Structural Steel Detailing Services

What's Included

What Our Structural Steel Detailing Service Covers

Our team handles the full scope of structural steel detailing — from the first pass of a model all the way through final IFC-stamped drawings. We work from engineer-stamped structural drawings, specifications, and project-specific standards to produce a complete drawing package.

Shop drawings form the foundation of everything. We produce individual member drawings showing exact dimensions, hole patterns, weld preparations, surface treatments, and piece mark callouts. These are the drawings your shop floor uses to fabricate each component, and accuracy here directly impacts whether pieces fit together on site.

Connection detail drawings are where we spend a significant part of our time. Moment connections, simple shear connections, base plates, braced frame gussets, column splices — each connection type has its own set of requirements and each project brings its own geometry challenges. We model every connection in 3D first, check clearances, bolt access, and erection sequence before a single drawing line goes down.

Anchor bolt plans are prepared for every column location, clearly showing bolt projection, grout pocket dimensions, setting dimensions from baselines, and column orientation. These are critical for the concrete contractor who places the bolts before any steel arrives on site.

Erection drawings give the ironworkers their roadmap. We sequence the steel by erection phase, show plumbing directions, temporary bracing requirements, and provide clear piece mark schedules so the raising gang knows exactly where every stick of steel goes.

Material take-offs (MTOs) from our models give your estimating and procurement teams a precise list of every section, plate, bolt, and weld consumable needed for the job.

Our Steel Detailing Process — From Drawing Issue to Fabrication

Every project starts with a proper handoff. We review the structural engineer's drawings and specifications carefully before touching any modeling software. If there are ambiguities — missing dimensions, unclear connection types, or inconsistencies between plans and sections — we flag them early in a formal RFI log. Catching these issues at the start saves far more time than discovering them mid-fabrication.

Once we have a clear picture of the project, we build the 3D model in Tekla Structures or AutoCAD depending on project requirements and client preference. The model becomes the single source of truth — all drawings are extracted from it, which means dimensional consistency is guaranteed across the entire drawing set.

We run internal quality checks before anything leaves our team. A senior detailer reviews every drawing against the structural documents, checks connection geometry, confirms bill of materials counts, and verifies that erection drawings reference the correct piece marks. Only after that review do we issue drawings for engineer and fabricator approval.

Revisions are managed cleanly. We track every change, update the model, regenerate affected drawings, and issue a clear revision history. You always know which revision you are working with and what changed between issues.

Standards and Software We Work To

Our detailing follows AISC standards for structural steel connections and fabrication tolerances. We also reference AWS D1.1 for welding symbols and weld specifications, ensuring your welders and inspectors are on the same page.

For US projects, we follow AISC Code of Standard Practice and NISD guidelines. For UK and Australian projects, we adjust to BS 5950 or AS 4100 as required. International clients are always welcome — we've worked on projects in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Europe where local codes apply.

Software-wise, Tekla Structures is our primary modeling platform. Tekla's connection library and IFC export capability make it ideal for complex, multi-discipline projects where coordination with concrete and MEP models is needed. For simpler projects or clients who prefer it, we work in AutoCAD and Advance Steel.

Why Fabricators and Contractors Choose Us

Speed matters in steel construction. A project waiting on drawings is a project losing money. We structure our teams to hit agreed turnaround times — typically 5 to 10 business days for a straightforward building, with complex projects scoped and scheduled upfront so there are no surprises.

Our detailers have backgrounds in fabrication shops, erection crews, and structural engineering offices. That cross-discipline experience shows up in drawings that are genuinely practical — not just technically correct but actually easy to use in the field and on the shop floor.

We're also a cost-effective alternative to in-house detailing. When you outsource to us, you're not carrying the overhead of full-time detailers during slow periods. You scale up when projects demand it and scale back when they don't.

Project Types We Handle

Commercial buildings — office towers, retail centers, mixed-use developments, and parking structures make up a large portion of our work. Multi-story construction often involves moment frames, eccentrically braced frames, and complex transfer beams that require careful detailing.

Industrial facilities — warehouses, manufacturing plants, distribution centers, and equipment support structures are another area of strength. Industrial steel tends to involve heavy sections, large base plates, and complex mezzanine and platform systems.

Institutional projects — schools, hospitals, civic buildings — often come with tight tolerances and strict submittal requirements. We're comfortable in that environment.

Bridges and infrastructure — we handle highway bridges, pedestrian bridges, and industrial conveyor structures. These require a higher level of precision, connection design awareness, and understanding of field erection constraints.

Renovation and expansion projects — matching existing steel, working around in-place conditions, and detailing new-to-existing connections requires experience and care. We've done plenty of this type of work.

Frequently Asked Questions About Steel Detailing

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Standards We Follow

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