Steel Construction Process

Question 1

How does the steel building frame begin?

Answer 1

a rough sketch by the architect

Question 2

How does the rough sketch evolve?

Answer 2

becomes a finished set of drawings by the structural engineer

Question 3

How are the structural drawings used?

Answer 3

used to prepare detailed shop drawings by the fabricator

Question 4

Who prepares the steel framing plan?

Answer 4

structural engineer

Question 5

What does the steel framing plan show?

Answer 5

shape, size and location of structural steel members

Question 6

What do shop drawings show?

Answer 6

configuration and connection details of each member

Question 7

Who reviews and approves the shop drawings?

Answer 7

architect and structural engineer

Question 8

What happens once the shop drawings are approved?

Answer 8

fabricator orders material and steel members are prepared for erection

Question 9

What does the erector do?

Answer 9

assembles structural steel members on site in accordance with shop drawings and construction documents

Question 10

What does the steel fabricator do?

Answer 10

prepares steel members and delivers them to the construction site for assembly

Question 11

How do workers prepare the steel for assembly?

Answer 11

cut to length, drill, punch, weld, and add angles, plates and other accessories to members as indicated on the approved shop drawings

Question 12

How are fabricated members stacked?

Answer 12

using overhead crane, awaiting transportation to the construction site

Question 13

How are steel members labeled?

Answer 13

individually labeled to correspond with information on the erection drawings so that each piece can be assembled in the proper location

Question 14

What does the erector do?

Answer 14

assembles steel members delivered to the construction site

Question 15

What is the difference between the fabricator and the erector?

Answer 15

may or may not be same entity

Question 16

What are the workers involved in steel assembly called?

Answer 16

ironworkers

Question 17

What is the most common floor and roof decking material?

Answer 17

corrugated steel decking laid over the framing

Question 18

How is decking connected to the framing members?

Answer 18

puddle-welded to framing members below

Question 19

What shapes and sizes does steel decking come in?

Answer 19

comes in a variety of profiles and depths to suit different load and span conditions

Question 20

What is the purpose of deformations in steel decking?

Answer 20

deformations allow structural bond between deck and concrete poured over it, to increase the strength of the deck/concrete floor assembly

Question 21

How are shear studs used?

Answer 21

welded to tops of beams, through metal decking

Question 22

What is the role of concrete in steel framing?

Answer 22

once concrete is poured, the beams, decking and concrete act together structurally to form a composite system

Question 23

What completes the structural floor or roof deck?

Answer 23

concrete placed over the metal decking

Question 24

What is used in concrete to increase resistance to cracking?

Answer 24

a grid of welded wire reinforcing

Question 25

How else is concrete used with steel decking?

Answer 25

precast hollow-core concrete slabs placed over steel members