Make Your Next Structural Steel Project More Buildable with 3DSDS and Advance Steel

A successful steel project depends on more than a good design. Fabricators and site

teams also need clear, coordinated information they can use to manufacture and erect

the structure. Bringing a steel detailing specialist into the process can help turn the design intent into a practical 3D model and fabrication drawings. 3D Structural Detailing Services Limited (3DSDS) provides structural and architectural

steel detailing for architects, structural engineers and fabricators.

With 25+ years of industry experience using Advance Steel, AutoCAD and Revit the work we cover includes Stadiums, Portal Frame Buildings, Staircases, Balustrades, Balconies, Access Platforms and Mezzanine Floors.

From design information to fabrication drawings

Advance Steel is used to develop a 3D Steel Model and then produce the projects documentation for fabrication from it.

3DSDS Fabrication Documentation includes:

General Arrangement Drawings - (GAs)

Assembly Drawings

Single Part Drawings

NC & NCDXF files for CNC Machining

BOMs (Bill of Materials)

General Arrangement Drawing showing Plan and Elevations of a School Staircase created from the 3D Model.

A coordinated model gives the project team a shared way to review the steelwork before fabrication. It can help make positional and relationships easier to understand, and provide a basis for identifying questions that need addressing.

The model and drawings will always need to be checked against the engineer's designs and the projects requirements; detailing a project is not a substitute for dtructural design or approval.

Why involve a detailer early?

Early coordination gives the fabricator, engineer and detailing team an opportunity to clarify scope of works and drawing requirements before work is well underway. This also helps establish what information is needed to begin modelling such as design drawings, specifications, connection details, levels, grids and the required deliverables.

When discussing the project, agree on:

• Which structures and components are included

• Who is responsible for engineering design and connection approval

• Required drawing formats and file outputs

• The review and approval process

• How design changes will be communicated and priced

• The programme for model reviews, drawings and fabrication release

3DSDS can work with clients’ appointed independent chartered structural engineer on connection details when instructed.

Is 3DSDS a fit for your project?

If your next project includes structural or architectural steelwork, 3DSDS can review the available design information.

Sharing the drawings, specifications and key dates early can make the conversations more productive.

3DSDS can help provide all the necessary fabrication documentation that your company and team needs to move foward to manufacture and erection.