How to avoid this mistake
- Begins to be detailed after design freeze.
- Have a clear revision control system.
- Share updated drawings with all teams
- Carry out a pre-detailing review meeting.
Additionally, the design validation is done by experienced companies such as 12 Meter Engineering before the commencement of the detailing process, therefore avoiding the need to make corrections later.
How poor coordination between teams wastes money?
Steel projects have several teams of engineers, detailers, fabricators, and site crews. In the case of poor coordination, there are more mistakes.
One of the problems is the lack of correspondence between drawings and site conditions. This is usually the case when there are communication gaps between detailers and fabricators.
Poor coordination in international projects is more costly. As an example, mistakes in steel fabrication drawings services in the USA may result in rejected parts and losses in shipping.
How to avoid this mistake
- Conduct frequent coordination meetings.
- Share drawings in a common platform
- Match fabrication requirements with detailing outputs.
- All approvals have one point of contact.
However, effective communication will save time and eliminate blame games in the implementation process.
Why ignoring erection sequence creates on-site chaos?
Numerous steel drawings appear right on paper but not on the ground. This is because of a simple reason: erection sequence is not considered.
Without erection planning:
- Cranes wait idle.
- Parts are received out of sequence.
- Temporary supports are augmented.
- Safety risks rise.
Furthermore, Projects that involve the steel structure erection drawing service in Australia pay much attention to erection logic to facilitate a smooth site execution.
How to avoid this mistake
- Sequence of planned erection in detail.
- Include explicit erection notes on drawings.
- coordinate with engineers on site.
- Check crane access and lifting limits.
Moreover, drawings that are erection-friendly minimize confusion on the site and enhance safety.
How low detailing accuracy increases rework?
Steel detailing is not a matter of choice. Fabrication rejection can be caused by even minor mistakes in sizes, the size of bolts, or levels.
Such common problems with accuracy are the following:
- Wrong section sizes
- Incorrect hole alignment
- Missing connection details
- Irregular scales of drawing.
Therefore, such errors raise the cost of rework and postpone the fabrication schedules.
How to avoid this mistake
- Only experienced detailers should be used.
- Follow the international standards of detailing.
- Carry out internal quality checks.
- Check drawings prior to issue.
Moreover, the companies that have a track record of experience have a stringent checking system to identify mistakes at an early stage.
Why does the lack of BIM slow down steel projects?
Most of the projects continue to use 2D drawings. This might appear cost-saving in the short run, but it leads to issues in coordination in the future.
Without BIM:
- Clashes remain hidden.
- On site, design conflicts are manifested.
- Revisions increase
- Project visibility reduces
Therefore, a professional BIM services provider in the USA assists in the detection of clashes at an early stage and enhances interdisciplinary coordination.
How to avoid this mistake
- Steel detailing with 3D BIM.
- Carry out clash detection preceding fabrication.
- Distribute shared models to all stakeholders.
- Update models with every revision
Consequently, BIM minimizes surprises and enhances the general project speed.
Conclusion
Steel detailing mistakes cost time and money, but they are completely avoidable. Projects are run smoothly with the right planning, coordination, accuracy, and use of technology. The teams with experience, such as 12 Meter Engineering, concentrate on quality checks and effective communication to provide credible results.
Additionally, the selection of the appropriate method of detailing, as well as the reliable structural steel detailing services, will guarantee the acceleration of the process, the reduction of the cost, and the success of the project in the long term.
Frequently asked questions
The steel detailing provides accurate fabrication, easy erection, and reduced site delays.
Yes, little mistakes can lead to significant rework and wastage of materials.
BIM assists in identifying clashes at an early stage and enhances coordination to a greater extent.
