Steel Structure Design Services
Steel structure design starts with the building use, span, height, loads, structural system, materials, applicable codes and review requirements. Design, detailing and shop drawings are separate services with separate responsibility boundaries.
Quick Specs
- Inputs
- Architectural drawings, use, span, height, loads and location
- Structural system
- Assessed against function, span and load conditions
- Materials
- Common grades such as Q235B / Q355B, confirmed by drawing
- Responsibility
- Design, detailing, fabrication and erection separated by contract
- Factory
- 25,000 m² Foshan base, 40,000-ton annual design capacity
- Experience
- Export projects in 50+ countries and regions
Capabilities
- Structural system and design inputs
- Dead, live, wind and equipment loads
- Connection concepts and member scope
- Calculation, model and drawing boundaries
- Detailing and fabrication interface
- Shipping and erection conditions
- Design changes and revision control
- Local-code and review interfaces
Define the design inputs
Design inputs usually include plans, elevations, sections, use, span, bay spacing, height, loads, materials and project location. Industrial buildings may also need crane, equipment and expansion information.
Incomplete inputs can change the structural system, member sizes, connection details and fabrication scope later in the project.
Design, detailing and shop drawings
Design defines the system, calculations and design responsibility. Detailing converts approved design intent into models, member information and material lists. Shop drawings support cutting, assembly, welding and inspection.
The three stages can connect, but the contract should confirm who calculates, who details, who approves shop drawings and who authorizes changes.
Structural system and loads
Portal frames, frames, trusses or spatial structures are selected against span, height, live loads, wind, cranes and equipment vibration. The same floor area can require very different steel quantities under different loads.
Projects with future expansion, heavy equipment or multi-storey use should reserve interfaces early to avoid later strengthening.
Connections and fabrication interface
Beam-column connections, bracing, diaphragms, stiffeners, bolts and welds affect not only structural behavior but also weld access, assembly sequence and shipping splits.
Complex joints, thick-plate welding and many site connections need earlier coordination between design, detailing and fabrication.
Models, calculations and drawings
The delivery scope can be assessed for calculations, 3D models, member drawings, connection details, material lists and erection information. Model depth, drawing language, file format and review points should be agreed before work starts.
Design, fabrication and site teams should use the same released revision.
Changes and revision control
Design changes should follow approved documents and record the affected scope and drawing revisions. Changes to materials, sections, connections or foundations must reach procurement, fabrication and dispatch.
Revision control keeps every party aware of the current issued document.
Review and responsibility boundaries
The design responsibility, review interface and applicability of local codes depend on the project location and contract. Design output does not replace statutory review, and detailing does not replace structural design responsibility.
FindingSteel supports detailing, fabrication, inspection and export delivery through its Foshan base and more than 20 years of industry experience; the design scope remains subject to project documents.
Information for an assessment
Provide architectural drawings, structural conditions, use, span, height, loads, materials, codes, location and required delivery milestones. Existing models or structural drawings should also be shared.
FindingSteel operates a 25,000 m² Foshan base with an annual design capacity of 40,000 tonnes and serves export projects in 50+ countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is design different from detailing?
Design covers the system, calculations and design responsibility. Detailing converts approved design intent into models, member information and material lists; shop drawings support fabrication.
What inputs are needed?
Plans, elevations, sections, use, span, height, loads, materials, applicable codes and project location. Industrial projects should include crane and equipment data.
Can design connect to fabrication?
Yes, when the project scope allows. Design responsibility, review interfaces, fabrication scope and delivery milestones must be confirmed separately.
How are overseas codes handled?
Local codes, review requirements and design responsibility must be confirmed by a qualified party in the project location. FindingSteel can coordinate fabrication and detailing interfaces.
Related Pages
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