Steel Detailing | Precast Detailing | Estimation

Author: Ganesh Kumar

  • The Importance of Bolt Placement and Edge Distance in Detailing

    The Importance of Bolt Placement and Edge Distance in Detailing


    Detailers must exercise caution when working with bolts and edge distances, as these are common areas for errors in structural detailing. In this blog, I’ll share my experience with a bolt edge distance issue and how it was resolved.


    The Scenario


    In a recent project, the design required a UB (Universal Beam) to sit on a 200mm-thick concrete wall, secured with M20 chemset bolts.

    Upon review, it became clear this setup wasn’t feasible:

    • Anchor Distance: M20 bolts require a minimum anchor distance of 120mm.
    • Edge Distance: A minimum edge distance of 80mm is necessary.

    Additionally, the beam wasn’t centered on the wall, further complicating the bolt placement.


    The Proposed Solution

    To address the issue, I proposed welding plates to the bottom of the beam. This adjustment allowed the beam to be bolted to the side of the wall rather than its top.


    The Engineer’s Feedback


    After reviewing the proposal, the engineer suggested a simpler solution: using a single row of bolts instead of two. This change eliminated the edge distance problem.Engineer mentioned that one row of bolt is enough for this beam.

    In this project, the engineer did not accept our proposal, as they determined that the beam does not require that level of support. However, as detailers, it is our responsibility to highlight the issue and propose suitable solutions.

  • Always Check Beam Stock Lengths Before Detailing

    Always Check Beam Stock Lengths Before Detailing

    When detailing steel, one important factor that’s often overlooked is the stock length of the beams. Confirming this early can prevent major rework later in the project.

    Recently, we worked on a façade support steel project that involved several CHS beams. Normally, CHS sections are available up to 12 meters in length. However, in this case, the client informed us that for smaller CHS sizes, the maximum available length was only 6.5 meters.

    Please see the below email from the client.

    “Hi Ganesh

    Have just noticed some of your Member lengths for the 101 CHS are longer than 6.5m stock lengths.”

    Then we have raised RFIs for the stock lengths. See the below replies from the client.

    Always confirm the available stock lengths with the client or fabricator before starting the detailing. Early coordination like this saves time, reduces rework, and ensures a smoother fabrication process.

  • TEK1’s Steel Detailing for Sydney Metro – Resolving Design Challenges – 6

    TEK1’s Steel Detailing for Sydney Metro – Resolving Design Challenges – 6

    In this blog, I’d like to share an issue we faced related to hanger locations.

    In this job, the floor steel was supported from the slab soffit. Initially, we placed the hangers as per the design drawings. However, during coordination with the concrete model, we discovered a slab void exactly at one of the hanger locations — meaning there was no concrete support available for that hanger.

    Fortunately, we identified the issue before fabrication and raised it with the respective manager for correction.

    When detailing steel, especially hangers or supports connected to concrete, it’s crucial to check the concrete model. Focusing only on the steel scope can lead to such clashes. Always verify slab and concrete details at the steel connection points to avoid costly rework later.

  • TEK1’s Steel Detailing for Sydney Metro – Resolving Design Challenges – 5

    TEK1’s Steel Detailing for Sydney Metro – Resolving Design Challenges – 5

    We hope you found our previous blogs on the Sydney Metro project insightful. If you missed them, check them out.

    In this blog, I’d like to share an important lesson about concrete encasement for conduits that every steel detailer should keep in mind.Normally, conduit encasement falls under electrical scope, so detailers don’t focus much on it. However, the encasement’s location and size can directly affect the steel layout — as we discovered in one of our projects.

    We detailed the steel as per design drawings, but on-site, the encasement dimensions varied. Some conduits were larger, others smaller, which caused clashes between the steel and the encasement, and in some areas, created unwanted gaps. This required on-site modifications to our steel.

    When detailing steel near conduit encasements, always verify the actual encasement size and location before releasing fabrication drawings. Small checks early in the process can prevent major issues and rework on-site.

  • Mezzanine floor & stair handrails

    Mezzanine floor & stair handrails

    TEK1 recently completed a Mezzanine steel & stair for a prominent organization in Australia. The goal was to provide detailed support steelwork for mezzanine floor & stair including handrails.

  • Do not stick your neck out

    Do not stick your neck out

    While detailing a project for a leading organization in Australia, the client asked us to calculate material quantities for production and procurement.

    However, this involves high risk.As detailers, we don’t control the nesting process — which depends on factors like sheet size, scrap management, and fabrication methods. Each fabricator uses different nesting techniques. If we provide material calculations without knowing their exact process, the numbers could be inaccurate.Any miscalculation could lead to over- or under-procurement, and the blame may fall on the detailer.

    Even if the client is willing to pay for it, detailers should avoid taking on such high-risk tasks. Stick to your scope and let the fabricator handle material estimation based on their own nesting and production methods.

  • Media wall

    Media wall

    TEK1 recently completed a media wall support project for a prominent organization in Australia. The goal was to provide detailed support steelwork for a large media wall screen — with a unique challenge.

    Unlike most projects, we didn’t receive any structural design drawings. Instead, we were given only a concept design, leaving it to TEK1 to determine suitable steel profiles and connection details.

    Our team carefully studied the concept and nominated appropriate profiles for each connection based on feasibility, strength, and ease of fabrication. Once the detailing was complete, we submitted it to the structural engineer for review.

    The engineer approved our detailing with minimal changes, which helped speed up the process and made things easier for the client. The use of different profile types also optimized the design for practicality and efficiency.

  • Project – Bridge – 25

    Project – Bridge – 25


    Tek1 recently completed a cladding project for a prominent organization in Australia. The project involved detailing cladding and its support system around a footbridge with unique challenges.


    The footbridge featured curved ends, but these were not simple linear curves, making the design and detailing process particularly intricate.


    Tek1 conducted numerous meetings with the client and engineers to finalize the cladding’s shape and ensure it met both aesthetic and structural requirements. This collaborative approach ensured the project’s success.


    Stay tuned for more projects from Tek1!

  • TEK1’s Steel Detailing for Sydney Metro – Resolving Design Challenges – 4

    TEK1’s Steel Detailing for Sydney Metro – Resolving Design Challenges – 4

    We hope you found our previous blogs on the Sydney Metro project insightful. If you missed them, check them out.

    In this blog, I’d like to share another connection detail we proposed to the structural engineer on the Sydney Metro project

    Since this is a metro project, fireproofing sheets are required on steel members as per the structural engineer’s specifications. However, the original connection details provided by the engineer were not feasible interms of installation of fireproofing sheets — they would make installing the fireproofing sheets difficult and time-consuming.

    Please see the connection details below. These are the standard connection details typically used for the steel members.

    However, applying these as-is may create difficulties during the installation of the fireproofing sheets.

    We identified this issue early in the detailing stage and proposed alternate connection details that would allow easier installation of the fireproofing sheets without compromising the structural requirement.

    The engineer reviewed our proposal, suggested a few adjustments like thickness changes, and then approved our updated connection details.

    Catching these issues early during detailing avoids major headaches later for installers and saves valuable time on-site

    Stay with TEK1 for more updates on this sydney metro project