Steel Detailing | Precast Detailing | Estimation

Month: June 2024

  • Ascham College – Streamlining Plant Room Construction for Safety and Efficiency

    Ascham College – Streamlining Plant Room Construction for Safety and Efficiency

    In a recent project, we encountered a challenge with a plant room constructed from SHS members, featuring grating on both the floor and the roof.

    Problem 1:

    The original structural drawings specified vertical splice plates bolted together. However, these splice plates would protrude through the floor & roof gratings, creating a potential trip hazard.

    Upon identifying this issue, we notified the structural engineer, who then changed the bolted connections to site-welded connections. While this solution addressed the trip hazard, it introduced a new problem: site welding approximately 40 splices would be both costly and time-consuming.

    When this issue was discussed with the fabricator, they proposed shop welding the SHS frames into just two large assemblies for the entire plant room which they had the capacity to transport as large units. This approach significantly reduced the number of site welds required.

    Problem 2:

    However, another challenge arose: these large assemblies were to be galvanised and were too big for the galvanising bath. We consulted with the fabricator regarding the maximum size of the galvanising bath and suggested subsequently splitting the plant room assemblies accordingly. This adjustment reduced the number of site welds to around 20, making the process more efficient.

    Two primary problems were identified and solved:

    1. The bolted splice causing a trip hazard: Transitioning to welded connections resolved this safety concern.
    2. Assemblies larger than the galvanising bath: Adjusting the assembly size to fit the galvanising bath ensured the integrity of the galvanising process.

    By identifying and rectifying these issues at the planning stage, we saved significant time and money.

    If you’re interested in having me (Dhileepan) manage your project, please send a quote request to our principal at koshy@tek1.com.au and mention that you want Dhileepan to manage your project.

  • Today I learned : Metal Grating

    What is Grating:

    Metal grating is a framework made from metal bars, plates or mesh arranged in a grid pattern. It allows for the passage of light, air and water while providing a strong platform.

    Types of Gratings:

    1. Bar Grating:

    Bar grating is composed of a series of parallel bars joined by perpendicular crossbars connected using methods like welding, riveting, or press-locking. Bar grating is the most common type of metal grating.

    2. Expanded Metal Grating:

    Expanded metal grating created by cutting and stretching a sheet of metal, resulting in a mesh with diamond-shaped openings. The resulting diamond-shaped pattern creates a slip-resistant surface.

    3. Wire Mesh Grating:

    Wire Mesh Grating is produced by using rows and columns of intersecting steel wires forming a grid-like pattern. This grating offers excellent load-bearing capacity due to its grid structure.

    4. Safety Grating:

    Safety grating features a serrated or perforated surface that is created by forming and punching the grating. The primary function of safety grating is to prevent slips and falls, especially in wet or oily conditions.


    Functionality of Metal Grating:

    1. Structural Support: Metal grating provides a strong and stable platform, capable of supporting significant weight. It’s commonly used in walkways, platforms, and mezzanines.
    2. Drainage and Ventilation: The open design of metal grating allows for efficient drainage and airflow, making it ideal for outdoor applications and environments requiring ventilation.
    3. Safety: Specific types of grating, such as safety grating, offer enhanced slip resistance, which is crucial in preventing accidents in wet or oily conditions.
    4. Weight Reduction: Metal grating offers a high strength-to-weight ratio, making it an excellent choice for applications where minimizing weight is essential.
    5. Corrosion Resistance: Grating made from materials like stainless steel or aluminum is highly resistant to corrosion, suitable for use in harsh environments.

    Applications of Metal Grating

    1. Industrial Flooring: Metal grating is extensively used in factories, warehouses, and plants, providing durable and safe flooring solutions.
    2. Drain Covers and Trench Grates: The open structure of metal grating makes it perfect for covering drains and trenches, allowing water to pass through while keeping debris out.
    3. Stair Treads: Metal grating is often used for stair treads, providing a non-slip surface that enhances safety in both indoor and outdoor staircases.
    4. Marine and Offshore Platforms: The durability and corrosion resistance of metal grating make it suitable for marine environments, where it is used on ships, offshore platforms, and docks.
    5. Public Infrastructure: Metal grating is used in various public infrastructure projects, including pedestrian bridges, park benches, and street furniture.

    Sources :

    What is Metal Grating? Types and Uses of Metal Gratings – What Is Piping

  • Today I learned : Eye Bolts

    Today I learned : Eye Bolts

    While conversing with the team leader about the construction of buildings, he mentioned the use of eye bolts for lifting purposes.

    What is an Eye Bolt:

    Eye bolt is a type of bolt that contains a loop or eye at one end and threaded shank at the other end with or without shoulder between them. They are designed to be used as secure connection point in lifting systems. The threaded shank is anchored into the metal surface and the eye or loop is attached with ropes, cables or other rigging.

    Types of Eye Bolts:

    1.Regular Eye bolts:

    Simplest type of eye bolt featuring a loop and a threaded shank without any additional features. They are suitable for vertical lifting applications with minimal to none angular forces.

    2.Shoulder Eye Bolts:

    Shoulder eye have a shoulder below the eye which provides extra support. This shoulder prevents the bolts from deformation or bending under angular loads.

    3.Swivel Eye Bolts:

    Swivel eye bolts feature a swivel mechanism between the eye and the threaded shank, allowing for rotation. This minimizes the chances of twisting and potential harm to lifting gear, rendering it well-suited for situations demanding adaptability.

    4.Lag Eye Bolts:

    Although called a lag eye bolt, it is essentially a screw with an eye and threaded shank. They are specifically designed for wood and is directly screwed into the wood. Its load capacity depends upon the wood’s type and condition.

    5.Machinery Eye Bolts:

    These bolts are specifically designed to use in machinery. These have a short shank length and large eye diameter. These bolts are often used as permanent lifting points in machinery.

    Applications of Eye Bolts:

    • Construction: Utilized in lifting materials, securing scaffolds, and suspending equipment and fixtures at construction locations.
    • Manufacturing: Engaged in lifting heavy machinery, positioning molds and dies, and managing raw materials within manufacturing plants.
    • Entertainment and Events: Deployed in stage rigging, lighting setups, and suspending props and scenery for concerts, theatrical productions, and events.
    • Marine: Crucial for anchoring cargo, rigging sails, and securing equipment on ships and offshore platforms.
    • Transportation: Utilized for securing cargo during transit.

    Sources :

    What Are The Different Types of Eye Bolts Used for Overhead Lifts? » Mazzella Companies

    Eye Bolts: The Essential Lifting Hardware (e-rigging.com)

  • Today I learned : Types of stairs in Australia

    Commonly used stairs in Australia:

    1. Straight Stairs:

    Straight stair consists of a single stair flight from lower to upper level. Straight stairs are the most common type of stair used in residential, commercial and industrial buildings not just in Australia but all over the world as it is easy to design and build.

    Stair Flight: It refers to a series of steps or a staircase that leads from one level or floor to another.

    2. L-Shaped stairs:

    L-Shaped stair consists of 2 stair flight which bends by 90° at the landing forming a L shape. It is used when staircase is needed to fit in the corner of the building. It is more visually appealing than straight stairs.

    Landing: A Stair landing is a level platform found at the top, bottom or in the middle of the stairs. An Intermediate landing acts as connecting platform between two stair flights.

    3. U-Shaped stairs:

    U-Shaped stair consists of 2 stair flights which bends by 180° at the landing forming a U shape. It is commonly used in multistory buildings.

    4. Winder Stairs:

    Winder Stair is similar to L-shaped stair and U-shaped stair, but here the landing is replaced by triangular or trapezoidal steps. It is commonly used in older homes or used as a secondary stair.

    5. Spiral Stairs:

    Spiral Stairs have a circular or helical shape with stair flight winding around a central pole or column. It is commonly used in space-constrained areas and as outdoor stairs. Spiral stairs can be challenging to use for people with mobility issues.

    6.Curved Stairs:

    Curved Stair’s stair flight follows a curved or circular path. Curved stairs are mostly used for its aesthetic appeal rather than functionality. Curved stairs can be challenging to use for people with mobility issues.

    7.Floating Stairs:

    Floating Stairs are also known as cantilever stairs. These stairs are anchored to the wall on one side while leaving out the other side support less, thus creating an illusion of floating. Floating stairs are used where minimalistic design is desired by the architect.



    Sources:

    Staircase Building Regulations: Our Comprehensive Guide (adara.co.uk)

    STAIRCASE TERMINOLOGY | An Architect Explains | ARCHITECTURE IDEAS

  • Change in Structural Design: Adapting to Highway Sign Board Challenges

    Change in Structural Design: Adapting to Highway Sign Board Challenges

    A recent project involving the installation of a static sign board on a highway required a significant change in structural design. The task involved detailing steel frames for supporting different sized sign board. However, a particular challenge arose when one of the static sign boards exceeded the maximum size allowable for its designated steel frame type.

    INITIAL DESIGN

    We promptly raised a query regarding this discrepancy with the structural engineer. The project was subsequently put on hold to address this critical issue.

    The structural engineering team responded by revising the original frame design and also the sign board’s size. This adaptive approach ensured that the structural integrity and safety of the sign board were not compromised. The revised frame design was then implemented, allowing the project to proceed smoothly.

    NEW DESIGN

  • Staff Memo: What is marketing, and why should you do it?

    Summary: If you want work, and you want bigger bonuses, then market yourself!

    I have spoken to many detailers endlessly, perhaps on the point of nagging:

    Market your self!

    Their eyes glaze over. Marketing ain’t sexy. It does not bring immediate rewards. But over time, it will – provided the content is good.

    All Businesses Require Marketing

    Where does the work come from?

    • It does not come from Koshy.
    • It comes from marketing.
    • This could include doing a good job with existing clients so that they demand your services on future jobs.

    We’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars marketing – through all forms. Via Google, LinkedIn and Facebook advertisements etc.

    But this is a terrible form of marketing. It is too expensive, and the results are not transparent to new clients i.e. they do not know if we’re good or not.

    How should you market?

    What works much better is “content marketing”: if you do this: not only will you benefit, but the entire firm benefits when you do so.

    What are the goals of marketing?

    1. To promote your name.
    2. To promote the firm’s name.
    3. To win work from clients.

    How can I do this? What is “content marketing”?

    Market via blog posts or other means:

    1. Teach: other detailers and fabricators about useful things you have learned or solved. The lessons must be USEFUL lessons or tips.
    2. Show: how you saved clients money.
    3. Explain: the problems you encountered and how you solved them.

    You can do this via our blogging platform, or via our Youtube / Vimeo marketing channels.

    When clients see your work, your models, your blog posts , and if they demand that you should run their project: YOU WILL WIN THAT JOB. If many clients are asking for your name, this means you bonuses will go up.

    What do clients want?

    • Clients are putting a lot of money on the line.
    • Detailing is not very expensive compared to the overall cost of the project. But if the detailing is wrong, it will send the client broke / insolvent. It is critical to the client that the detailing is good.
    • If you can prove to the client that you are a good detailer, BEFORE they give you a job, and try you out – then you will be more likely to win the job.

    What does not constitute good marketing?

    • Posting screenshots of a project that you’ve done with zero explanation: is not good marketing. Why? Because I can get a fresher who knows zero Tekla to post screen shots of a random model. And secondly, it does not prove that you know what you are talking about. Why should a client hire you after seeing a screen shot of a random Tekla model?

    Sowing and Harvesting are Equally Important.

    Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. (Proverbs 20:4)

    If you do not market yourself, then work may dry up. Then what will you do?

    Marketing goes hand in hand with detailing. They are not separate functions.

    Sample Template For Marketing

    (A) Title

    • Start with the Title – the title must hook people. Tell the truth, but make it compelling for them to click. In the post, you explain how they can do it. Here are some titles I thought of:
    • e.g. As a detailer, here’s how I earned an extra x lakhs per month….
    • e.g. As a detailer, here’s how I became world famous ….
    • e.g. As a junior, here’s how I quickly got promoted…

    (BTW I believe all three can be made into reality provided we share the business and continue to grow our business and consulting practices.)

    Basically you tell your audience something, but you do not reveal all of it.

    (B) Structure the Content

    I would want to see the following headings in your posts – because it allows the client to easily understand and read quickly.

    1. The Problem: The clashes were missing.
    2. The Solution: We used UBs and welded them.
    3. The Benefit: We saved the client $100k, or saved them a lot of rework, or saved them time.

    (C) Posting on LinkedIn

    • Do not post links.
    • Create a separate linked in “Post”.
    • Put the title in the linked in and then add a short description of the problem, but then lead people away from the LinkedIn platform and onto your platform.

    Summary: Why should I care about marketing?

    • So that your bonuses WILL RISE. More clients wanting you, means that you can increase your rates.
    • It’s the simple law of supply and demand.