| Working with Turkish structural steel suppliers | | | | maximize size possible is a vital part of keeping costs |
| ensures that high quality structural steel components | | | | under control. Although it varies greatly by region, |
| will be manufactured and delivered on time, with the | | | | certain dimensions tend to hold as the maximum |
| added guarantee of cost savings. Outsourcing to | | | | length before substantial, non-exponential shipping |
| a low cost country is becoming a necessity in | | | | cost increases can be expected. For this reason, |
| today’s ultra competitive world. However, | | | | structural steel fabrications should not exceed 3.17 |
| purchasing managers should display extreme caution | | | | meters in length, 2.43 meters in depth, or 3.65 |
| when selecting a structural steel fabricator in a low | | | | meters in width. In terms of weight, 36.28 metric |
| cost country. Turkish structural steel fabricators | | | | tons tends to serve as the cut-off for |
| prove to be reliable. | | | | cost-effectively delivering structural steel to most |
| Taking shipment costs in account in the design of | | | | parts of the world. Therefore, each component |
| structural steel cannot be overlooked. Heavy steel | | | | of a structural steel assembly should not exceed any |
| components used for a bridge, tunnel shaft, | | | | of the aforementioned dimensions or weight. |
| building’s frame or similar project are typically | | | | As any structural steel components’ overall |
| designed uniquely, on a project-by-project basis. | | | | dimensions increase beyond the limits mentioned |
| Often the functionality of the design receives more | | | | above, the incremental freight costs can rise |
| attention than the costs of actually fabricating, | | | | exponentially. The maximum allowable shipping |
| shipping and erecting the structural steel. This | | | | dimensions will vary greatly based on the geographical |
| results in higher than necessary costs for far too | | | | location where the steel is to be delivered. When |
| many projects. | | | | determining the feasibility of truck delivery, issues |
| | | | | such as road conditions, access, bridge analysis, |
| With proper planning by incorporating cost-saving | | | | overhead clearances, and turning radius can all impact |
| elements within structural steel design unnecessary | | | | the decision process. In most areas, government |
| costs can be avoided. It is important to leverage | | | | agencies provide information to determine the |
| the support of a design team that understands the | | | | limitations of sizes based on road clearances and |
| intricate relationship between a component’s | | | | similar blockages. While such information is vital, it |
| size and shape, and the final shipping costs that will | | | | does not provide the design team with many clues |
| result. An experienced engineer should already | | | | on how to save money on shipping costs. Much |
| know what to expect. | | | | more research is required. |
| Overall material lengths, widths, depths, and especially | | | | Typically, government agencies charge a special fee |
| weights will have a direct impact on the total freight | | | | for wide load deliveries via cargo truck. Also, |
| costs. The ease of transporting structural steel can | | | | additional fees are charged by logistics partners when |
| be restricted by the permitting authorities within the | | | | items require special care due to excessive size or |
| region of delivery. For this reason, structural steel | | | | weight. However, these fees can be estimated |
| components are usually delivered unassembled in | | | | ahead of time by the logistic companies. |
| many small pieces. These pieces are then | | | | Experienced engineers will contact the logistic firms |
| assembled at the final job site. | | | | before initiating the design of structural steel |
| Ensuring each structural steel component is the | | | | components. |