| Steel fabricators have a vast knowledge that is | | | | have an understanding of standard sizes. There are |
| virtually untapped by todays engineers and designers. | | | | always many sizes that are suitable for a given load |
| Most fabricators don't have the resources within their | | | | or the size of a flange. Its easy to draw a 1/4"X2 1 |
| companies to design structures without outsourcing | | | | 4" flat bar flange on a chute but it is not always |
| the actual load calculations or flow charts that are | | | | readily available, whereas a 1/4"X2 1/2" may be. |
| required to be "stamped" by professional engineers. | | | | Call your fabricator or steel supplier to find out |
| Most leave that up to engineering firms however, | | | | common sizes and common lengths. Try to keep |
| most have years of combined experience from | | | | centerline spacing for columns in building structures in |
| various industries and applications that could be | | | | twenty foot increments where possible. These sizes |
| tapped by the designers. | | | | are readily available in structural sizes and the drops |
| Fabricators have seen how everyone else has done | | | | will be minimized. Try to use sizes that are compatible |
| it. Of course they cannot share proprietary | | | | for your fabricator when detailing projects. Find out |
| information with other companies but they can share | | | | what the capacities are on their machines and try to |
| their own ideas. All fabricators have suggestions on | | | | stay within those parameters when possible. These |
| how to make projects more cost effective for the | | | | are just a few things that can be taken into account |
| end user and ways to positively impact a projects | | | | when designing and detailing that can have a |
| constructability. For instance, it could be as simple as | | | | tremendous impact on the bottom line of a budget. |
| centerline spacing or flange sizes. Most designer don't | | | | |