If you’ve ever asked yourself “Why?

” about something
related to structural steel design or construction,
Modern Steel’s monthly Steel Interchange is for you!
steel
Send your questions or comments to solutions@aisc.org. interchange

Holes in Baseplates You state that you have determined the nominal strength of
The 9th Edition of the AISC Manual of Steel Construction the plate. The AISC Specification defines nominal strength as:
contained hole sizes for baseplates that are smaller than “Strength of a structure or component (without the resistance
those shown in the 14th Edition Manual. Can the hole factor or safety factor applied) to resist load effects, as
sizes in the 9th Edition still be used? If so can they be determined in accordance with this Specification.” The nominal
used with standard washers instead of the plate washers strength will be the same regardless of whether the design is
shown in the 14th Edition Manual? done using LRFD or ASD. The plate will also have the same
nominal strength, when subjected to the same loading and
The answer to both questions is yes. There is nothing that restraints, regardless of whether it is in a building, a hopper, an
prohibits the use of holes smaller than the maximums airplane or a ship.
recommended in Table 14-2 of the 14th Edition Steel Construction Once the nominal strength has been determined, the
Manual. It should be noted, however, that using the smaller holes engineer need only multiply by a resistance factor, φ, or divide
will require more exacting placement of the anchors and that by a safety factor, Ω, to get the available strength in LRFD or
misplaced anchors are a relatively common issue—the reason ASD, respectively. However, the φ and Ω factors in the AISC
larger holes were adopted since the 1989 publication you cite. Specification have been developed for use with buildings in
The larger washer plates are necessary due to the larger hole conjunction with the loads and load factors defined in ASCE-
sizes. ASTM F844 washers are sufficient when used with the 7. It may not be appropriate to apply these factors, intended
hole sizes provided in the 9th Edition Manual. The information for buildings, to the design of a hopper. It seems the demand
provided in the Manual has been reproduced here. side is much more of a problem than the resistance side,
though the two are not mutually exclusive. Your ability to
9th Ed. Manual Recommended Hole Sizes define the demand will have an effect on the load factors used.
Anchor Rod Diamer (in.) Hole Diameter (in.) The Commentary to Chapter B of the AISC Specification
w 1z provides some background related to the development of
LRFD as it relates to structural steel building construction.
d 1x
It also provides references to other related papers and texts.
1 12
By reading these documents you should be able to develop a
14 1w better understanding of how ASD and LRFD are related and
12 2 how best to “convert” from one to the other. For the design of
1w 24 buildings considered in the Specification, a simple conversion of
2 22 1.5 is usually deemed sufficient to move from ASD to LRFD.
22 32 This would not necessarily apply to other applications.
The Eurocode devotes significant space to the development
Larry S. Muir, P.E. of resistance factors and/or load factors and considers such
variables as location, type of infill and loading (eccentric
Design of Structures Outside the Scope of discharge, local patch loading and unsymmetrical filling),
the Specification the structural type and the size and type of operation. It
I am trying to design the face of a hopper, which is in also provides very specific requirements related to analysis
compression. I have found many examples that appear to assumptions and procedures. These are the sorts of factors that
be based on ASD and can calculate the nominal strength need to be taken into account. The AISC Specification does not
of the plate from these. How do I determine the com- consider these factors because hoppers fall outside its scope. You
pressive strength of the plate using LRFD? must use your own engineering knowledge and judgment to
determine the appropriate design methods for your application.
The design of hoppers falls outside the scope of the AISC I suspect various sectors have developed their own guidelines
Specification, which “sets forth criteria for the design, based on their own experiences, conditions and needs.
fabrication and erection of structural steel buildings and other It is not unusual for engineers to base the design of steel
structures, where other structures are defined as structures structures other than buildings on the provisions in the
designed, fabricated and erected in a manner similar to Specification. However, care, based on understanding of the
buildings, with building-like vertical and lateral load resisting- Specification provisions, must be exercised when this done.
elements.” I will, however, try to provide some guidance. Larry S. Muir, P.E.

 Modern STEEL CONSTRUCTION

 steel interchange
Ordering Steel fabricator. In our experience, when addressed in the contract,
The fabricator ordered columns cut to length based on erection aids are shown on the shop drawings and furnished by
the construction documents, but before the shop draw- the steel fabricator.
ings were submitted and reviewed. Subsequently, a sig- Section 7.8.2 states: “When the fabricator is responsible
nificant portion of the structure was revised to include for erecting the structural steel, the fabricator shall furnish all
a sloped roof instead of the flat roof originally shown, materials that are required for both temporary and permanent
which increased the lengths of almost every column and connections of the component parts.” This would include the
led to more complex details. erection aids.
The fabricator has issued a change order that includes When the fabricator is not responsible for erecting the
re-detailing the steel and the cost of six columns that structural steel, erection aids, like column splice aids, are not
were ordered but could not be used. Is the fabricator mentioned in Section 7.8.3 so they would not be included in the
allowed to order steel “early,” before shop drawings have fabricator's bid unless they are in the contract between the owner
been reviewed? and the fabricator. The erector would have to tell the fabricator
what is required. The required aids would then typically be
There are two separate phases that must be considered: shown on the shop drawings and supplied by the fabricator.
1. Ordering and detailing of steel; this happens as soon as Larry S. Muir, P.E.
the design drawings are released for construction
2. Fabrication of steel; this can only proceed after approval Thermally Cut Holes in the Field
of shop and erection drawings The fire sprinkler contractor torch-cut holes in the steel
These are distinct events that happen at separate times. beams. The holes satisfy the checks for web penetrations
Release for construction happens at the beginning. Start of provided in AISC Design Guide 2. Is torch-cutting of
fabrication happens later and upon shop drawing approval. beams allowed for web penetrations? If so, do the ther-
Ordering of steel is addressed in Section 5.1 of the AISC mally cut edges need to meet any requirements or do
Code of Standard Practice. It happens as soon as release for they need to be ground smooth and tested?
construction is received (as shop and erection drawings are
produced and well before they are approved). This is done so AISC Specification Section M2.2 addresses thermal cutting
that the material can be obtained and fabrication can begin as of steel. The Specification defers to AWS D1.1 clause 5 for
soon as shop drawings are approved. This is not ordering early. acceptance criteria, which is found in sub-clause 5.15.4.3. For this
Release for construction is a defined term in the AISC Code case, the AWS code refers to a visual comparator and requires
of Standard Practice, and it has a very specific and important that the cut edge be equal to or better than a “sample three;” it
meaning. It's when the owner's money starts being spent does not provide a means of measuring thermal cut edges. Since
on material and detailing. If the contract documents were the contractor performed the thermal cutting, he should have
released for construction, the fabricator should have ordered the roughness gauge which governs his work. If not, the special
the steel and done the detailing based upon the drawings they inspector should be able to provide hers.
were given. They are asking for compensation for detailing If repairs are required, they can be accomplished by
hours wasted and columns made useless by the changes made grinding, or welding and grinding.
later to drawings that were released for construction. Keith Landwehr
If the fabricator ordered steel and did the detailing without
release for construction, they were taking a risk and the cost is
The complete collection of Steel Interchange questions and answers is available online.
theirs to bear. Find questions and answers related to just about any topic by using our full-text search
Charles J. Carter, S.E., P.E., Ph.D. capability. Visit Steel Interchange online at www.modernsteel.com.

Erection Aids Larry Muir is director of technical assistance and Charlie Carter is vice president and chief
structural engineer, both with AISC. Keith Landwehr is a consultant to AISC.
Who is responsible (erector, fabricator, owner or engineer)
for the design and supply of erection aids on a project?
Steel Interchange is a forum to exchange useful and practical professional ideas and
information on all phases of steel building and bridge construction. Opinions and
Per the Code of Standard Practice Section 1.8.1, the erector is suggestions are welcome on any subject covered in this magazine.
responsible for means methods and safety of erection of the steel The opinions expressed in Steel Interchange do not necessarily represent an official position of
frame. Erection aids fall under means and methods. Neither the the American Institute of Steel Construction and have not been reviewed. It is recognized that the
design of structures is within the scope and expertise of a competent licensed structural engineer,
owner nor the engineer of record is responsible for showing, architect or other licensed professional for the application of principles to a particular structure.
designing or providing erection aids in the contract documents. If you have a question or problem that your fellow readers might help you solve, please
Responsibility for designing and providing erection aids is forward it to us. At the same time, feel free to respond to any of the questions that you
have read here. Contact Steel Interchange via AISC’s Steel Solutions Center:
not addressed specifically in the AISC Code of Standard Practice,
1 E Wacker Dr., Ste. 700, Chicago, IL 60601
and therefore is a contractual issue between the erector and tel: 866.ASK.AISC • fax: 312.803.4709
solutions@aisc.org

NOVEMBER 2014