Modern Steel Construction January

January 2023
Steel Fans, Start Your Engines...
CHARLOTTE CONVENTION CENTER | APRIL 12–14, 2023

incorporating
World Steel Bridge Symposium | QualityCon | Architecture in Steel | SafetyCon
SSRC Annual Stability Conference | NISD Conference on Steel Detailing
Registration Earn Nearly

250 opens up to
200
exhibitors January 17 sessions
23 PDHs
Mark your calendars for The Steel Conference: THE premier event for everyone
involved in the design and construction of steel-framed buildings and bridges.
aisc.org/nascc
January 2023
features
32 Forging a New Steel Story
BY BRIAN SHERMAN, PE, AND SEAN POUSLEY
A recently completed multi-use complex
helps lift an old steel town to new heights.
38 Vital Link
BY NICK STAROSKI, SE, PE
in every issue The rebuilt Merchants Bridge over the

Mississippi River in St. Louis is a vital link
departments in creating the international supply chain
6 EDITOR’S NOTE of the future.
8 STEEL INTERCHANGE
10 STEEL QUIZ 46 Going Big with Castellated
61 NEW PRODUCTS Beams
62 NEWS & EVENTS BY JULIE LOW
66 STRUCTURALLY SOUND Thanks to schedule and supply chain
challenges, a new distribution facility in
Georgia becomes the country’s largest
resources
known castellated beam project.
65 ADVERTISER INDEX
65 MARKETPLACE &
EMPLOYMENT 52 All Hands on (Steel) Deck
38 BY GEOFF WEISENBERGER
Hands-on events at ironworker training
facilities across the country were the name
of the game for AISC’s 2022 SteelDay.
columns
conference previews
steelwise data driven
14 Advances in Composite 26 New Year, New Outlook 55 Connection Design:
Construction BY JEFF CARLSON Do the Dos, Avoid the Don’ts
BY CHRISTINA HARBER, SE, PE, While bridge construction costs rose significantly BY MARA BRASELTON, PE
JEROME F. HAJJAR, PE, PhD, AND over the past couple of years, things appear to be There are plenty of connection design
W. SAMUEL EASTERLING, PE, PhD leveling off, and steel bridges are positioned for a pitfalls out there. Recognizing them will
Chapter I of the upcoming 2022 strong 2023. help you avoid them.
AISC Specification includes expanded
field notes
options and upgrades related to
57 Double-Wide
composite construction.
28 Lifelong Learner and Teacher
INTERVIEW BY GEOFF WEISENBERGER
BY FRANK ARTMONT, PE, PhD
A bridge team looks to a concrete-filled
steelwise Chris Raebel’s life thus far has been a fruitful and steel tube solution to expand the width
18 Talking through the Code
BY BABETTE FREUND, BILL ANDREWS,
varied journey, all without having to stray from and extend the life of a river crossing in
the city he loves—Milwaukee—for too long. Tennessee.
PHILIP TORCHIO, AND
JONATHAN TAVAREZ business issues
A “conversation” between an 59 Reliable Rigging
engineer, a fabricator, and an erector 31 Focusing Outward
BY DAN COUGHLIN
BY SCOTT SEPPERS
Understanding the basics of rigging
provides a look into the latest version
Inner focus is essential, but so is focusing on the is crucial to safe, efficient lifts on steel
of the AISC Code of Standard Practice.
needs of others. If you provide value to others, construction sites.
everyone eventually wins.
ON THE COVER: A new steel office tower and surrounding development look to revitalize an old steel mill town near Philadelphia, p. 32.
(Photo: © Connor Mayer)
MODERN STEEL CONSTRUCTION (Volume 63, Number 1) ISSN (print) 0026-8445: ISSN (online) 1945-0737. Published monthly by the American Institute of Steel
Construction (AISC), 130 E Randolph Street, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60601. Single issues $8.00; 1 year, $60. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, IL and at additional
mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send address changes to MODERN STEEL CONSTRUCTION, 130 E Randolph Street, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60601.
DISCLAIMER: AISC does not approve, disapprove, or guarantee the validity or accuracy of any data, claim, or opinion appearing under a byline or obtained or quoted
from an acknowledged source. Opinions are those of the writers and AISC is not responsible for any statement made or opinions expressed in MODERN STEEL
Printed on paper made
CONSTRUCTION. All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced without written permission, except for noncommercial educational purposes where fewer than 25 from a minimum of
photocopies are being reproduced. The AISC and Modern Steel logos are registered trademarks of AISC. 10% recycled content.
4 | JANUARY 2023
editor’s note
Editorial Offices
130 E Randolph St, Ste 2000
Happy new year! Chicago, IL 60601
312.670.2400
Editorial Contacts
Pretty cool speaker wall CHIEF EDITOR
Geoff Weisenberger
I’m standing in front of, right? 312.493.7694
weisenberger@aisc.org
Right? I feel like a rock star! PUBLISHER
Keith A. Grubb, SE, PE
312.804.0813
grubb@aisc.org
GRAPHIC DESIGN MANAGER
Kristin Hall
Ha, ha, just kidding. Those aren’t Steel Conference is the premier educational 773.636.8543
hall@aisc.org
speakers. What you’re seeing is a large and networking event for the structural
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
weld fume control system, which collects steel industry, bringing together structural Scott Melnick
particulates from indoor welding operations. engineers, structural steel fabricators, 312.804.1535
The “speakers” are actually filters that can be melnick@aisc.org
erectors, detailers, and architects.
removed and emptied. In addition to nearly 200 practical AISC Officers
CHAIR
Many of you have probably seen such a seminars on the latest design concepts, Stephen H. Knitter
machine. I hadn’t—or at least I hadn’t noticed construction techniques, and cutting-edge Geiger & Peters, Inc.
them in previous shop visits. This one was at research, the conference also features 250+ VICE CHAIR
the Ironworkers Local 5 training facility just exhibitors showcasing products ranging from Hugh J. McCaffrey
Southern New Jersey Steel Co.
east of Washington, D.C., a stone’s throw structural design software to machinery for
SECRETARY/LEGAL COUNSEL
from FedEx Field, where the Washington cutting steel beams. One low registration Edward Seglias, Cohen Seglias
Commanders play. The facility hosted 20 fee gains you access to all of the technical Pallas Greenhall & Furman, PC
Howard University students for AISC’s 2022 sessions, the keynote addresses, the T.R. PRESIDENT
SteelDay celebration this past October and Higgins Lecture, and the exhibitor showcase. Charles J. Carter, SE, PE, PhD
was one of a dozen IMPACT (Ironworker This year’s conference takes place in SENIOR VICE PRESIDENTS
Scott Melnick
Management Progressive Action Cooperative Charlotte, April 12–14, and will incorporate Mark W. Trimble, PE
Trust) SteelDay events that took place across the World Steel Bridge Symposium, VICE PRESIDENTS
the country (you can read more about these QualityCon, Architecture in Steel, SafetyCon, Todd Alwood
and other SteelDay events on page 52). the SSRC Annual Stability Conference, and Carly Hurd
Lawrence F. Kruth, PE
Finding out what a weld fume control the NISC Conference on Steel Detailing.
Mike Mospan
system is and does was just one thing I Registration opens on January 23, when Christopher H. Raebel, SE, PE, PhD
learned at the event. SteelDay is all about the fee for AISC members is $405 (with Brian Raff
providing awareness of the domestic discounts available for additional registrants Editorial Advisory Panel
structural steel industry and educating from the same firm). The fee increases by Brandon Chavel, PE, PhD
Michael Baker International
attendees on how the various components $15 each week, so be sure to register early!
Nat Killpatrick
of the steel supply chain work, from early Attendees can receive up to 17 PDHs. Basden Steel
design to final construction. Every year, it Full registration also includes lunch on Christina McCoy, SE
offers hands-on opportunities like the Wednesday and Thursday, the Welcome Oklahoma State University
School of Architecture
IMPACT events (where attendees were able Reception on Wednesday evening, and the
Allison Shenberger, PE
to try tasks like climbing a column, rigging conference dinner on Thursday. ruby+associates
and bolting beams, welding, and cutting You can learn more about the conference Justin Smith, PE
steel with a torch), fabrication shop visits, at aisc.org/nascc (and also in the conference Walter P Moore
construction site tours, and presentations program packaged with this issue). We hope Advertising Sales
and webinars. you’ll join us in Charlotte this spring! M.J. Mrvica Associates, Inc.
2 W Taunton Avenue
Another educational opportunity, one that Berlin, NJ 08009
packs presentations, an exhibit hall full of 856.768.9360
mjmrvica@mrvica.com
product and service providers, and plenty
Address Changes and
of networking opportunities all under one Geoff Weisenberger Subscription Concerns
roof, is NASCC: The Steel Conference. The Chief Editor 312.670.2401
subscriptions@aisc.org
Reprints
Kristin Hall
hall@aisc.org
6 | JANUARY 2023
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steel interchange
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!
Send your questions or comments to solutions@aisc.org.
F3148 Fasteners
We traditionally use A325/A490 bolts standard that incorporates Grades A325, installation tools. Both the 2020 RCSC
for the connection design. However, A325M, A490, A490M, F1852, and F2280, Specification for Structural Joints Using
we have received a request from our which were previously separate standards.” High-Strength Bolts and the upcoming
construction group to consider using For background, when tension- 2022 AISC Specification recognize ASTM
bolting assemblies manufactured to the control (TC) bolts were introduced into F3148 bolts for use. As pointed out in the
ASTM F3148 standard. Do you have any the structural steel industry, they did article, F3148 bolts are produced from 144
information you can share about this not have an ASTM standard number. ksi material, which is stronger than F3125
new bolt standard? They needed to be approved on each Grade F325 and F1852 bolts produced
project as an alternative design fastener. with 120-ksi material and only slightly less
An additional bolt standard, ASTM F3148, Over time, more manufacturers began strong than F3125 Grade A490 and F2280
was added to the 2022 AISC Specification, producing their version of TC bolts with bolts produced with 150-ksi material.
which will be released in early 2023. ASTM some variations. Each manufacturer also The advantage of F3148 bolts over F3125
F3148 has a tensile strength of 144 ksi and began either producing or marketing their Grade A490 and F2280 bolts is that they
is an applicable material for spline drive installation tools. As time progressed, TC can be mechanically galvanized. You will
bolts where the spline is used to pretension bolts obtained ASTM standard numbers find many references to F3148 in the 2020
the bolt but does not twist off. (More details F1852 and F2280 (now F3125 Grade RCSC Specification. There are a few things
are available in the June 2022 Modern F1852 and F2280). With ASTM issuing to consider when using a manufactured
Steel Steelwise article: "Are You Properly an ASTM standard for TC bolts, they are matching bolt/nut assembly. More
Specifying Materials," which can be read at now in common use and produced by many information on topics such as ordering
modernsteel.com/archives.) manufacturers with proprietary tools for bolts or handling and storage that pertain
The AISC Specification for Structural Steel installation. to F3148 can be found in FAQ 6.2.3 and
Buildings (ANSI/AISC 360) lists materials ASTM F3148 bolts are in a similar FAQ 6.4.1 at aisc.org/steel-solutions-
that are approved for use in Section A3, state that TC bolts were when they center/engineering-faqs.
including A307, A353, A449, F3043, F3111, obtained their ASTM standard number. Yasmin Chaudhry, PE
and F3125. The User Note in this section They are presently only produced by one
states: “ASTM F3125 is an umbrella manufacturer and require proprietary
Yasmin Chaudhry (chaudhry@aisc.org)

is a staff engineer in AISC’s Steel Solutions The opinions expressed in Steel Interchange do not
Center. Larry Muir is a consultant to AISC. necessarily represent an official position of the American
Institute of Steel Construction and have not been reviewed.
It is recognized that the design of structures is within the
All mentioned AISC publications, unless
scope and expertise of a competent licensed structural
noted otherwise, refer to the current version Steel Interchange is a forum to exchange useful and
engineer, architect or other licensed professional for the
practical professional ideas and information on all phases
and are available at aisc.org/publications. of steel building and bridge construction. Contact Steel
application of principles to a particular structure.
Modern Steel articles can be found at Interchange with questions or responses via AISC’s Steel The complete collection of Steel Interchange questions and
www.modernsteel.com. Solutions Center: 866.ASK.AISC | solutions@aisc.org answers is available online at www.modernsteel.com.
8 | JANUARY 2023
steel interchange
HSS Corner Radius

I have an ASTM A500 HSS6×6×5∕16, and I
want to make sure that I miss the corner
radius with a drill penetration for a self-
drilling/self-tapping screw. Can you tell
me the outside radius dimension for the
corner?
The corner radius of a hollow structural

section (HSS) can vary. Per ASTM A500,
the corner radius cannot exceed three times
the specified (nominal) wall thickness. You
could conservatively use this value. You
could also measure the actual dimension of the AISC Steel Construction Manual. This of material for use in making connections
an existing piece. value, while likely closer to what you may to HSS. The workable flat dimension is
If you need to miss the corner radius actually get, is not guaranteed. As discussed provided as a reflection of current industry
with a drill penetration for a self-drilling/ in the Manual on p. 1-6: “In the tabulated practice, although the tolerances of ASTM
self-tapping screw, then you need to stay in workable flat dimensions of rectangular A500 allow a greater maximum corner
the middle 41∕8 in. of the face. (and square) HSS, the outside corner radii radius of 3tnom.” (See Figure 1.)
The workable flat is somewhat are taken as 2.25tnom. The term workable Larry Muir, PE
larger—45∕8 in., as shown in Table 1-12 of flat refers to a reasonable flat width or depth
Single-Plate Beam-to-Girder Connection

If you have a beam-to-girder-web
connection on only one side of the
girder, is there a requirement to use a
full-height stiffener instead of a single-
plate connection at this location?
There is no requirement for a full-height

stiffener to be used in this scenario. That
said, a full-height stiffener instead of a
single-plate connection (see Figure 2) at
beam-to-girder-web connections on only
one side of the girder is fairly common. In
my experience, it is specified somewhat less
than 50% of the time, though it is probably
used even less often in construction
because fabricators often suggest the use
of a single-plate connection instead of
full-height stiffeners. This request is often
accepted by the engineer of record (EOR).
When engineers are asked why they
specify full-height stiffeners in lieu of single
plates, responses vary—e.g., a common
explanation is that the end of the supported
beam wants to rotate, and providing a of a spandrel beam and does little to twist in the spandrel, the arrangement
full-depth shear stiffener helps to prevent resist end rotation of the supported beam seems more likely to exacerbate twist in
the spandrel from twisting. However, this under gravity loads. It seems that the full- the spandrel—and speaking to erectors and
explanation is inconsistent with both the depth stiffener ensures compatible (rigid fabricator field representatives, this seems
theoretical model and observed behavior. body) movement between the end of the to be the effect in practice.
A full-depth stiffener does little to supported beam, the stiffener, and the Larry Muir, PE
increase the torsional strength and stiffness spandrel beam. Rather than preventing
Modern Steel Construction | 9

steel quiz
Happy New Year! We are excited about and resistance factors, Φ, to account strength, based on the 2016 AISC
many things as we look forward to the for unavoidable variations in: Specification?
year ahead—including the release of a. materials a. multiply by 1.7
the 2022 Specification for Structural b. design equations b. divide by 1.7
Steel Buildings (AISC 360-22)! c. fabrication c. multiply by 1.5
AISC has dedicated the 2022 d. erection d. divide by 1.5
Specification to longtime volunteer and e. all of the above
6 True or False: Given a specific dead
structural behavior research pioneer
3 True or False: Allowable strength load and live load on a beam, that
Theodore (Ted) V. Galambos (see more
design (ASD) is an elastic design beam designed using LRFD load
in the News section on page 64). In
method based entirely on a stress combinations will have greater
honor of Galambos, often known as the
format without limit states, and LRFD nominal strength, and thus greater
“father of load and resistance factor
is an inelastic design method based capacity, than if the ASD load
design (LRFD),” this month’s steel quiz
entirely on a strength format with combinations had been used.
tests your knowledge of LRFD.
limit states. 7 True or False: A fundamental
1 What year was load and resistance
4 True or False: A high resistance difference between LRFD and ASD is
factor design (LRFD) introduced into
factor, Φ, indicates a larger variability that ASD employs one factor (i.e., the
the AISC Specification?
in test data for a given nominal factor of safety), while LRFD uses one
a. 1978 b. 1986
strength. factor with the resistance and one
c. 1989 d. 1993
factor each for different load effect
2 In LRFD, the margin of safety for the 5 How can LRFD design strength be types.
loads is contained in load factors quickly converted to ASD allowable
TURN TO PAGE 12 FOR ANSWERS
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10 | JANUARY 2023
Everyone is welcome to submit questions and answers for the Steel Quiz.
If you are interested in submitting one question or an entire quiz, contact
steel quiz ANSWERS AISC’s Steel Solutions Center at 866.ASK.AISC or solutions@aisc.org.
Clues can be found in the 2016 Speci- factors, and available strengths in variability in the test data for a given
fication for Structural Steel Buildings Part 2 of the AISC Manual. nominal strength, the lower the Φ
(AISC 360-16) or the AISC Steel Con- factor will be. For example, Φ = 0.9
3 False. It is commonly believed that for limit states involving yielding, and
struction Manual, both available at ASD is an elastic design method
aisc.org/publications. Φ = 0.75 for limit states involving
based entirely on a stress format with-
rupture. Learn more about resistance
1 b. 1986. Ted Galambos is often out limit states, and LRFD is an inelas-
factors in the Commentary to Chap-
referred to as the “father of load tic design method based entirely on
ter B of the AISC Specification.
and resistance factor design (LRFD)” a strength format with limit states.
thanks to his pioneering research This is false for several reasons. Tradi- 5 d. Divide by 1.5. The ASD method
that led to the introduction of LRFD tional ASD was based on limit-states provided in the Specification recog-
in the 1986 AISC Specification principles too. Either method can be nizes that the controlling modes of
(take a walk down memory lane formulated on a stress or strength failure are the same for structures
and download the historic 1986 basis, and both take advantage of designed by ASD or LRFD. In devel-
Load and Resistance Factor Design inelastic behavior. Design, according oping appropriate values of Ω for
Specification for Structural Steel to the AISC Specification, whether it use in the Specification, the aim
Buildings at aisc.org/publications/ is according to LRFD or ASD, is based was to ensure similar levels of safety
historic-standards). on limit states design principles, and reliability for the two methods.
which define the boundaries of struc- The general relationship between
2 e. all of the above. In LRFD, the tural usefulness. Learn more about the the safety factor, Ω, and the resis-
margin of safety for the loads is design fundamentals of LRFD in Part 2 tance factor, Φ, is Ω = 1.5/Φ (this
contained in the load factors and of the AISC Manual. relationship is described further in
resistance factors, Φ, to account for the Commentary to Chapter B of
unavoidable variations in materials, 4 False. The resistance factors, Φ, in the Specification). Thus, a design
design equations, fabrication, and the AISC Specification are based
strength ΦR n can be quickly con-
erection. Learn more about nominal upon research and the experience
verted to an allowable strength Rn/Ω
strengths, resistance factors, safety and judgment of the AISC Commit-
simply by dividing by 1.5.
tee on Specifications. The higher the
6 False. The nominal strength of the
beam is not dependent on the load
approach used in the design. Only
the resistance factor applied for
LRFD and the safety factor applied
for ASD differ. Depending on the rel-
ative intensities of the dead and live
loads, the LRFD or ASD approach
may produce a more efficient design.
They are essentially equivalent at a
live-to-dead-load ratio of 3 for the
load combination that considers
dead plus live loading.
7 True. Ted Galambos stated the follow-
ing in the Engineering Journal article
“Load and Resistance Factor Design,”
which appeared in 1981: “The funda-
mental difference between LRFD and
the allowable stress design method
is, then, that the latter employs one
factor (i.e., the Factor of Safety), while
the former uses one factor with the
resistance and one factor each for
the different load effect types. LRFD,
by employing more factors, recog-
nizes the fact that, for example, beam
theory is more accurate than column
theory…, or that the uncertainties of
the dead load are smaller than those
of the live load…. LRFD thus has the
potential of providing more consis-
tency, simply because it uses more
than one factor.”
12 | JANUARY 2023
Quality Management
Company, LLC (QMC)
is seeking qualified
INDEPENDENT
CONTRACT
AUDITORS
to conduct site audits for
the American Institute of
Steel Construction (AISC)
Certified Fabricators and
Certified Erector Programs.
This contract requires travel

throughout North America and
limited International travel.
This is not a regionally based
contract and a minimum of 75%
travel should be expected.
Contract auditors must have
knowledge of quality management
systems, audit principles and
techniques. Knowledge of the
structural steel construction industry
quality management systems is
preferred but not required as is
certifications for CWI, CQA, or
NDT. Prior or current auditing
experience or auditing certifications
are preferred but not required.
Interested contractors
should submit a statement
of interest and resume to
contractor@qmcauditing.com.
steelwise
Advances in Composite Construction

BY CHRISTINA HARBER, SE, PE, JEROME F. HAJJAR, PE , PHD, AND W. SAMUEL EASTERLING, PE, PHD
Chapter I of the upcoming 2022 AISC Specification includes expanded options and
upgrades related to composite construction.
THE INTEGRATION of steel and con- SpeedCore for Steel Structures, which is now avail-
crete in composite construction continues After a rigorous research and approval able. (You can also learn more about the
to increase in use in the U.S. and around process, provisions for SpeedCore, the system at aisc.org/speedcore and in the
the world. nickname for the revolutionary concrete- December 2022 articles “Unconventional
New structural systems, higher-strength filled composite steel plate shear wall sys- Wisdom” and “Increasing Speed through
materials, and advanced design procedures tem, have finally made it to the Specification. Research,” both available in the Archives
that bring increased efficiencies are all This wall system consists of structural steel section at www.modernsteel.com. And
driving innovation and popularity in the plates connected with tie bars and (option- you can access all AISC Design Guides
use of composite steel-concrete construc- ally) with steel-headed stud anchors on at aisc.org/dg.) With successful projects
tion. As a result, some of the steel indus- the interior surfaces to develop composite such as Rainier Square Tower in Seattle
try’s most anticipated additions to the 2022 action between the steel plates and con- and 200 Park in San Jose already con-
set of AISC standards are in the realm of crete infill (see Figure 1). Chapter I of the structed using the SpeedCore system, a
composite construction, and designers will Specification contains provisions for stiff- surge in future projects using this highly
appreciate expanded options and upgrades ness calculations, requirements for mini- efficient and rapid-to-construct structural
in Chapter I of the AISC Specification for mum steel, slenderness of plates, and tie bar system can be expected.
Structural Steel Buildings (ANSI/AISC 360- detailing as well as determination of axial,
22). Two new design options include a new flexural, and shear strength. Performance-based Shear
composite wall system and a performance- Connection Design
based alternative for shear connections for In the 2022 version of the Specification,
use in composite beams. Other areas of designers may now determine the flexural
improvement include a new shear strength strength of composite beams with shear
equation for filled composite members and connection configurations outside of the
more direction on reinforcing steel detail- standard range of steel deck, concrete slab,
ing for composite members. and shear connector geometries and mate-
rial properties. This can be done following
the new provisions in Section I8.4, which
outline the performance-based alternative
for designing shear connections.
ANSI/AISC 360-22
Strength, reliability, ductility, and stiff-
An American National Standard
ness criteria are determined for the assem-
Specification for bly that comprises the shear connection
Structural through physical testing. If threshold cri-
teria are met, the shear connection can be
Steel Buildings used in design and is deemed equivalent
Fig. 1. A typical SpeedCore wall.
August 1, 2022
Supersedes the Specification for Structural Steel Buildings
in performance to the conventional shear
dated June 7, 2016, and all previous versions
connection methods provided in Section
Approved by the Committee on Specifications
I8.2. This makes it feasible to analyze a

There are additional system require- composite beam with non-standard as-
ments that appear in Chapter H of the built conditions or to adopt a new inno-
Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel vative deep deck system for design. (See
Buildings (AISC 341-22). Engineers will “Composite Beam Possibilities” in the
be able to find more information on the August 2022 issue for details on how to use
system, including design examples, in these new provisions.)
AISC Design Guide 38: SpeedCore Systems
14 | JANUARY 2023
steelwise
Detailing Concrete and Steel combined in practice for applications in
Reinforcement columns and beams where the resulting
Structural steel, concrete, and rein- member does not strictly qualify as a com-
forcing steel can be combined in a variety posite member according to the provisions.”
of applications for structural members in Examples of structural members included
new and existing construction. Structural in the three groups are shown in the follow-
members, including concrete-encased and ing figures: Figure 2 shows composite mem-
concrete-filled columns, beams, and beam- bers in Group 1, where an encased composite
columns can be classified into three broad column or a filled composite column is often
groups according to how the load is resisted: used in mid-rise and high-rise composite
• Group 1: Load is shared between frame construction. Note that using internal
steel, concrete, and reinforcing steel reinforcement in the concrete-filled com-
as a composite member posite column is optional for the designer.
• Group 2: All load is carried by the Figure 3 shows a common application of an
steel member encased steel floor beam in Group 2, where
• Group 3: All load is carried by the concrete encasement is provided for
concrete and reinforcing steel architectural cover, steel fireproofing, and/
or corrosion protection. Figure 4 shows a
The 2016 Specification focused on the filled composite column in Group 3, where
strength design of members in Group 1 the steel shell serves as a form only, with all
as indicated in Commentary Section I1. the load carried by the internal concrete and
General Provisions: “The provisions of steel reinforcement. The concrete and rein-
Chapter I address strength design of the forcing steel are designed according to ACI
composite sections only.” Only the limita- 318 requirements. The new Specification now
Fig. 2. Group 1 example: encased
tions and general detailing requirements addresses member detailing requirements and filled composite column in
of these composite members were speci- for concrete and steel reinforcement for all composite frame construction.
fied. Any limitations and detailing require- three groups used in practice. In all cases,
ments for Group 2 and Group 3 members ACI 318 is required to be referenced for con-
were not specified and left to the judg- crete and steel reinforcement detailing not
ment of the designer. It was stated that specifically addressed in the new Specification.
for Group 1 members, ACI 318: Building The provisions in Chapter I are orga-
Code Requirements for Structural Concrete nized into sections classified by loading type,
should be referenced for member detail- either axial (Section I2), flexure (Section
ing requirements, such as maximum and I3), shear (Section I4), or combined flexure
minimum longitudinal steel limits, trans- and axial force (Section I5). The limitations
verse steel reinforcement (stirrups, ties, and detailing requirements for concrete-
spirals, etc.), spacing, and concrete cover encased and concrete-filled members are
for steel reinforcement and for anchor- now addressed in each of these sections in
age and splice lengths of reinforcing steel. the new Specification. Refer to Chapter I for
Most designers also referred to ACI 318 specific requirements applicable to each
for detailing requirements for Group 2 member type in each of the three groups
and Group 3 members, as was implied in and for each type of load. The common Fig. 3. Group 2 example: steel floor
beam wrapped in concrete.
the Specification. application of composite beams and girders
The new 2022 Specification broadened with steel-headed stud anchors used with
the application to include specific member metal deck or solid slab construction is cov-
limitations and general detailing require- ered in the 2022 version (Section I3), just as
ments for all three groups. This was based it was in the 2016 version.
on many questions coming into the AISC
Steel Solution Center for guidance on Shear Strength of Filled Composite
requirements for Group 2 and Group 3 and Members
because the AISC Specification has become Nominal shear strength of filled
the single source standard for composite composite members gets a boost in the
design in the United States. The broader new Specification. Section I4.2 has been
application was acknowledged in the new updated based on research showing
Commentary Section I1.1 General Pro- how the steel section and concrete infill
Fig. 4. Group 3 example: encased
visions, which states: “Structural steel jointly contribute to the shear strength of reinforced concrete column.
and reinforced concrete are sometimes the member.

steelwise
The 2016 version permitted three options to calculate

shear strength. This included the available shear strength of
the steel section alone, the available shear strength of the
reinforced concrete portion as defined by ACI 318, or the
nominal shear strength of the steel section plus reinforcing
steel. In many cases, these three options produced overly
conservative nominal shear strengths.
The new Equation I4-1 in the 2022 Specification (see Fig-
ure 5) takes into account both the plastic shear strength of
the steel tube and the contribution of the concrete infill fac-
tored by Kc , which depends on shear span-to-depth ratio,
cross-section shape (rectangular or round), and compos-
ite compactness. Reinforcing steel was not found to have
a significant contribution to the strength and is therefore
neglected for simplicity. The bottom line is that designers
will be able to get substantially more shear strength out of
filled composite members.
Composite construction offers cost-effective design
approaches that provide the opportunity to harness the most
valuable characteristics of steel and concrete for structural
systems. The integration of expanded provisions on com-
posite construction in the AISC Specification and the AISC
Fig. 5. The new Equation I4-1 in the 2022 Specification. Seismic Provisions opens up new opportunities related to
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16 | JANUARY 2023
steelwise
composite design. Through ongoing work,

it is anticipated that new provisions in the
next cycle of these documents will con-
tinue to expand the scope of opportunity
to design using composite steel-concrete
structural systems. ■
You can find the AISC Specification and Seis-

mic Provisions at aisc.org/specifications.
The authors would like to thank the mem-

bers of AISC Task Committee 5 on Compos-
ite Design for their contributions to the new
provisions on composite construction in the
2022 versions of the AISC Specification and
Seismic Provisions.
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steelwise
Talking through the Code

BY BABETTE FREUND, BILL ANDREWS, PHILIP TORCHIO, AND JONATHAN TAVAREZ
A “conversation” between an engineer, a fabricator, and an erector provides a look

into the latest version of the AISC Code of Standard Practice.
LONG GONE ARE THE days when fabricator, and the erector. Let’s listen in on to the contrary shall not violate any provi-
the AISC Code of Standard Practice for Steel this hypothetical interview as these three sions of the building code, and the contract
Buildings and Bridges (ANSI/AISC 303) was parties share their thoughts on the major with the fabricator or erector shall iden-
considered the “fabricator’s handbook.” revisions incorporated in the latest version. tify by Code section number any specific
As the construction industry has evolved, instructions to the contrary not contained
so too has the Code into a framework for Section 1.1 in the design documents or specifications.
the entire project team: the owner, struc- Section 1.1 provisions were revised If specific instructions to the contrary have
tural engineer, fabricator, and erector to to strengthen the Code and provide clear not been provided as required, the provi-
successfully deliver structural steel projects. requirements when specific instructions sions of the Code shall apply.
It can be said that the Code serves as the to the contrary are included in contract This revision provides a greater level
structural steel Rules of Engagement. As documents. of understanding among all parties as to
business management author Patrick Len- ENGINEER: Understand that the what the project and scope expectations
cioni once penned, “If you could get all the provisions of the Code will govern unless are and how those expectations shall be
people in an organization rowing in the the owner’s designated representative for achieved. This benefits not only fabricators
same direction, you could dominate any design (ODRD) provides alternate instruc- but rather all parties involved in the project.
industry, in any market.” tions for the design and structural engineer A common understanding of the responsi-
The new 2022 Code addresses several of record (SEOR) in the contract docu- bilities and expectations of each party is the
areas of concern in the industry while also ments. When the ODRD/SEOR provides first and most important step in delivering
providing clearer harmonization with the “instructions to the contrary” in the con- a project on time and within the specifica-
AISC Specification for Structural Steel Build- tract documents, they must 1) be specific tion requirements. Time spent previously
ings (ANSI/AISC 360). There are three as to what is in variance (a tolerance on debating the scope of work and assigning
important perspectives from which the fabrication or erection, submittal require- responsibility can now be spent fulfilling
Code can be considered: the engineer, the ments, QA/QC requirements, etc.), 2) not project requirements.
violate the International Building Code (IBC) ERECTOR: A major change in the
by modifying provisions of the Code, which Code is the requirement for any instruc-
are incorporated by reference into the IBC, tions to the contrary to reference the Code
either directly or indirectly through the section that is to be excluded. If not, the
Specification, and 3) maintain consistency Code stands as written for any project that
with the other provisions of the Code. involves fabricated structural steel regard-
ANSI/AISC 303-22
An American National Standard
FABRICATOR: One of the many chal- less of delivery method. The Commen-
Code of lenges that the Code in general, and more tary then suggests, regardless of delivery
specifically, Fabricators, have faced is a lack method, that the parties discuss the scope
Standard Practice of compliance among trades with the provi- prior to document release for construction
Steel Buildings
for sions contained in the Code, especially when to ensure an understanding of the respon-
and Bridges specific instructions to the contrary are sibilities of the parties and any instructions
cited in a scope of work discrepancy, and to the contrary.
May 9, 2022
those specific instructions have not been
The Commentary to Section 1.1
Supersedes the Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges,
clearly noted and/or easily identifiable.
Section 1.1 has been revised to specifi- The Commentary to Section 1.1 was
Approved by the Committee on the Code of Standard Practice
cally address this challenge. The 2022 Code expanded and clarified to achieve a com-
now clearly states, as part of the Code lan- mon understanding of the responsibilities
guage (not Commentary), that the Code and expectations of each party.
shall apply to all projects that involve fab- ENGINEER: The Commentary has
ricated structural steel. Further, unless spe- been expanded to emphasize the value of
cifically noted in the contract documents, communication and collaboration between
all provisions apply. Specific instructions all project stakeholders prior to the design
18 | JANUARY 2023
steelwise
documents being released for construction. the timeframe of preceding trades to Section 2.2
There is a recommendation to conduct understand the schedule goals. Steel used as piling or other piling
a preconstruction meeting with the key Changes to Section 1.7 now address accessories was added to Section 2.2 as
stakeholders in the structural steel deliv- that challenge. The change requires the “other steel, iron, or metal items.”
ery—the owner’s designated representative ODRC to provide a construction sched- ENGINEER: The SEOR shows all the
for construction (ODRC), ODRD, fab- ule in the bid documents. Further, the structural elements in their design docu-
ricator, erector, and detailer. View it as an performance period by the steel fabricator ments according to their contract with
opportunity to create clarity in the project and erector shall be mutually agreed upon their client, including steel items that the
requirements while reducing risk. A sample before awarding the contract. Code may classify as “other steel.” Suppose
meeting agenda could discuss some or all This section is extremely helpful to fab- the SEOR intends that these items, such as
of the following: ricators. Many fabricators have multiple steel piling, be treated as structural steel.
• Project schedule projects running through their shops at In that case, these items need to be speci-
• Material availability once. As a result, the ability to accurately fied explicitly in the contract documents as
• Substitutions schedule and shop load while implement- structural steel. This is an opportunity to
• Submittal process ing timely updates is critical. Scheduling exercise the “instructions to the contrary”
• Variances from Code provisions and shop loading as soon as a bid is com- provision of Section 1.1. The ODRC must
• Delegated connection design mitted are extremely important in planning discuss with their trade partners who will
• Use of the ODRD’s 3D model for labor and materials and ensuring timely provide the “other steel” and according to
• Special erection procedures ordering, fabrication, and delivery. which standard, if not specified in the con-
• Testing and inspection ENGINEER: The ODRD should tract documents.
• AESS and painting request a copy of the ODRC’s construc- FABRICATOR: Fabricators are often
• Value engineering opportunities tion schedule to inform their work plan- asked to provide material for a project that
• Timing of SEOR site visits ning for submittal reviews and the timing does not fall within the scope of structural
of site visits. steel. One such material often in question
New: Section 1.7 ERECTOR: A construction schedule is steel used as piling or piling accessories.
A new Section 1.7 was added with provi- has been added as a requirement for the The 2022 Code has been updated to
sions on construction scheduling. ODRC to include in the bid documents. clearly note that steel used as piling or
FABRICATOR: What’s a fabricator's Further, the agreement of the fabricator piling accessories does not fall within the
first question (beyond “how many tons”)? and erector to the proposed schedule is category of structural steel, and is not the
“When do you need steel”? required before the contract award. The responsibility of the fabricator, unless
Typically, the answer is verbal and is mutual agreement is crucial as we have all specifically addressed and agreed upon
seldom accompanied by a project schedule seen schedules change with every activity contractually.
that enables the fabricator to understand except the end date!

steelwise
Section 3.0 and its Commentary ENGINEER: Section 3.1 defines the FABRICATOR: Section 3.1 now
Section 3.0 and its Commentary were requirements of structural design docu- refers to the Specification for the require-
revised to coordinate with the Specification. ments “issued for construction,” a new ments of what should be included in the
ENGINEER: In probably the most term defined in the glossary. The detailed design documents. Since the Specification
significant Code update in recent editions, requirements and the associated Com- is fully incorporated into the IBC, there is
Section 3 has been significantly revised, mentary have been moved to Section A4 now no question as to what is required to
introducing new terminology of “issu- of the Specification and are incorporated be shown for trades to accurately provide
ing” design documents by the ODRD and here by reference. This list in Section bids without assumptions.
“releasing” design documents by the ODRC A4 will look familiar to the SEOR, as it Further, Section 3.1 now clearly
along with the purposes of these actions. was found in prior editions of the Code in requires that when painting is required, the
This parallels the revisions in Section A4.2 Section 3.1. New to the list of require- following must be provided:
of the Specification, which are referenced in ments for structural design documents is • Specific members identified
the Commentary of Section 3. See Table 1 (c) Shop Painting and Surface Preparation • Surface prep clearly noted
for a summary of these terms. Requirements. The SEOR’s designation • Paint specifications and
FABRICATOR: The 2022 Code clearly of structural design documents as “issued manufacturer product identification,
addresses the difference between issuing for construction” indicates they are autho- including color
design documents and releasing design rized to be used to construct the steel • Minimum dry film shop coat
documents (and specifications), as well as structure. It follows the SEOR’s tradi- thickness
who is responsible for each. This will serve tional use of this term on their documents • Shop- and field-applied paint system
to help eliminate the question of what that the design is complete, approved by compatibility
should be done with design documents the government AHJ (authority having • Party responsible for touch-up,
when received and whether the design doc- jurisdiction) with a building permit, and including repair of shipping and
uments were received based on issuance or the documents possess a PE seal from the handling damage after shop
a release. engineer-of-record. The fabricator can application
Great care has been taken to coordinate then use these documents for ordering If this information is not available at the
the 2022 Code with the 2022 Specification. steel and detailing. time of the bid, the fabricator is entitled to
Terminology has been harmonized, and ERECTOR: In Section 3.1(c)(6), the an equitable contract price and schedule
redundancy between publications has been party responsible for field touch-up and adjustment.
eliminated. It is important to remember repair of shipping and handling damage The clarity provided concerning coat-
that the Specification is incorporated in the must be specified in the structural design ings in this section will further strengthen
IBC, and, therefore, the 2022 Code is now documents and specifications issued for the understanding of all contracting par-
incorporated by reference. construction. The sentence following ties as to which parties are responsible for
directs the erector/fabricator to omit this what scope of work items. Field touch-up
Section 3.1 scope from the bid if not specified, and has always been a contentious issue and
A new Section 3.1 was added with provi- when the requirements are furnished, the has often resulted in costly back-charges
sions on structural design documents and contract price and schedule shall be equita- as a result of a lack of clarity in the con-
specifications issued for construction. This bly adjusted. Section 3.1(d) requires mem- tracting process.
section also contains updated requirements bers to be handled as AESS and be desig-
and guidance on painting responsibilities. nated in the construction documents.
Table 1: Structural Design Documents and Specifications

2022
Issuing AISC-
Term Entity Receiver Purpose Design Complete? 303 Ref.
Released for Construction ODRC To Establish a Steel Contract; Glossary;
> no change from the 2016 (Owner, Fabricator Ordering steel, detailing, and Yes 303-4.1;
edition CM, GC) fabrication 303-5.1
Released for (any other purpose) Owner, GC, CM, As stated in the Structural Documents No—Qualified by Glossary;
> new in 2022 edition CM, GC Cost Est., (Cost Estimate; Bidding; GMP; “Purpose of Drawings” 303-3.2.2;
Peer Rev. Peer Review; Constructability Review) Statement 360-A4.2
Issued for Construction ODRD Owner Yes; PE Seal, AHJ Glossary;
> new in 2022 edition (SEOR) and GC Construction approval with building 303-3.1;
permit 360-A4.1
Issued for (any other purpose) ODRD GC, CM, As stated in the Structural Documents No (unless issued for Glossary;
> new in 2022 edition (SEOR) Cost Est., (Bidding; Cost Estimate; GMP; Owner Permit Review by AHJ)— 303-3.2;
Peer Rev., or Peer Review; AE Coordination; Qualified by “Purpose of 360-A4.2
AHJ Constructability Review, AHJ Permit) Drawings” statement
20 | JANUARY 2023
steelwise
Section 3.2
A new (Section 3.2) was added with pro-
visions for structural design documents and
specifications issued as contract documents.
ENGINEER: Section 3.2 introduces
new provisions for design documents
issued by the ODRD as contract docu-
ments. These new provisions differenti-
ate between issuing design documents
as a basis for contract documents under
the traditional design-bid-build delivery
method and issuing drawings as the basis
for a contract under an alternate project
delivery method. These alternate delivery
methods may include design-build (stipu-
lated sum or progressive), integrated proj-
ect delivery (IPD), construction-manager-
at-risk, P3, lease-leaseback, negotiated
GMP, and others. Section 3.2.2 further
states that when an alternative project
delivery method is used, the release of
the structural design documents is for the
expressed purpose stated on the drawings
issued by the SEOR, as stated in Section 3.
The benefit to the SEOR is that for many
years, structural design documents have
been issued for some purpose other than
for construction—for pricing, bidding,
owner review, GMP, etc. The Code now
explicitly acknowledges these alternative
project delivery methods where the SEOR
defines the purpose for which documents
are being issued and the responsibility of
the owner and ODRC to release them only
for that stated purpose. A good, descrip-
tive “purpose of documents” statement is
essential for design documents issued for
any purpose other than for construction.
Section 3.2 further states that when
structural design documents are issued as
contract documents and do not include all
the information required for a complete
design as defined in Section 3.1, allowances
for items not defined in partially complete
design documents are to be provided in the
contract with the fabricator. Nonetheless,
the structural design documents must con-
vey the “character, quantity, and complex-
ity of the structural steel to be fabricated
and erected” so that the Fabricators have a
rational basis for developing bid prices.
The revised Section 3.2.2 provides
enhanced guidance to the entire project
team on effectively using allowances and
the subsequent equitable adjustments to
contract price and schedule.

steelwise
Revisions in Section 3.2.3: Require-

ments for Connections – Option 3 clarified
that the SEOR is required to show project-
specific connection detail concepts and not
just “typical” details, which may not be
directly applicable. The robust Commen-
tary to Section 3.2.3 now includes a dis-
cussion of transfer forces and the SEOR’s
responsibility to specify them.
ERECTOR: Section 3.2.2: The major
changes in this edition of the Code focus
on alternative delivery methods for con-
struction. This method now comprises
most of the structural work and provides
the greatest opportunity for a highly effi-
cient project or, if not implemented cor-
rectly, problems for all the parties involved.
The erector being the tail that wags the
dog, often has the least contract protection
being a third-tier subcontractor subject to
the pass-through contract requirements
of the owner to the ODRC to the fabri-
cator, often with no bond protection, and
being the last entity to touch the structure
is often looked at as the proximate cause
of late delivery or quality issues. The new
changes in the Code provide the best frame-
work of Code and Commentary to level
the field and ensure a chance for success.
It focuses on communication between the
parties and mutual agreement on what is
shown and what is not. Section 3.2.1 lists
the information critical for preparing a
complete bid for the work. Then when any
of the information is not specified, the fab-
ricator and erector shall provide allowances
per section 9.1.5, which says, “When an
allowance for work is called for in the con-
tract documents, and the associated work
is subsequently defined as to the quantity,
complexity, and timing of that work after
the contract is executed, the contract price
for this work shall be adjusted by change
order.” This clearly means that when the
work to be done is defined, the allowance
will be adjusted to reflect the work required.
The Commentary further urges the
parties to work together to identify work
not shown in the released contract docu-
ments, mutually agree, and document this
work so it can be priced as the design is
completed. The Commentary also reminds
the owner that alternative delivery meth-
ods may speed the process, but this benefit
may be offset by cost and schedule impacts
as the unknown requirements are revealed.
22 | JANUARY 2023
steelwise
FABRICATOR: For alternative deliv-

ery methods, the 2022 Code requires that
the contract documents convey the charac-
ter, quantity, and complexity of the struc-
tural steel to be fabricated and erectors.
This allows the fabricator and erector to
provide bids that are accurate and com-
plete, without assumption. It is essential
for everyone to understand the list of the
minimum requirements, (a) through (g),
that must be included in the design docu-
ments and specifications. This creates an
even playing field for all involved in the
bidding process.
Section 4.5
In Section 4.5, requirements were
added for the review of fabrication and Section 6.1 where the paint is exposed to atmospheric
erection documents, including additional In Section 6.1, preferred material speci- conditions or corrosive conditions that are
commentary guidance. fications were updated to parallel the 16th more severe than the intended use of the
FABRICATOR: Many fabricators con- Edition AISC Steel Construction Manual. paint. Further, the fabricator is not respon-
tract to fabricate structural steel from fabri- ENGINEER: The revisions to “shop sible for deterioration when painted mem-
cation documents that are not furnished by standard material” in Section 6.1.1 are bers are stored for unanticipated durations
the fabricator. When the fabrication docu- coordinated with similar revisions to Table due to project delays not caused by the
ments are furnished by others, changes to 2-4 in the 16th Edition Manual. Updates fabricator.
the 2022 Code require that these documents to the shop-standard material for channels, Handling damage or damage during
be reviewed and approved by the ODRD. angles, plates, and other shapes are based transportation is not the responsibility of
As a result, the fabricator is not responsible on an extensive survey by AISC of fabrica- the fabricator unless the painted material is
for the coordination or accuracy of the fab- tors and mills of steel materials in produc- under the direct control of the fabricator or
rication and erection documents that were tion and readily available. Material avail- a subcontractor of the fabricator.
furnished, nor is the fabricator responsible ability can always be verified through the Unless specifically provided for in the
for the general fit-up of the members that AISC website at aisc.org/steelavailability. contract documents, the properties of the
are fabricated, as long as fabrication is in FABRICATOR: This section has been optional shop coat are at the discretion of
accordance with the documents provided. updated to coordinate with the 16th Edi- the fabricator. Touch-ups and abrasions
This section now also requires that tion Manual to eliminate any confusion or caused by shipping and handling after
these documents be delivered to the fabri- discrepancy when specifying and ordering painting shall be the responsibility of the
cator in a timely manner. materials. contractor that performs the touch in the
ERECTOR: Section 4.5: Fabrication field or field painting.
and/or Erection Documents not Furnished Section 6.4
by the Fabricator provides cautionary lan- In Section 6.4 the paint and steel clean- Section 7.10
guage regarding the preparation of fabrica- ing provisions were expanded. In Section 7.10, there is added Com-
tion and erection drawings by a party other FABRICATOR: Field touch-up and mentary to clarify shoring requirements.
than the fabricator. If the owner or ODRC handling damage has been an area of con- ERECTOR: These requirements
does direct another party to prepare fabri- tention over the course of many projects would not be apparent to the erector and
cation documents, the Code now requires and can result in extensive cost. Disputes must be provided by the ODRD, and ref-
the ODRD to review and approve the sub- may arise when responsibilities are not erence to Section A4 of the Specification for
mitted documents. Further, the fabricator clearly defined in the contract documents. cantilever conditions is provided. Section
and erector shall not be responsible for Additions and changes to Section 6.4 of the 7.10.3 expands the requirements for the
any failure of the material fabricated and 2022 Code have been made to help mini- erector to determine the need and to pro-
erected in accordance with the furnished mize or eliminate the dispute. vide all temporary structures, shoring, fram-
documents. Additional clarification regarding paint ing, and cabling to facilitate the erection of
The Commentary then lists in 14 bullet and steel cleaning has been added to the the structure. This will include the design
points, enumerating most of the potential 2022 Code. Section 6.4.4 specifically notes of these items. This design shall adequately
issues with using this method. that the fabricator is not responsible for support the structure for erection forces and
the deterioration of the shop-applied paint environment, including wind.

steelwise
Section 7.13 information regarding the structure’s sta- Suppose AESS requirements for bolted con-
Section 7.13 clarifies that the ODRC bility as required in section 7.10.1. nections are invoked by the AESS category
shall determine that the steel is acceptable specified. In that case, the SEOR is respon-
for plumbness elevation. Section 10.4 sible for providing those requirements in the
ERECTOR: This requirement also In Section 10.4, the AESS fabrication design documents, such as “all bolted con-
includes ensuring alignment and the steel requirements were updated. nections shall have bolt heads on the north
is in accordance with the Code, Specification, ENGINEER: Revisions to Section 10: and east sides of the connections.”
and project specification and provides the Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel
erector with timely notice thereof. are primarily clarifications, enhancements, Table 10.1
and transfers of the footnotes from Table Table 10.1 was revised to align with Sec-
Section 10.3 10.1 into the body of the Code. These revi- tion 10.4 AESS requirement revisions.
Section 10.3 now states that the ODRD sions also bring greater alignment between ENGINEER: Revisions to Table 10.1:
is not responsible for job site safety during the Code text and the content of Table 10.1. AESS Category Matrix harmonize the
erection. In Section 10.4, revisions to the require- requirements and text of the table with the
ERECTOR: The new Commen- ments for the removal of weld backing and Code language, including the transference of
tary notes that the erector is primarily run-off tabs now refer to the AISC Seis- the (previously hard to read) table footnotes
responsible for the safety and stability of mic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings into the body of the Code. A column was
the structure during erection unless this (ANSI/AISC 341) and the applicable AWS added to the table providing reference to
responsibility is assigned to another party welding standard for compliance. the applicable Code sections for each AESS
in the contract. This Commentary reminds Also, in Section 10.4, language was added characteristic; this is highlighted in Table 2.
the ODRC that it has legal responsi- to clarify that the requirement for bolted con- FABRICATOR: The Code continues
bility for safety-related site conditions nections to have bolt heads on the same side to address and clarify the expectations for
under the OSHA Steel Erection Standard of the connection and consistency between AESS. Changes to the 2022 edition of the
(CFR 1926.750). Further, the engineer is connections does not extend to matching the Code further clarify fabrication requirements,
reminded of his responsibilities to provide “clocking” orientation of all the bolt heads. weld access holes, and Code language har-
monization with the table. These changes
continue to ensure that the expectations of
all parties are clearly agreed upon and can
be met within the contracted scope of work.
TABLE 10.1
ERECTOR: In Section 10, AESS
AESS Category Matrix
requirements have been clarified. Spe-
Category cifically, Category C is defined as custom
Reference
AESS 4 AESS 3 AESS 2 AESS 1 requirements that may be stricter than
ID Characteristics Feature Feature
Section Showcase Elements Elements Basic AESS Categories 1 through 4 and must be
Elements in Close not in Elements clearly defined in the contract documents.
View Close View
Butt and plug weld reinforcement limited to
Category C has been removed from Table
1.1 1 10.4.9 • •
/16 in. (2 mm) 10.1. Table 10.1 has been revised to state
1.2 Surface preparation to meet paint specification 10.4.11 • • • • the requirements for each category clearly.
1.3 Sharp edges eased 10.4.7 • • • •
1.4 Continuous weld appearance 10.4.8 • • • • Section 10.6
1.5 Consistent bolt appearance 10.4.1(g) • • • • A new Commentary was added to Sec-
1.6 Weld spatters removed 10.4.8 • • • • tion 10.6 to provide guidance on weld
access holes.
2.1 Mock-ups 10.1.2 • • Optional
ERECTOR: Fabrication requirements
The fabricated product shall have one-half the 10.4.3(b)
2.2
applicable ASTM or AWS straightness tolerance & 10.4.5
• • • are listed separately from erection require-
2.3 Fabrication, and erection marks not visible 10.4.2 • • • ments to ensure that each party’s respon-
sibilities are understood. The erector is
3.1 Mill marks not visible 10.4.2 • • required to remove all weld backing and
3.2 Butt and plug welds ground smooth and filled 10.4.9 • • run-off tabs on field welded connections.
3.3 HSS weld seam oriented for reduced visibility 10.4.12 • • For AESS Category 4, open holes shall be
3.4 Cross-sectional abutting surfaces aligned 10.4.3(a) • • filled. Weld access holes are not to be filled
3.5 Joint gap tolerances minimized 10.4.6 • • with weld. Weld access holes shall only be
filled using non-weldable material such as
4.1 HSS seam treated to comply with mock-up 10.4.12 • Table 2: AESS Category Matrix body filler. The Commentary refers the
4.2 Welds contoured and blended 10.4.8 • Found in Table 10.1 of the Code
erector to the requirements of AWS D1.1
4.3 Surfaces filled and sanded 10.4.7 • Notes:
D1.8 and the Seismic Provisions with partic-
1. AESS C are custom elements with characteristics described in the contract documents.
Weld show-through to meet acceptance criteria
4.4
established by mock-up
10.4.10
1. AESS C are custom elements •
with characteristics described in the contract documents. ular attention to the seismic requirements
2. Standard structural steel contains no AESS characteristics.
contained in these documents.
24 | JANUARY 2023
steelwise
ENGINEER: The new commentary lan- noncompliance, and remediation should be
guage to Section 10.6 limits the filling weld addressed by pre-planning and mutual agree-
access holes to only use non-weldable mate- ment prior to the commencement of fabrica-
rial such as body filler and references welding tion and erection. Pre-detailed adjustable floor
standards AWS D1.1 and D1.8 for additional connections, column splice details, and field fix
Commentary as to why filling weld access details should be considered, as should their
holes with weld metal is prohibited. effects on cost and schedule.
Complex structures are also discussed,
Section 11 with an emphasis on erector-braced and
Section 11 was added to compile all fab- shored material that is subsequently lowered
rication and erection tolerances in one loca- per the erection plan and will result in the
tion. This addition also included the removal deflection of connected material. Commen-
of Sections 6.4 and 7.13 from the 2016 Code. tary suggests that the ODRD provides a 3D
FABRICATOR: Section 11 has been design model to aid the fabricator and erec-
added to the 2022 Code to incorporate all tor in achieving an erection plan that will
required tolerances into one section. Cam- accommodate the shoring and bracing move-
ber tolerances are now included, along with ment in the unloading operation. Agreement
additional guidance in the Commentary. on the sequence and schedule of lowering of
This section provides essential guidance shoring and removal of bracing between the
to fabricators to ensure that the fabricated fabricator, erector, and the ODRC is recom-
structural steel is in conformance with all mended. A further agreement on the actual
fabrication tolerances and allows for proper tolerances of the unloaded structure must be
planning and execution. mutually agreed upon when they may differ
from the Code requirements.
Section 11.2
Section 11.2 includes new and expanded Final Thoughts
fabrication tolerances, including those appli- In addition to the information conveyed
cable to camber. Additional guidance was in this “interview,” it should also be noted
also added to the Commentary. that all the tolerance figures in the new Sec-
ENGINEER: There is a new Com- tion 11 were updated to align with the code
mentary in Sections 11.2 and 11.3 directed language revisions and glossary terms, and
at the SEOR for fabrication and erection the entire Code has been editorially revised
tolerances, respectively. Suppose the SEOR for consistency with current terms and other
determines tolerances in addition to those related documents. While the 2022 Code will
specified in the Code are required by the not be adopted by the IBC until 2024, this
design concept. In that case, those tolerances should not discourage users from referring
(fabrication or erection) need to be identi- to specifying this current version. Through
fied in the contract documents, and they the feedback loop provided by our commit-
should be expressed in terms consistent with tee volunteers, this cycle added a lot of value
those found in Section 11. that will greatly benefit the industry.
At this point, we hope you have a better
Section 11.3 understanding of the updates to the latest ver-
Section 11.3 includes new and expanded sion of the Code. And if you want to be part of
Babette Freund is executive vice
erection tolerances. the process, most AISC committees are open to
president of Dave Steel Company,
ERECTOR: Erection tolerances remain guests, and we welcome all to attend who are
Inc., Bill Andrews is an associate
basically the same, with Commentary supple- interested. Committee rosters run on a two-
principal with Buehler, Philip Torchio
menting the Code and providing a better expla- year cycle, and staff is continuously seeking
is the retired CEO of WEOGA, and
nation of the requirements. This Commentary interested and active volunteers to join as mem-
Jonathan Tavarez is AISC’s New
includes the issue of column splice elevations bers. If you are interested in applying for a posi-
York structural steel specialist.
and floor elevation variations that results tion on one of our committees, please complete
from fabrication and erection tolerances that the application found at aisc.org/technical-
accumulate coupled with possible differential resources/committee-application/, and reach
shortening of the structure. The Commen- out to Martin Downs (downs@aisc.org) to be
tary states that the construction team should added to the guest list. ■
determine performance requirements that
should be addressed in the contract documents. You can find the mentioned AISC publications at
Means of elevation measurements, reporting, aisc.org/specifications.

data driven
New Year, New Outlook

BY JEFF CARLSON
While bridge construction costs rose significantly over the past couple of years,
things appear to be leveling off, and steel bridges are positioned for a strong 2023.
Fig. 1.
Producer Price Index – Highway and Street Construction
200
Fabricated Steel Plate (Indexed)
190
Prestressed Concrete (Indexed)
180
Inputs to Highways and Streets (Indexed)
170
160
150
140
130
120
110
100
90
2020Q1 2020Q2 2020Q3 2020Q4 2021Q1 2021Q2 2021Q3 2021Q4 2022Q1 2022Q2 2022Q3
Source: ARTBA (and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) since March 2020 (updated on November 21, 2022)
THERE’S NO GETTING AROUND off as of the last few months (see Figure to get up-to-date lead time informa-
the fact that construction costs have risen 1). In these uncertain inflationary times, it tion. (Visit aisc.org/nsba/get-involved/
significantly in recent years. is important to remember a few key points certified-bridge-members for a map of
The Producer Price Index (PPI) for related to the steel bridge industry. AISC certified bridge members.)
“Inputs to Highways and Streets,” as First, the time it takes from when an Next, the implementation of the
reported by the American Road and order is submitted to a steel bridge fab- Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Transportation Builders Association ricator to when it is ready for delivery (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act
(ARTBA) and the U.S. Bureau of Labor (aka lead time) is generally back to pre- (IRA) will certainly have an impact on
Statistics, illustrates an increase in con- pandemic levels. Due to various economic the trajectory of the entire infrastructure
struction costs of approximately 37% factors, lead times did go up during the sector, including the bridge industry.
since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic but have generally reverted Proper implementation of this new leg-
pandemic (March 2020 to October 2022), back to “normal.” NSBA recommends islation will directly affect the capacity
though these costs appear to be leveling contacting a local steel bridge fabricator of the steel bridge industry and also the
26 | JANUARY 2023
data driven
aforementioned lead times. The steel to the individual power plants and manu-
bridge industry has the capacity to handle facturing sites around the world–and that
the increased workload from the IIJA and emissions from U.S. steel manufacturing
IRA, but bridge owners are encouraged facilities are at least three times less than
to roll out new projects on a systematic those from around the world.
basis to ensure that the industry doesn’t Taking a look at the overall picture,
get overloaded and therefore drive up U.S. infrastructure and the steel bridge
lead times. industry are poised to make tremendous
Lastly, the U.S. steel industry is the strides in the coming years. New legisla-
cleanest in the world and should only tion and the ever-changing economic Jeff Carlson (carlson@aisc.org) is
get better in the future. A November landscape will have an impact that is sure NSBA’s senior director of market
9, 2022, New York Times article (“Who’s to grow the industry. Steel bridge pric- development.
Driving Climate Change? New Data ing appears to be stabilizing, lead times
Catalogs 72,000 Polluters and Count- are back to “normal” levels, and the steel
ing”) discussed an analysis of greenhouse industry is leading the way to create the
gas emissions by a nonprofit coalition most sustainable construction material.
of environmental groups called Climate All of this points to a strong 2023 for the
TRACE. The author of the article postu- steel bridge industry despite the rise in
lates that emissions can be tracked down overall construction costs. ■
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field notes
Lifelong Learner and Teacher

INTERVIEW BY GEOFF WEISENBERGER
Chris Raebel’s life thus far has been a fruitful and varied journey, all without having to
stray from the city he loves—Milwaukee—for too long.
YOU COULD SAY that Chris Raebel’s

professional life has, by design, taken place
in distinct phases.
After graduating with an architectural
engineering degree from Milwaukee School
of Engineering (MSOE), he practiced engi-
neering for a while, earned a master’s degree,
dabbled in college instruction to the point
where he knew he wanted to do it full-time,
earned a PhD, then returned to MSOE as a
professor for nearly two decades, where he
eventually became the chair of the Depart-
ment of Civil and Architectural Engineer-
ing and Construction Management and the
director of the Architectural Engineering
program. And his drive to teach and learn
more pushed him to become AISC’s vice Chris with his wife, Mary, in historic Cedarburg, Wis.
president of engineering and research this
past summer, succeeding Larry Kruth (now I love Milwaukee. And it’s easy to get to at Penn State. I ended up working at a
vice president of special projects). from Chicago. Tell me about how you small firm in Milwaukee. I learned some-
We recently discussed the details of got into the world of buildings. thing interesting from the project manager
his career path, what made him shift his I’ve always liked architecture, even as a there, and it’s a quote that’s always stuck
focus from architecture to engineering at younger child. I think I just liked the con- with me because he was the person that
an early age, how being a professor is as cept of buildings and enclosed spaces and would deal with the general contractor. So
much about learning as it is teaching, his trying to make something functional. And he would take the heat sometimes when
advice for students embarking on their when I got to high school, I took several something was lagging, the schedule or
careers, and his lifelong passion for karate drafting classes. I enjoyed the drawing part whatever the reason was, and his quote was,
and how it has pushed him to turn his black and I took mechanical drafting and archi- “I don’t mind having a little bit of egg on my
belt white again. tectural graphics, and I liked the architec- face as long as I’ve learned something new.”
tural graphics more than the mechanical And I’ve always taken that to heart. He was
Where are you from originally? drafting. So when I started thinking about willing to take a little heat if something
I’m from a suburb of Milwaukee, Frank- universities, I talked to my high school wasn’t going the way it was supposed to so
lin, Wis. I lived there for my entire childhood, drafting teacher and asked him whether that he could redirect it. I really appreci-
and I’ve been in the Milwaukee area most of I should go into engineering—because ated his approach.
my life, with a short stint at Penn State. I enjoyed math as well—or architecture.
And he asked me a very good question: That’s a great attitude! Switching gears
“Do you like money?” I said, “Sure, I like a bit, what made you want to transition
money. Everybody likes money.” And he from the design world to academia?
Field Notes is Modern said, “You’re good at math. Go be an engi- In the early 2000s, 2002 or so, I had
Steel Construction’s neer. You’ll make more money being an this interest in teaching. I had returned to
podcast series, where engineer.” And that’s kind of how I got into MSOE a few times to judge some senior
we interview people architectural engineering. I was able to get project presentations and whatnot, and I
from all corners of the best of both worlds. just enjoyed being in that atmosphere. So I
the structural steel I graduated from MSOE in 1994 and taught a class once a quarter or a few times
industry with interesting stories to tell. practiced engineering for several years a year, and I found that I really enjoyed
Listen in at modernsteel.com/podcasts. before I went on to get my master’s degree teaching and working with students and
28 | JANUARY 2023
field notes
getting the aha moments from them more go-to advice you provide when they’re here to learn how to defend ourselves and
than I enjoyed some of the daily doldrums about to go out into the real world? to fight effectively. It’s one of those things
of practice. At that point, I’d finished my One thing that’s been a constant theme that I grew an interest in, a passion for,
master’s degree, and shortly thereafter, the from me—and this is painting in very and it’s really helped me in a lot of aspects
MSOE department chair at the time asked broad strokes—is that engineers feel like of life because it’s not just about fighting.
me if I’d ever be interested in being a full- they need to know everything at all times. It’s about being resilient; it’s about having
time faculty member. At the time, I was still They can’t have a wrong answer or can’t a strong mental attitude, especially when
happy where I was and told her I enjoyed ask a question. I’ve met a lot of students things aren’t going well. I haven’t done it
teaching on a part-time basis but wanted that had that feeling, and I’ve met a lot of formally for a few years now just because
to stay in practice for the time being. And practicing engineers with the same attitude. other things in life take precedence, but
about a year later, around 2005, she asked And what I’ve tried to impart to students is the lessons I’ve learned along the way feed
me the same question, and I thought that, that you’re not going to know everything, me to this day. And my instructor is still
yes, the next direction for me was to go and the person you’re talking to might teaching. The place is still open, and it’s
through the process of becoming a full- know the things you need to know that you wonderful to see that it’s remained suc-
time faculty member, and I was fortunate don’t. I have been in that position quite a cessful all these years.
enough to be hired. bit in the fabrication world. When I talk to One thing that my instructor told me,
One of the stipulations was that most a fabricator, I don’t pretend to know their and I took this to heart—and it kind of
faculty at universities have a doctoral job. But what I can do is throw some ques- aligns with what we’ve been talking about
degree, and I didn’t. So MSOE told me to tions and comments out there, things that regarding education and going into prac-
find a university and enroll in a doctoral hopefully bring the design to a better place. tice—is that the easy part is to make your
program, and they’d pay for it. (Thank you, Something else that I’ve tried to impress belt turn black, but the hard part is making
MSOE!) I went to Marquette University, upon students is that engineers are not sup- it turn white again. You become a black
and it was a fantastic program, a smaller posed to simply go into a dark room with a belt, which is about a five-year process in
program, with great faculty. I ended up flickering fluorescent light and run calcula- our system. So if you look at a lot of people
finishing the program in five years. tions and not talk to people. If you’re going that have been doing martial arts for 40 or
to be successful in this business, you have 50 years, their belts are tattered and there
That’s great to hear. What was it like to be able to talk to people, and you have might still be some strands of black, but
teaching your first class as a professor? to be able to make sure that your design most of it is white because it’s frayed and
I suppose the prior teaching experience is not just seen but also heard, and that the dye has gone away. In other words, the
helped prepare you for it. can only be done with a conversation. Stu- goal isn’t to get the black belt, the goal is
Yes, the previous experience helped. dents already have technical acumen, but to get back to having a white belt, and that
Classroom instruction is an interesting what they sometimes lack is the ability to takes your entire life. ■
thing. The first class that I taught was present their designs and ideas. And that’s
actually a graduate-level steel design class, also a matter of gaining confidence and This column was excerpted from my
so the students already had a good under- understanding that there will sometimes conversation with Chris. To hear more
standing of engineering. Many of those be difficult conversations, but you’ll learn from him, including his involvement in
students were in practice or working on a from them. steel research, the balance of architectural
master’s degree part-time. So going back engineering, why he loves Milwaukee, why he
to that quote, you have to train yourself That’s a great point. And it’s really a came to work for AISC, a funny story about
to have a little egg on your face and learn good lesson for all areas of life. Let’s breaking boards, and, of course, the Green Bay
from it. And sometimes the people teach- talk about a different sort of confidence Packers, check out the December Field Notes
ing you something are your students. And builder. I understand you’ve studied podcast at modernsteel.com/podcasts.
that’s a good thing. I learned in that first martial arts for most of your life.
class and all throughout my teaching career I started studying Okinawan Shōrin-
that some students were smarter than me ryū karate when I was 12 years old. And
in a lot of different ways, and I could learn the reason why is because I got beat up.
from them. You just need to be smart So in trying to figure out what the rem-
enough to know when to get out of their edy was, I started taking martial arts. It
way. You have to help feed them with the was kind of an interesting time because
knowledge you have, and they’re going to this was around 1984, and there weren’t
go off and do great things. I’ve had some a lot of kids involved in martial arts in my
students whose titles are now vice presi- area at that time. Martial arts training has
dent. It’s just fantastic to see that happen. grown a lot since then, but back then, it
was a dark, dingy place where you worked
That’s got to be very rewarding. On out with some tough guys, some of them Geoff Weisenberger
that note, aside from teaching students fighting full contact. But there was a men- (weisenberger@aisc.org) is chief
about engineering, do you have some tality that we’re here for a reason; we’re editor of Modern Steel Construction.
OUR PLANET
CAN’T WAIT.
There’s a structural material available today that:
• is already net-zero
• is made of 93% recycled waste—and is 100% recyclable into new
materials, over and over again, with 70 million tons recycled each year
• is produced with renewable energy
• consumes only 70 gallons of water per ton to produce, because 95% of
the water used is recycled with no external discharges
• is made right here in the U.S.—no dirty transoceanic shipping required
TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT STEEL.

Visit aisc.org/sustainability
to learn how to design and build greener
today and tomorrow.
business issues
Focusing Outward
BY DAN COUGHLIN
Inner focus is essential, but so is focusing on the needs of others.

If you provide value to others, everyone eventually wins.
AS INDIVIDUALS, we don’t live in a And now, think about what other people you can contribute to other people, and the
vacuum or on an island. want in each of those areas. Write down key is to actually contribute it. At times, this
In past articles, I’ve focused on what what comes to mind. may be uncomfortable or difficult. Some-
happens inside of you—your focus, your Value is anything that increases the times people will reject the value that you
ability to say no, your mental development, chances that a person will have what they have to offer, or they will insult you for the
your purpose, and your ego. And there’s want to have. Make a list of what would be value that you tried to contribute. Or they
always more internal work to be done. But of value to other people in helping them to will laugh at you, or they will say negative
let’s take a minute to focus on you focusing have what they want. things to other people about your efforts.
on other people. You might write down a comfortable car That’s okay. Keep contributing. Maybe
To be personally effective means to to get them where they want to go, a smile you need to make an adjustment to what
achieve the desired result. Again, it’s not to brighten their day, a word of encourage- you are delivering or how you are deliv-
about living in a vacuum or on an island. ment, someone who really listens to them, a ering it or to whom you are delivering it.
It’s about moving toward the desired out- piece of knowledge they need to get what Keep refining your efforts as a value cre-
come. Being effective with other people they want, a warm coat, and an opportunity ator and contributor, but please don’t ever
means helping them achieve what they to show what they are capable of doing, etc. stop trying to contribute value.
want to achieve. Then keep writing. Keep adding to your list. It is in creating and contributing value
Here are two of my favorite quotes Pretty soon, you’ll realize that there is an that our lives gain meaning and significance.
on creating value for other people: Jackie infinite number of tangible and intangible And somewhere along the way, you will
Robinson said, “A life is not important things that can be of value to other people. receive value for the value you contribute.
except in the impact it has on other lives.” That value can be in the form of stronger
And Zig Ziglar said, “You can have every- Create Value for Other People relationships, a greater sense of self-worth,
thing in life you want if you will just help Now make a list of what you specifically and/or material gains. Give some of your
enough other people get what they want.” can create, do, or improve that would be of focus to value contribution rather than just
No matter how much we develop our- value to other people. to your personal rewards, and life has a way
selves, it won’t matter unless we take the Possible items might include a hand- of sending value back to you. ■
value we have generated and contribute it written letter of appreciation to someone
to other people. This is true in our personal in your life, an improved skill that can add
lives and in our professional lives. value at work, a follow-up phone call with
a customer, an innovative product that you
Value could design, really listening empatheti-
So what is value? Value is anything that cally to someone in a meeting, or a well-
increases the chances that a person will organized report that can help people to
have what he or she wants to have. understand what has been done and what
Make a list of what people want in every could be done (better) in the future.
aspect of their lives. Start with yourself As with the previous list I suggested, Since 1998, Dan Coughlin has worked
and write down what you want. Seriously, you’ll quickly notice that you could create, with business leaders to consistently
give this a try. Next to each category, write do, or improve an almost infinite number of deliver excellence, providing coaching
down what you want: things that could be of value to other people. and seminars to executives and groups,
• Mentally I encourage you to focus on just a few, as well as guiding strategic decision-
• Physically maybe five to seven, ways that you can be making meetings. And now he is also
• Socially of value to other people. Get really good at focused on helping people on their
• Professionally adding value in those ways, but also be open inner journey to excellence. Visit his free
• Financially to adding value to other people in other Business Performance Idea Center at
• Spiritually ways as you move throughout your day. www.thecoughlincompany.com.
• Familywise Dan has also given presentations in at
• Friend-wise Contribute what Value You Can NASCC: The Steel Conference. To hear
• When it comes to your community Don’t just be a value creator. Be a value recordings, visit aisc.org/education-
contributor. There is so much value that archives and search for “Coughlin.”
A recently completed multi-use complex helps lift
an old steel town to new heights.
Forging a
New Steel
Story
BY BRIAN SHERMAN, PE,
AND SEAN POUSLEY
© Prakash Patel
Photography
32 | JANUARY 2023
opposite page: The completed 14-story, 524,838-sq.-ft SORA West below: Five braced frames were used to laterally brace the
office building (at right in photo). 184-ft-tall structure.
Mal Bland
ONCE A THRIVING STEEL MILL TOWN, Conshohocken, principal and project executive/operations manager for IMEG
Pa., has long been an area in transition. (formerly The Harman Group), the structural engineer of record
Its proximity to Center City Philadelphia—a 15-minute for the core and shell. “This allowed the structural steel fabrica-
drive—and accessibility to mass transit has perpetually made it an tor to begin their work earlier. The base structure is normally on
attractive commercial hub, but up until recently, growth had been the critical path, so accelerating the steel fabricator and detailer
haphazard. “Conshy,” as the locals call it, lacked a town center, and results in an earlier turnover to the developer. In turn, this allows
little thought had been given to walkability or parking. the developer to deliver the core and shell of the building to the
Keystone Development + Investment had a vision to change corporate tenant sooner.”
that and proposed SORA West, a multi-use complex that includes “The use of steel allowed an efficient column grid of 30 ft by
a new 14-story office building, a hotel, a parking garage, and a his- 45 ft that works well to maximize the efficiency of office layouts
toric firehouse adapted into a restaurant, all built around a public for corporate office buildings,” Bland continued. “And the use of
plaza that hosts concerts and other events. structural steel resulted in approximately $20-per-sq.-ft savings in
At the same time, pharmaceutical distributor AmerisourceBer- the structural cost.”
gen wanted to combine two locations into a single headquarters The site presented several challenges that the design team of
and increase its brand identity. The company, with a top ten rank- IMEG, architect Gensler, and general contractor Intech were able
ing on the Fortune 500 list, studied labor conditions, trends, and to solve using the structural steel with slab on metal deck building,
workplace dynamics and chose Conshohocken and SORA West as including working with a difficult slope and maintaining the dura-
its new corporate home. bility of the steel-framed parking levels in the basement.
The company’s 1,500 Pennsylvania-based employees have Five braced frames were needed to laterally brace the
recently moved into the 14-story, 524,838-sq.-ft office building, 184-ft-tall structure—three in the long direction and two in
which was completed in late 2021. The space offers 11 floors of the short direction. The braced frames, mostly made up of
collaborative office space, including the lobby and ground-floor W14 wide-flange chevron braces, were strategically placed
amenities; a two-level, 76,372-sq.ft basement parking facility with within the interior of the floor plates, next to the stairs/eleva-
173 parking spaces; a 16,000-sq.-ft rooftop terrace with a mechani- tors, to maximize open floor space and to offer unobstructed
cal, electrical, and plumbing penthouse; and a high roof. views around the perimeter of the building. To limit the lateral
The chosen framing material for a project that reimagines a drift, moment frames were placed at the far ends of the build-
steel town? Steel, of course—3,500 tons of it. ing. These frames used partially restrained beam-to-column
“Structural steel allowed earlier design of the base structure moment connections to keep service-level wind drift values
so an early bid package could be issued,” said Mal Bland, PE, within a code limit of H/400.

© Prakash Patel Photography
Steel for the project’s framing system totaled 3,500 tons. One
of the design team members commented that using structural
steel allowed earlier design of the base structure so an early
bid package could be issued.
Steel Parking
The team chose to frame the underground parking
structure with structural steel as well. The two parking lev-
els comprise one slab-on-grade level, one slab-on-metal
deck level, and a parking speed ramp to access it from one
level higher due to the steeply sloping terrain.
Vehicles can track in water and deicing salts, which puts
the supported parking levels at risk for deterioration and
corrosion. During the steel detailing stage, the team paid
particular attention to the durability considerations high-
lighted in AISC Design Guide 18: Steel-Framed Open-Deck
Parking Structures (aisc.org/dg) and ACI 362.1: Guide for the
Design and Construction of Durable Concrete Parking Structure
in an effort to limit stagnant water, protect the slab from
water seeping in, and supply a path for water to exit.
The first step was for the steel framing and slab on metal
deck to slope to drains in two directions rather than build-
ing a flat slab with varying thicknesses, which helped reduce
the weight of the slab. The minimum design slope of the
slab is 1.5% or 3∕16 in. per foot diagonally, which allowed for
a minimum of 1% due to construction tolerances and beam
camber and helped avoid any potential water ponding.
The team chose G-90 vented galvanized metal deck-
ing for the slab-on-metal deck. The decking is a stay-in-
place form only, with the slab having top and bottom rein-
forcing steel, and the perforations in the decking allow
aye
r trapped water to be released from above the decking. The
orM
Co
nn slabs were designed as continuous spans with negative
©
34 | JANUARY 2023
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bending reinforcing over the supports, with detailing
that included additional top reinforcing over all the
supports and at slab edges to minimize cracking above
the supports. All reinforcing steel in both the supported
slab on metal deck and slab-on-grade was epoxy coated.
Additionally, slab on metal deck is susceptible to crack-
ing, which gives water an entryway into the slab, so a
urethane traffic membrane coating was applied through-
out the supported parking levels to bridge the cracks and
protect the slab.
The perimeter of the structure has a 3-ft-wide, 2-in.-
tall concrete wash that slopes the top of the concrete
away from the edge of the slab. The wash keeps water
from the edge of the structure, walls, and façade elements
and also prevents water from entering the elevator lobby.
Another challenge with the garage was the perimeter
retaining walls. In a typical underground structure, the slab
and steel framing resist the soil loads and pass the loads
through the diaphragm to the opposite side. Because of the
ramping on this structure, each bay of the parking level is
split and does not present a direct load path from one side
to the other. In addition, the building sits on a sloping site
with a two-story retaining wall on one side and a three-story
retaining wall on the opposite side. Lastly, a parking access
ramp spans almost two-thirds the length of the building
next to the three-story retaining wall that drops down two
stories. This required several split diaphragms with unique
details in order to transfer lateral loads from soil loads to
the braced frames and surrounding walls.
right: Topping out.

below: The building sits on a sloping site with a two-story
retaining wall on one side and a three-story retaining wall
Mal Bland
on the opposite side.
Mal Bland

Mal Bland
above: An in-plane galvanized

steel truss was used to
distribute the nearly 2,400 kips
of soil load from the retaining
wall at the north through the
24-ft-wide ramp slab and into
the floor diaphragms at Level
1 and the lower parking level.
left: To accommodate a 2-ft
setback in the curtainwall at
the south face of the building,
the design team introduced
a sloping column between
Levels 3 and 4.
right: A connection detail for
the façade. IMEG Corp.
IMEG Corp.
To access the underground parking levels, a structural speed plate girders weighed nearly 8.5 tons and was made of 3.5-in.-thick
ramp on the north side of the building slopes down from the Gr 50 steel flange plates.
entrance at Level 2, through the Level 1 slab, to the first level The south face of the building has a setback in the curtain-
of underground parking. The ramp bisects the Level 1 floor dia- wall façade, a prominent architectural feature that affected the
phragm below grade, leaving nothing to resist the soil pressures structural steel framing. To accommodate this 2-ft setback, a
retained by the three-story basement retaining wall. Ultimately, sloping column was introduced between Levels 3 and 4. The
the speed ramp itself was used to resist these soil forces. An gravity load in this column of more than 1,200 kips translated
in-plane galvanized steel truss was used to distribute the nearly into nearly 200 kips of horizontal thrust at each level. To resolve
2,400 kips of soil load from the retaining wall at the north these forces, a series of diagonal WT braces were installed
through the 24-ft-wide ramp slab and into the floor diaphragms between the primary floor beams, from the work points at the
at Level 1 and the lower parking level, where the load is even- top and bottom of the sloping column to the nearest braced
tually counteracted by the passive soil pressure formed at the frames. These forces were combined with the overall lateral
south side of the building. forces in the building and incorporated into the final design of
the braced frame elements.
Plate Girders and Sloping Columns The façade is a single-story glass curtain wall system attached
There were varying layouts at the upper office levels and lower to the top of the slab at the perimeter. Block-outs were provided in
parking levels, so several columns had to be transferred out at the the slab on metal deck at the curtain wall mullions and infilled with
ground level. A series of 58-in.-deep to 68-in.-deep built-up steel grout after façade installation. It is easiest to connect the façade to
plate girders were used to transfer out four columns with a range of the top of the slab, but this can cause a detailing problem with the
factored loads from 1,800 kips to 2,250 kips. The heaviest of these finishes, so IMEG included a pocket within the concrete slab edge
36 | JANUARY 2023
IMEG Corp.
above: A drawing of the 20-ft-tall, nearly below: In addition to the 14-story office building (tallest building at center of photo),
110-ft-wide rooftop screen wall, which hides the SORA West complex includes a hotel, a parking garage, and a historic firehouse
mechanical equipment from view. adapted into a restaurant, all built around a public plaza.
© Connor Mayer
to hide the connection, which was grouted over after installation to be flush to the
surrounding slab.
At the top of the building, the rooftop mechanical units reside behind a 20-ft-tall
screen wall nearly 110 ft wide, braced on either side by two penthouses with individual
braced frames. Since the wall did not align with the columns below, kickers could not
be used. The team solved this issue with a horizontal ring truss at the top of the wall,
and the lateral load from this truss transferred directly into the braced frames or into
the slab on metal deck diagram of the penthouses.
From top to bottom, the development pays homage to steel history with modern
steel framing, thus continuing the town’s steel story into the future. ■
Developer Structural Engineer/Parking

Keystone Development + Investment Planning and Design
Owner The Harman Group, now IMEG
SORA West Ou Owner, LLC Steel Team
General Contractor Fabricator and Detailer
Intech Cives Steel Company
Erector Brian Sherman and Sean Pousley are
Architect
XLE Metals/Independence Steel both project engineers – structural
Gensler
with IMEG.
Vital BY NICK
STAROSKI
SE, PE
Link
The rebuilt Merchants Bridge over the Mississippi River in

St. Louis is a vital link in creating the international supply chain of the future.
THE ORIGINAL MERCHANTS BRIDGE had a good, was optimistic. Operating as a single-track bridge often meant
long run. congestion on both sides of the river and much lower train speeds.
With current-day rolling stock and locomotive loads, the The 12-ft spacing of the lines also restricted the number, type, and
second-oldest bridge over the Mississippi River in the St. Louis weight of trains permitted to cross.
region had exceeded its design life. The main span truss members The bridge was down to an average of 38 train crossings
were built in 1890, and the girders and floor beams ranged in age per day, and the operational limitations resulted in increased
from 114 to 127 years old. As a result, one of the nation’s primary costs for the owner, Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis
east-west rail corridors was operating under a variety of speed, (TRRA), as well as for the six Class I freight railroads that relied
clearance, and load restrictions. on the crossing.
Crossings were limited to one train at a time. Meets and passes All of these factors pointed to the bridge needing to be replaced,
were prohibited for six-axle locomotives and for any railcar or and a reconstruction effort commenced in 2018. The three main
piece of equipment weighing in excess of 286 kips. Crossings aspects included the removal and replacement of the three 520-
by loaded short-wheel-base ore cars were also prohibited. Train ft through trusses over the river, seismically retrofitting the four
speeds were limited to 20 miles per hour, but the speed limit itself existing river piers, and significantly improving the east approach.
38 | JANUARY 2023
The Merchant Bridge’s original main span truss members were built in 1890, and the girders
and floor beams ranged in age from 114 to 127 years old. As a result, one of the nation’s
primary east-west rail corridors was operating under a variety of speed, clearance, and
load restrictions. Crossings were limited to one train at a time, and meets and passes were
prohibited for six-axle locomotives and for any railcar or piece of equipment weighing in
excess of 286 kips.
All photos: © Trey Cambern Photography/

Courtesy of TranSystems
The project also called for: The new crossing, which opened this past September, doubles
• Replacing the existing open timber deck on the approach the capacity of the original bridge and is expected to serve at least
deck plate girder spans with a new ballasted steel deck to 70 crossings a day as well as meet the projected future freight and
accommodate a double-track configuration on 15-ft track passenger rail demand.
centers
• Replacing the east approach steel girder trestle spans with a Replacing the Truss Spans
combination of cast-in-place concrete culverts and light- The old truss spans weighed 1,900 tons apiece, and the new
weight cellular fill ballasted truss spans consisting of built-up H-type members each
• Removing the electric utility towers attached to the bridge weigh 4,500 tons (unballasted) and contain 145,000 bolts. (The
• Building walkways on either side of the bridge deck at track fabricated steel for the three spans totaled nearly 13,500 tons.)
level and access to the main pier tops The change-out required the use of a robust gantry system with
• Installing an under-span traveler to facilitate inspections strand jacks to lift the spans and a slide system for translation. This
• Installing systems for communications, signaling, naviga- gantry/strand jack option allowed the new trusses to be erected
tional lighting, and surveillance and floated in low on a fixed platform. Once the trusses were in

The truss change-out required the use of a robust gantry system
with strand jacks to lift the spans and a slide system for translation.
This gantry/strand jack option allowed the new trusses to be erected
and floated in low on a fixed platform. Once the new trusses were
in position, the strand jacks could lower down, grab the ends of the
truss, raise, and then slide the span over into final alignment. One
major advantage of this approach was that the final set-down and
positioning of the new truss could occur while on strand jacks and not
on barges fighting the river currents.
40 | JANUARY 2023
position, the strand jacks could lower down,
grab the ends of the truss, raise, and then
slide the span over into its final alignment.
One major advantage of this approach was
that the final set-down and positioning of
the new truss could occur while on strand
jacks and not on barges fighting the river
currents.
Key aspects of the span change-out The old truss spans weighed
included strengthening the existing truss 1,900 tons apiece, and the new ballasted truss spans
chords for removal, strengthening the consisting of built-up H-type members each weigh
4,500 tons (unballasted) and contain 145,000 bolts.
existing piers for the gantry system, plac-
ing the gantry system for lifting and slid-
ing the spans, and maintaining barge sta-
bility and maneuverability in and around
obstacles in the river while positioning the
truss under the gantry system. Replacing
each of the trusses had to happen within its
designated 10-day track outage and within
two tightly focused, highly coordinated
24-hour navigation channel outages—the
first one so workers could remove the old
truss and the second to install the new one.
To provide redundancy and protect against
catastrophic failure, the bottom chord
members of the trusses were designed as
bolted-up steel members consisting of
angles and plates. This solution provided
internal redundancy that a welded built-up
steel member would not.
Seismically Retrofitting
Existing Piers
In addition to replacing the three river-
span trusses, the project also focused on
strengthening the four existing river piers to
address increased loading and to meet stan-
dards guarding the structure against Level-2
seismic events (as defined by the American
Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-
Way Association) and vessel collisions (as
defined by the American Association of State
Highway and Transportation Officials). To
meet these standards, the piers were encased
in a 3-ft minimum layer of new concrete
supported on a new footing with micropiles.
Dowel bars were drilled into the masonry to
aid in the transfer of shear forces from the
new concrete to the existing stone.
During this phase of the work, the team
employed special methods for constructing
cofferdams, the underwater structures needed
to provide a dry work area in which construc-
tion of the concrete pier encasements could
occur. Each cofferdam measured 45 ft by 90
ft and 80 ft tall and was comprised of a wall
of large sheet piles, driven deep underwater,
surrounding each of the piers. Dewatering
pumps kept the cofferdams free from river
water during construction.

above: Much of the east approach is located within the below: Replacing each of the trusses had to happen within its designated
floodwall limits on the Illinois side of the river. The steel girder 10-day track outage, and within two tightly focused, highly coordinated
trestles spanning 745 ft were originally constructed in 1902, 24-hour navigation channel outages—the first one so workers could
with their condition warranting annual inspection. remove the old truss and the second to install the new one.
42 | JANUARY 2023
The steel for the three spans totaled nearly 13,500 tons.
Improving the East Approach solution eliminates many of the maintenance issues seen in aging
Much of the east approach is located within the floodwall limits on elevated steel structures.
the Illinois side of the river. The steel girder trestles spanning 745 ft The existing deck plate girder spans directly adjacent to the
were originally constructed in 1902 (their condition warranting annual main river spans on each approach were lowered and widened to
inspection), and the approach would need to be renovated and rein- provide 15-ft track centers (an improvement over the previous
forced in order to keep pace with the reconstructed Merchants Bridge. 12-ft track centers) and also for using ballasted steel decks.
The east approach steel girder trestle spans were encased by A major part of this project was shifting from an open-deck
constructing culverts in between the steel towers to allow river structure, where the track rails rested directly on ties and the ties
water to move from one side to the other during high water events. rested directly on the beam, to a ballasted deck structure in which
Both the culverts and steel trestles were encased with lightweight the ties rest on 8 in. to 12 in. of ballast (rock aggregate) placed in
cellular concrete using MSE walls to contain the new fill. This new plate deck pans that rest on the beams.

Key aspects of the span change-out included strengthening the
existing truss chords for removal, strengthening the existing piers for
the gantry system, placing the gantry system for lifting and sliding
the spans, and maintaining barge stability and maneuverability in
and around obstacles in the river while positioning the truss under
the gantry system.
44 | JANUARY 2023
A Local Project with International Reach Structural Engineers
The updated bridge can now handle two modern freight trains TranSystems/Burns and McDonnell
at once and, with that new capacity, reestablish itself as a vital link Steel Team
in a supply chain reaching both sides of the Mississippi River, Fabricator
across the United States, and internationally. Veritas Steel, LLC , Eau Claire, Wis.
Considering the growth in freight traffic in the United States Detailer
in the last 50 years—and the projected growth for the next 50 Tensor Engineering Co. , Indian Harbour Beach, Fla.
years—reconstructing the bridge was an absolute priority for
the St. Louis region and the nation’s infrastructure. The bridge
serves six Class I railroads, as well as Amtrak, and helps move
freight daily to and from three West Coast ports (Long Beach,
Los Angeles, and Oakland) and two East Coast ports (Newark/
New York and Norfolk, Va.). The bridge’s increased capacity
will also provide more dependable and higher-velocity rail car Nick Staroski is a
movement to Canada, Mexico, and the Gulf of Mexico. ■ project manager with
TranSystems.
Owner
Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis (TRRA)
General Contractor
Walsh Construction

Going Big with
Castellated Beams
BY JULIE LOW
AT A TIME when steel joists were experiencing longer-than- have been dead in the water—so the head-scratching began. The
usual lead times, castellated beams provided an excellent alterna- project’s steel fabricator and erector, Cobb Industrial, had success-
tive for a new facility in Georgia, the country’s largest known cas- fully completed large projects for years, but none had presented
tellated beam project ever built. challenges of this magnitude. As such, the team looked to castel-
The building, a 1.1-million-sq.-ft cross-deck Ace Hardware lated beams as a solution.
distribution center in Jefferson, Ga. (roughly 40 miles northeast of Ultimately, the project came down to a cost versus time
Atlanta), was designed when steel joists were experiencing longer- scenario. “We work a lot with Cobb Industrial as a company
than-usual lead times. Facilities of this type typically employ joists nationally,” explained John Lichtenwalter, division manager for
for roof framing, but as other major retailers had soaked up standard Catamount, Inc., the project’s general contractor. “Gabe Hrib [a
premanufactured joist and deck supplies in their numerous ongo- principal with Cobb] and I discussed ways to beat this. He had
ing facility projects, costs had risen dramatically, and those material been using this castellated beam approach on smaller projects,
types had become scarce. This scenario, coupled with a condensed so we worked with him to put together a value engineering solu-
schedule, created a significant challenge at the project’s outset. tion. It raised the price slightly from what we would traditionally
On top of that, COVID shutdowns were common at the time. expect joist to come in at, but it successfully cut back the sched-
Personnel were routinely out sick, truck drivers were scarce, and ule. We proposed that idea to [owner/developer] Trammell Crow,
even sourcing paint was arduous. Still, the client had a deadline, and they accepted it.” Thus, the country’s largest castellated beam
and should the deadline have been a roadblock, the project would project was born.
46 | JANUARY 2023
Thanks to schedule and supply chain challenges,
a new distribution facility in Georgia becomes the country’s
largest known castellated beam project.
All images courtesy of Cobb Industrial
The Planning entire roof system and support structures from typical joist and deck.
“We were excited to be part of this historic project,” said Haines Gipson provided the proof of concept and made plan modi-
Cobb’s president, Mike Hrib. “As far as we know, this is the larg- fications to the building’s structure, including columns and footings,
est castellated beam project ever completed in North America— to accept the castellated beams, which ended up being shallower
or possibly anywhere.” Gabe Hrib credited problem-solving in than the originally designed joists. The new design also used fewer
coordination with the team of engineers for making the impos- castellated beams than the original number of joists, allowing spac-
sible possible. Additionally, top-notch structural engineering ing between the beams to be increased—and the deck gauge thick-
trimmed approximately a year of design time from the project. ness was also increased to accommodate the new spacing.
Cobb performed extensive research to figure out how to “wrestle “We talked to a few people in the industry, and all of them had
this dragon,” as Mike Hrib put it. Typically, castellated beams are done it the old way—and not to this scale,” commented Mike Hrib.
modeled for small quantities, but this massive project presented “Therefore, we had to engage other technology companies with
nuances that were tied to the need to expedite the schedule. Even the goal of ensuring the entire structure was modeled in 3D to
before the contract agreement, Trammell Crow provided some verify that beams would fit like a glove.” Success hinged on the
limited notices to proceed and released Cobb and Catamount Con- coordination between engineers, architects, machine manufactur-
structors for design and fabrication and coordinated closely with the ers, and others involved. Building efficiencies into the process was
design team of record, Haines Gipson and Associates, to change the also paramount. Working with its engineering staff, Cobb set the

A 3D model of the castellated beam roof framing.
goal of using an existing standard for all the seat depths so they the castellated beams.
would conform to industry standards and ultimately create a famil- The solution involved an exhaustive study to maximize the
iar detailing scenario. free area in a coordinated manner so that all the holes would
“We try to execute projects with as much automation as possi- align and water could pass through. While this presented some
ble,” said Mike Hrib. “We try to avoid the human input in machines difficulty because the beams changed based on their location
because there’s always the chance for error, which gets expensive.” in the building and individual loading characteristics, lining up
In the drawing process for the project, there was no clear way the holes ended up minimizing the number of fittings needed,
to create a template that would autofill a castellated beam. The which reduced cost. As Cobb produced fabrication drawings,
ultimate linchpin was figuring out how to model the project in 3D many coordination meetings took place with the fire-protection
with the ability to put two DSTV files in a single piece, as well as subcontractor. Fortunately, 3D modeling allowed quick coordi-
how the machine would run the project. It took trial and error and nation that made changes and decisions much faster than a tradi-
close teamwork with the steel detailer and the equipment manu- tional 2D engineering drafting approach.
facturer, Lincoln Electric.
Lincoln’s PythonX SPG eight-axis plasma cutter and tech sup- The Production
port were critical to the solution, and Cobb worked with Lincoln The job’s scale required increasing staffing and executing pro-
to develop a widget for the machine that allowed canceling cuts duction to roll differently than previous projects. Welding processes,
within 0.25 millimeters from a previous cut. This was important as along with minimized handling, turning, and flipping, were carefully
it allowed cutting in a single run. gauged, and it became a lesson in material handling and trying to do
Another project nuance involved fire protection. High-bay as many processes as possible without manipulating more than was
warehouse architecture typically assumes a dispersion through necessary. To gain efficiencies, Cobb initially rearranged its shop
the joists since the joists are open, allowing fire-protection lines to reverse the flow of material from one direction to the other and
to basically be located anywhere. However, with castellated beams, moved a 300-ton hydraulic press brake and large shear, and also took
the high deluge heads would need to be installed between the down and rearranged overhead cranes to improve workflow. Cobb
beams. Anticipated water blowout would, of course, be unob- also set up an extra paint line and fabricated and installed 400 ft of
structed front and back, but to the sides, water had to get through roller conveyor. These lines were portable and remote-controlled
48 | JANUARY 2023
The 1.1-million-sq.-ft distribution center is the nation’s largest known castellated beam project.
such that operators could relocate them with-

out having to move and walk the steel pieces
through production.
Castellated beams are typically fabri-
cated by cutting on a plasma table in a 2D
format, reassembled, and then put into a
drill line, then a coping line, and then
sent on to final fabrication. This job was
just shy of 3,000 I-beams, all longer than
60 ft, which would require three to four
times more handling time on every single
piece. But by implementing the PythonX
and building nine 65-ft-long hydraulic
clamping jigs (eliminating the need for
typical clamps), Cobb was able to speed
up production.
After all the planning, moving, and shuf-
fling was complete, it was time to run. Cobb
walked some initial pieces through the pro-
cess only to find some warpage, so they
designed and built fixtures to straighten the
warpage. Cobb also changed the procedure
to fit beams with a predetermined amount
of curve that was dependent on the profile
to be welded. In the end, instead of warp-
ing, the beams settled straight.
Cobb detailed the steel for the roof in-
house and worked with a partner detailer
to detail the columns, beams, and other
main structural elements. Special attention
was paid to this stage to ensure coordina-
tion, and both detailing teams worked on
the same models and shared information
back and forth to make everything come
together properly. Cobb produced the
castellated beams well before they were
needed in the building process. In fact,
production was moving so fast that the
steel couldn’t be stored at the shop, so the
beams were transported to the field months
before they went in the air.
The Build
Cobb’s philosophy is that precision shop
work helps a job go together quickly.
“I’ve had superintendents call me and
ask, ‘Why is it that when your guys are here
putting the building together, I don’t hear
any noise?’” he recalled. “’You don’t hear
grinding or hammers.’ To which I reply,
‘Because the beams just go together.’ It has
to do with our quality process. We design
projects so that there is no adjustment.”
The planning and modeling ultimately
proved to be the most significant contri-
bution to the project’s success. By using
3D modeling, the accuracy of the roof was
superb. The job involved 100% bolted con-
nections, and the team’s diligence resulted in

Cobb produced the castellated beams well before they were needed in the building process. In fact, production was moving so fast that the
steel couldn’t be stored at the shop, so the beams were transported to the field months before they went in the air.
50 | JANUARY 2023
The project used 4,000 tons of structural
steel in all.
no misconnections. Additionally, the model-

ing process allowed the team to accomplish
all the steps that would typically have been
achieved via multiple handling processes,
like reassembly, drilling, and coping, to be
done in one handling instead of two.
The Future
Everyone involved in this endeavor
started with a clean slate. This unusual
project, a 4,000-ton steel frame implement-
ing castellated beams on an immense scale,
beat the odds and rose to become an enor-
mous yet efficient accomplishment—and it
demonstrated a viable steel design alterna-
tive that came with unexpected advantages.
Since the project’s completion, the price
of typical joist has dropped, as have delivery
time frames. However, now that the team
has the data and experience with the castel-
lated beam option, if delivery timeframes
squeeze and supply chains spike again,
they’ll be ready to move—quickly. ■
Owner/Developer
Trammell Crow Atlanta
Development, Inc.
Structural Engineer
Haines Gipson and Associates
Architect
Pieper O’Brien Herr Architects
General Contractor
Catamount Constructors, Inc.
Roof System Engineer
Forsite Group
Steel Fabricator, Erector, and Detailer
Cobb Industrial, Inc. ,
Holly Springs, Ga. C
Connecting
g amazing
g structures Nationwide!
d
Call or email us your inquiry!

St. Louis Screw & Bolt
sales@stlouisscrewbolt.com
Julie Low (jlow@fancytheagency.com)
800-237-7059
is a principal with Fancy –
The Collection. PROUDLY MADE IN THE USA

All Hands
on (Steel) Deck BY GEOFF WEISENBERGER
Hands-on events at ironworker training facilities across the country were the
name of the game for AISC’s 2022 SteelDay.
WANT TO CATCH a firsthand glimpse of what it’s like to be an In the Washington, D.C., area, 20 Howard University civil engi-
ironworker? neering students visited the Ironworkers Local 5 training facility,
Consider visiting an Iron Worker training facility. That’s what partaking in tasks like welding, cutting plate with an oxygen-acet-
hundreds of people did at a dozen such facilities from coast to ylene torch, rigging and connecting beams, tightening and untight-
coast the week of October 17, 2022, culminating in the 14th annual ening bolts with a spud wrench, and climbing a steel column.
SteelDay celebration. Sponsored by AISC and its partners, includ- “Watching the excitement of the Howard students as they tried some
ing IMPACT (Ironworker Management Progressive Action Coop- of the hands-on tasks that ironworkers perform on job sites every day
erative Trust), SteelDay’s goal is to educate engineers, architects, was so much fun!” said Harvey Swift, regional director with IMPACT.
students, and others about the domestic fabricated steel industry “Everyone of the students seemed engaged and so eager to learn.”
through steel facility tours, project site visits, online seminars, and “It was amazing and more than I could have hoped for,” said stu-
hands-on events. dent Mawuko Jacquaye. “I especially enjoyed the column climb. It
was fun to race my classmates to the top. I would go again if allowed
the opportunity.”
“It was so much fun!” added fellow student Aliyah Hamilton. “I'd
do this again in a heartbeat!”
Another event, at the Iron Workers Local Union 387 Atlanta
facility, attracted more than 30 attendees, including several stu-
dents from Kennesaw State University. The facility expressed
enthusiasm about hosting additional similar events in the future,
within or outside the context of SteelDay, and also reported that it
has experienced a general increase in applicants in recent months.
“The event was both informative and eye-opening,” noted one
attendee, Kelsey Hammond a design engineer with PES Structural
Engineers. “We listened to a fascinating presentation about the
apprenticeship program and then were given the chance to try a
few of the skills they teach, such as flame-cutting steel, tying rebar,
and even welding using VR. Not only did I have fun, but I gained
an even greater respect for the people we see in the field every day
working in these disciplines!”
Roughly the same number of guests attended another Iron Worker
event, this one at the Local Union No. 808 training center in Orlando,
Fla. The majority of the attendees were from Orange County Public
Schools. And up the East Coast, in Queens, N.Y., roughly 40 guests
attended an event at yet another Iron Worker training facility. Being
in New York, some guests were no doubt eager to test their skills
and bravery walking on a steel beam high above the city. The event
offered the next-best thing (and without the need to go through rigor-
ous training) in the form of a virtual beam walk aided by VR goggles.
Other events took place in Boston, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Las Vegas,
Atlanta Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Portland, and Kansas City.
52 | JANUARY 2023
Orlando, Fla. Queens, N.Y.
SteelDay for Students

More than a dozen student groups and their faculty
advisors attended events across the country in conjunc-
tion with SteelDay throughout the fall 2022 term. AISC
offered grants to faculty to arrange field trips for their
students to tour steel mills, fabrication shops, and iron
worker training centers.
Christina McCoy, SE, RA, assistant professor of archi-
tectural engineering at Oklahoma State University, took
a group of 50-plus students on a field trip to AISC mem- Oklahoma City
ber W&W/AFCO Steel’s fabrication facility in Oklahoma
City. She commented, “Students loved the event, and
many commented that they did not realize everything Kansas City
that goes into steel fabrication.”
William Collins, PE, PhD, associate professor at the
University of Kansas, took nearly 50 of his students to
the Iron Worker training center in Kansas City, where
they got to experience climbing columns and frames,
practice rigging and lifting with a crane, make bolted
splice connections, and practice virtual and real stick
welding. “This was the best SteelDay event I’ve been
to yet, and that’s saying something because we’ve been
taking students to some great events for the past eight
years!” exclaimed Collins.
A group of 19 students from Georgia Tech, led by
Ryan Sherman PE, PhD, assistant professor, visited a
Gerdau (AISC member) steel mill in Cartersville, Ga.
Sherman said the students, ranging from undergradu- Cartersville, Ga.
ate to PhD candidates, were amazed to see first-hand
how steel was made. “The staff at Gerdau kindly
answered the multitude of questions asked by the stu-
dents,” he noted. “Overall, it was a fantastic experience
for all. Thank you for the generous support by AISC and
Gerdau for this amazing learning opportunity!”
The AISC Education Foundation plans to open a pro-
gram for faculty grants to support more field trips like
these throughout 2023. Contact me (mnookin@aisc.org)
if you have any questions, and stay tuned for more infor-
mation coming soon.
—Maria Mnookin, AISC education program manager
Eau Claire, Wis.
Daytona, Fla. article in the May 2022 issue, available in the Archives section at
www.modernsteel.com.)
In addition to these and other events, SteelDay also featured
a Student SteelDay Contest, in which students were tasked with
determining whether part of a hypothetical steel-framed build-
ing could support new loads for a renovation. Participants dug
through historic AISC references, referred to field notes, and
ran some calculations in order to answer a series of multiple-
choice questions in a timed format.
“We had 65 students participate, representing 27 schools,”
noted Kristi Sattler, senior engineer with AISC’s university rela-
tions department. “It was quite a bit different from anything we
have ever done, and there was a larger turnout than any other
recent SteelDay contest, which is exciting!” The top five scorers
“It was incredibly valuable to learn about the work that goes are as follows:
into fabricating and erecting the steel that we specify on our • 1st Place: Tessa Carty (Cornell University)
drawings,” said Natasha L. Mundis, a structural designer with • 2nd Place: Garrett Thompson (Cornell University)
LeMessurier and an attendee at the Boston event. “As engineers, • 3rd Place: Claire Smith (University of Michigan)
it’s important to understand the importance of drawing clarity • 4th Place: Pauline Wang (University of Michigan)
and coordination so the information can be conveyed correctly • 5th Place: Haimiti Atila (University of Michigan)
and smoothly. This was a fun and informative event!” And remember: You don’t need to be a student or prospective
Of course, other events were on the docket as well. AISC mem- ironworker, and you don’t need to wait for the next SteelDay (visit
ber Veritas Steel Fabrication hosted 35 attendees in its Eau Claire, aisc.org/steelday, where we’ll post updates on SteelDay 2023 in
Wis., facility for a presentation and a tour featuring mammoth the coming months) to learn more about the domestic structural
built-up steel plate girders. Similar AISC member fabrication shop steel supply chain. Contact a local member (peruse our member-
events took place at High Steel in Lancaster, Pa., and Alpha Iron in ship directory at aisc.org/aisc-membership/member-directory),
Ridgefield, Wash. Also providing tours were AISC members New contact IMPACT (www.impact-net.org) if you’re interested in
Millennium Building Systems (joist manufacturer in Butler, Ind.), visiting an Iron Worker training facility, or even reach out to me if
Nucor (at its Tuscaloosa, Ala., mill), and V&S Galvanizing (galva- you want to visit a facility but need some more guidance. And we’ll
nizer in Owego, N.Y.) see you on the next SteelDay, if not before! ■
And in Daytona, AISC structural steel specialist Larry Flynn
presented an AISC 2022 IDEAS2 Award to ikon.5 architects and
the project team of Daytona State College’s L. Gale Lemerand
Student Center, the new gateway to the college for its students
Geoff Weisenberger
and the city of Daytona Beach. A monumental portal and a far-
(weisenberger@aisc.org)
reaching cantilevered eastern wing are hallmarks of the center,
is chief editor of Modern
which incorporates 750 tons of structural steel fabricated by
Steel Construction.
AISC member GMF Steel Group. Another live 2022 IDEAS2
team event took place at Meow Wolf in Denver. (To read about
these projects and the rest of the 2022 winners, see the related
54 | JANUARY 2023
conference preview
Connection
Design:
Do the Dos,
Avoid the Don’ts
BY MARA BRASELTON, PE
There are plenty of connection design pitfalls out there.

Recognizing them will help you avoid them.
WHEN IT COMES to designing steel structures, it is all about Equation J2-5 (1 + 0.5sin1.5 θ) cannot be used. One such example is
the connections. when a stiffener is used to transfer axial load through the column
Simple or complex, hand-drawn or modeled, the joints between web using welds on three sides to transfer the force (see Figure 1).
members are critical to a structure’s integrity. It’s the connection Do you know what equations to use for this example?
designer’s responsibility to know how to apply equations accu- Fillers in bolted connection. When does a shim or filler cause
rately in each situation. a reduction in bolt shear capacity given in AISC Code Tables 7-1
After 18 years in the industry and more than a decade manag- and 7-3? I’ll discuss such effects on bearing bolted connections
ing projects of all types and complexity, I’ve learned a good deal with shims over ¼ in. and slip-critical A and B connections with
about the dos and don’ts of connection design. From reviewing multiple shims, as well as the tightening method used on the bolts
connection calculations performed by engineers new to connec- and how it affects the bolt shear capacity.
tion design and remembering back to my own experiences when Long end-loaded bearing bolt connections and welds. The
starting out in the field, I’ve come up with a list of errors and how footnote (b) in AISC Code Table J3.2 notes to reduce the bolt bear-
to avoid them, which may be of interest not only to design rookies ing capacity by 83.3% at end-loaded connections that are longer
but also to those who haven’t designed a connection in some time. than 38 in. Does this apply to bearing and slip critical connections?
I’ll be discussing these, as well as a wide range of technical topics I’ll also touch on a similar reduction at long fillet welded connec-
with examples, in a session at the upcoming NASCC: The Steel tions per AISC Code Section J2b(d).
Conference. These topics include: Net or gross section check at moment connections. Are
Longitudinal and transverse welds used in combination. you required to check the gross section capacity of the flanges at
There are situations when the transverse weld increase factor per wide flange members with CJP welded moment connections? The
AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings (ANSI/AISC360-16) answer is no (you won’t be able to get it to work for members close

conference preview
Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
to fully stressed anyway), and I’ll explain why. What about net section checks at moment con-
nections with bolted flange plates? How do you check the net section of the flange? Do you
know where to find the answers to these questions in the AISC Code?
Prying. I will briefly touch on prying calculations and how to carry the tributary length
“p” through your calculations for checking the welds and the base material—not just prying
on the plate! Also, did you know if you have prying, you most likely need to check it twice?
Spoiler alert: It’s once on the connecting member and on the support.
Closely spaced stiffeners. AISC Code Section J10 has equations for flanges and webs with con-
centrated loads. It is the connection designer’s responsibility to know how to accurately apply
these equations to their situation. I’ll discuss how to handle two closely spaced concentrated Mara M. Braselton (mbraselton
loads at the center of a beam or girder, as illustrated in Figure 2. @thorntontomasetti.com) is a
In addition to helping connection designers at all career levels maneuver through those vice president with the Kansas City
typical trouble spots, the session will also serve as a reminder about the provisions in Chapter office of Thornton Tomasetti, Inc.
J of the Code. ■
This article serves as a preview of the 2023 NASCC: The Steel Conference session “Common Mistakes
Made by New Connection Designers.” To learn more about this session and others, as well as to register
for the conference, visit aisc.org/nascc. The conference takes place April 12–14 in Charlotte, N.C.
56 | JANUARY 2023
conference preview
Double-
Wide BY FRANK ARTMONT, PE, PHD
M&M
M& and TDOT
performed
p
element
e
O
finite
analysis
y of
an
a existing pier.
p
A bridge team looks to a concrete-filled steel tube solution

to expand the width and extend the life of a river crossing in Tennessee.
ONE OF THIS YEAR’S World Steel Bridge Symposium pre- spanned between these beams and rested on the top of the piers.
sentations at NASCC: The Steel Conference will provide an in- Once the cap beams and saddle beams were erected, the region
depth look at a bridge retrofit project in Chattanooga, Tenn. between the cap beams on top of the piers was filled with con-
The P.R. Olgiati Bridge is a 15-span steel multi-girder bridge crete, encasing the new saddle beams. The cap beams were made
that carries U.S. 27 over the Tennessee River. The bridge was long enough to support an additional girder line for a second
built in 1953 and originally consisted of two side-by-side two- future widening.
girder structures with an open longitudinal joint between them. In 2016, a second widening was eventually planned for the
The five spans over the river originally consisted of a three-span bridge due to concerns that the saddle beams supporting the cap
continuous structure in the center with simply supported spans beams had become overstressed. During the design of the first
on either end. widening, refined analysis was not commonly used, and reason-
In 1998, the existing bridge was widened by adding two gird- able assumptions were made regarding the distribution of load
ers on each side. The new girders ran continuously over the five within the saddle beams. To determine if a second retrofit would
spans, and pairs of steel cap beams were added to the faces of the be prudent, Modjeski and Masters (M&M) assisted the Tennes-
four existing concrete river piers, which extended transversely see Department of Transportation (TDOT) with a refined finite
beyond the edges of the piers and supported the new girders. element analysis of the bridge under multiple loading conditions
Each pair of cap beams was supported by six saddle beams that to assess the demands on the beams.

conference preview
Installing CFST struts supporting the cap beams.
The evaluation revealed that the saddle beams might be overstressed under certain live
loading scenarios. Three different retrofit options were considered, and adding diagonal
struts from the ends of the cap beams to the pier edges was chosen as the most feasible
option. After considering multiple steel alternatives for the struts, the team chose concrete-
filled steel tubes (CFSTs) as the most viable option for the required demands as well as
aesthetics. The CFSTs were designed such that they could be preloaded using hydraulic
jacks, thereby redistributing dead load from the existing saddle beams and improving their
performance, and the struts were installed and preloaded in 2017 and 2018.
Want to learn more about the project? Come to WSBS and NASCC! The presentation
will cover the evaluation of the existing saddle beams and retrofit alternatives, the design of Frank Artmont
the CFST diagonal struts, and the installation/jacking process. ■ (faartmont@modjeski.com) is an
engineer – structures in Modjeski
This article serves as a preview of the 2023 NASCC: The Steel Conference session “Evaluation and and Masters’ National Bridge Group.
Retrofit for the Second Widening of the P.R. Olgiati Bridge.” To learn more about this session and
others, as well as to register for the conference, visit aisc.org/nascc. The conference takes place April
12–14 in Charlotte, N.C.
58 | JANUARY 2023
conference preview
Reliable Rigging
BY SCOTT SEPPERS
Understanding the basics of rigging is crucial to safe, efficient lifts

on steel construction sites.
DO YOU KNOW what the total sling capacity of two ½-in. of how much tension/load is being applied to the rigging in a
EIPS/IWRC wire rope slings that are double-wrapped and choked lifting scenario.
at 45° is? One of the reoccurring themes that I have noted over the years
More importantly, does the person rigging for you know? working with construction professionals is a lack of identifying
At any moment during the work week in the U.S., there are and accounting for sling tension. Sling tension occurs when there
countless rigging scenarios taking place. With that high frequency is an angle involved with the rigging scenario, this is due to the
of overhead lifting, it is critical that the rigger has accounted for attachment point of the sling not being centered directly in place
all factors—sling angles, sling tensions, and rigging capacities—in over the rigging point of the load. Two of the most frequent rig-
ensuring that the lift they are making is safe. ging mistakes I have witnessed are basketed loads sharing the same
Part of making safe lifts is knowing and understanding the attachment point and sling angle capacity errors. A great tool for
different types of slings and rigging configurations that are avail- correcting these errors is simple and low-tech: a journeyman rig-
able to the rigger—as well as having a thorough understanding gers reference card (see Figure 1).
Fig. 1.

conference preview
Fig. 2 Fig. 3
Let’s dive a bit deeper into one of these issues: the inability of slings attachment not being centered directly over the pick point
the rigger to properly assess the lifting capacity of basketed slings of the load—which, again, is the 60° reference column (13,600 ×
when lifting a load sharing the same attachment point, whether it 1.73 = 23,528 lb).
be vertical or an angle from the center of gravity. Many riggers, Here's how you determine the answer to the question that
when calculating the hoisting capacity of slings in a basket, simply kicked off this article. Using ½-in. EIPS/IWRC wire rope slings
believe that the lifting capacity is doubled because of the assigned with a choked configuration have a rated capacity of 3,800 lb. At
multiplier of 2.00—but this would be incorrect if the slings are 45°, we have a listed sling multiplier of 1.41—and 3,800 × 1.41 =
being attached to the same attachment point. When using slings a 5,358-lb combined rated lifting capacity. As you can see, there is
in a basket hitch configuration that share the same attachment a significant difference in actual lifting capacity and approximate
point, an angle is created in the slings and there are additional capacity that can be mistakenly referenced with a lack of under-
forces being applied to the slings that need to be accounted for. standing of how to use the card.
It is important to note that in order for basketed rigging slings to It is imperative for those that are responsible for rigging
achieve twice the lifting capacity, the carrying legs of the slings overhead loads to have a complete understanding of how sling
to the attachment point must be 90° from horizontal, meaning tension can affect the safe handling of a load. I have said the
straight up and down, as illustrated in Figure 2. following many times in the past: A safe worker is an informed
It is important to understand that when basketing a shared load, worker. Making sure your employees receive proper rigging
there are actually two sling angles to account for. The first is the training is vital in keeping them informed on making overhead
slings eyes being connected to the same attachment point, and the loads as safe as possible. ■
second is the distance away from the center of gravity. The mistake
occurs when the rigger takes the basketed reference capacity at This article serves as a preview of the 2023 NASCC: The Steel Conference
face value and doesn’t properly assess the angles that are in play. session “Common Rigging Mistakes.” To learn more about this session and
In Figure 3, if the rigger were to select two EIPS/IWRC slings others, as well as to register for the conference, visit aisc.org/nascc. The
to lift this load and not properly account for sling angles, they conference takes place April 12–14 in Charlotte, N.C.
might believe that the rigging is capable of lifting 31,200 lb in tan-
dem. When accounted properly by referencing the lifting capac-
ity of slings sharing the same attachment point at 60° and then
accounting for the sling angle of 60° from the center of gravity, the Scott Seppers,
actual lifting capacity is 23,528 lbs—a difference of 7,672 lb! a former rigger and
Let’s walk through the process of determining the lifting capac- ironworker of 20 years,
ity. The first step is to account for the angle that is created by the is with Trivent Safety
sling eyes being attached to the same attachment point. We do Consulting.
this by referencing the rigging capacity of the 60° angle capac-
ity—for EIPS-IWRS, that’s 13,600 lb. Next, we account for the
60 | JANUARY 2023
new products
This month’s New Products section focuses on the fabrication shop and includes
a new CNC angle line, a new cobot rotational range extender, a new plasma cutter
consumable, and a new welding system.
Ocean Clipper II CNC Angle Line Miller XMT 650 ArcReach

Ocean Machinery, together with its manufacturing partner, New XMT® 650 ArcReach® Systems from Miller Electric
Peddinghaus, has created a new CNC angle line that breaks Mfg., LLC, are designed to maximize productivity in struc-
all the rules. The Ocean CLIPPER II was specifically cre- tural steel fabrication and erection welding. Point-of-use con-
ated for fabricators desiring a competitive advantage through trol lets users weld and gouge with a single system and easily
automation by eliminating manual layout and punching make process changes at the feeder without a control cord.
of angle and flat bar. The new machine, which includes a These features improve productivity and deliver cost savings
continuous, error-free roller feed and a Signoscript scribing while providing the robust power needed on the job site and
tool, processes short clip angles as well as long bracing angles in the shop. The system’s two parts are an XMT 650 ArcReach
and flat bars (minimum 1½-in. × 1½-in. × 1∕8-in. angle and power source and an ArcReach 16 wire feeder. Configurations
2-in. × ¼-in. flat bar and maximum 6-in. × 6-in. × 5∕8-in. angle are available for field and shop applications, with polarity-
and 6-in. × 5∕8-in. flat bar. The unit’s precise hole placement reversing (PR) and non-
eliminates costly field modifications, its efficient size is much polarity-reversing
more compact than other angle lines, and it’s simple and power source mod-
easy to operate, with no computer experience required. Visit els—both compatible
www.oceanmachinery.com for more information. with the ArcReach
16 wire feeder. For
both power source
models, the total
point-of-use control at
the feeder delivers mo moree
productivity and saf safety.
y
For more information, visitt
www.millerwelds.com.
Hypertherm HPR
The new single-piece consumable HPR® cartridge and cut-
ting torch are designed for use with current Hypertherm
HPRXD® plasma systems and, aside from the new torch,
require no changes to the system or system settings. Opera-
tors can replace both in seconds without needing tools. The
cartridge replaces the traditional five-piece consumable stack-
up with a perfectly aligned part that lasts longer and delivers
extended high-definition cut Vectis Automation Park’N’Arc
quality. It makes consumable Vectis Automation recently debuted the new Park’N’Arc,
management and assembly much a “diving board” rotational range extender that allows for
easier and eliminates errors the base of a cobot to be manually moved to various loca-
caused by incorrect handling or tions. Compared to a short linear track, the Park’N’Arc is an
installation. The HPR cartridge improved design for increasing range as the cobot base can
and torch are now available be translated nearly 8 ft in a linear direction while maintain-
from authorized partners of ing simplicity, robust cable management, and portability. It’s a
Hypertherm technology brand step-change deployment option that will enable more applica-
products. The cartridge comes tions to be tackled with cobots—especially in heavy industries
in three amperages: 80, 130, and like structural steel—and also allows for multiple fixture tables
260. For more information, visit to be set up around the system for quick changeovers. Visit
www.hypertherm.com. www.vectisautomation.com for more information.

news & events
SPECIFICATION
New AISC Specification Dedicated to Ted Galambos People & Companies
In a ceremony held this past October at in Education. He is also a member of the Walter P Moore announced the
the University of Minnesota, AISC dedi- National Academy of Engineering. addition of Balram Gupta, SE, PhD,
cated the 2022 edition of its Specification The dedication ceremony for Galambos as healthcare market leader – West
for Structural Steel Buildings (ANSI/AISC followed the seminar “Getting Up-to-Date Coast in the firm’s Los Angeles-
360) to longtime volunteer and struc- with the 2022 AISC Specification for Struc- based structural group. Gupta is an
tural behavior research pioneer Theodore tural Steel Buildings,” led by Duncan and industry leader in seismic retrofit
(Ted) V. Galambos. This dedication hon- James O. Malley, chief operating officer and work in the California healthcare
ors Galambos’ service on the AISC Com- senior principal of Degenkolb and chair of market. The firm also announced
mittee on Specifications and several of its the AISC Committee on Specifications. In the following promotions to prin-
Task Committees since 1956. His pivotal addition to Duncan and Malley, Jerome cipal in its various offices: Martin
research and publications on the load and Hajjar and Roberto Leon, both members Augustyniak, principal, senior
resistance factor design (LRFD) method of the AISC Committee on Specifications, specialty structural engineer/struc-
transformed the AISC Specification, which also shared their honors for Galambos. tures, Austin; Margaux Burkholder,
was most recently updated in 2016. “We want to thank Ted for everything principal, project manager/ struc-
“As a professor, Ted is a beloved teacher that he has done for us and for nurtur- tures, Los Angeles; Yavor Cekov,
who instructed many future engineers ing entire generations of students and also principal, design manager/structures,
in steel design with an exemplary blend- researchers in steel design and construc- Houston; Amanda Dean, principal,
ing of theory and practice,” said Cynthia tion,” said Leon, D.H. Burrows Professor of senior project manager/structures,
Duncan, senior director of engineering Construction Engineering at Virginia Tech. Houston; Josh Heath, principal,
at AISC. “Ted’s commitment to sharing As part of the dedication, the University senior engineer/structures, Kansas
his knowledge, his willingness to mentor of Minnesota and event sponsor LeJeune City; Leslie Hemby, principal, qual-
several generations of young researchers, Steel Company, an AISC member fabrica- ity engineer/structures, Houston;
and his strong ethical standards have made tor, raised more than $3,000 for the Theo- Justin Lawson, principal, design
him one of the giants of his generation. dore V. Galambos Scholarship Fund, which manager/structures, Houston; Jim
His contributions to the behavior of steel will support an endowed program for the Maradei, principal, project man-
structures will have a lasting impact on the University of Minnesota Department of ager/structures, Tampa; Murat
structural engineering profession.” Civil Engineering’s Theodore V. Galambos Melek, principal, design manager/
Galambos, professor emeritus of the Structural Engineering Laboratory. structures, Washington, D.C.; David
University of Minnesota’s Department of Galambos thanked AISC and the Moore, principal, senior parking
Civil, Environmental, and Geo-Engineering, attendees for the honor, and he drew atten- consultant /structures, Atlanta; Eric
has been known as the “father of LRFD” tion to his family members in attendance, Pagan, principal, project manager/
ever since his groundbreaking research led three of whom followed his lead in becom- structures, Los Angeles; Justin
to the introduction of LRFD in the 1986 ing civil engineers and one a welder. Stolze, principal, senior project
AISC Specification. Among his numerous “I think it shows that they looked and me manager/structures, New York;
professional honors are the 1981 AISC T.R. and said, ‘Look, this guy is having fun,’” he Usnik Tuladhar, principal, senior
Higgins Lectureship Award and the 1999 said. “I appreciate and really value AISC, and project manager/structures, Austin;
AISC Geerhard Haaijer Award for Excellence I had a good time with so many good people.” Amanda Welch, principal, manager
of business development support/
structures, Orlando; and Henry Yau
Zhung, principal, project manager/
structures, Panama City, Panama.
O’Donnell and Naccarato (O&N),

a structural engineering firm head-
quartered in Philadelphia, has
acquired Miami-based Douglas
Wood Associates (DWA) as part
of its larger strategic vision to
expand its footprint in key markets
nationwide. Simultaneously, O&N
announced the opening of an addi-
tional office in Orlando to support
its rapidly expanding client base in
Cynthia Duncan and James O. Malley present Ted Galambos with a plaque commemorating his central Florida.
dedication in the 2022 edition of the AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings.
62 | JANUARY 2023
news & events
SUSTAINABILITY
AISC Releases Buy Clean Guidance To Help Legislators Maximize
Structural Steel’s Unmatched Sustainability
Hot-rolled structural steel is the greenest
structural material on the market, thanks to
its unsurpassed recycled content and ability
to be recycled into new steel, over and over
again, with no loss of properties.
It’s an obvious choice for the Buy
Clean movement, which advocates for
environmental properties that encour-
age the use of products and materials
with a smaller carbon footprint. But the
industry is complex. That’s why AISC
has released a series of guidelines to help
legislators leverage everything structural
steel has to offer for sustainable design
and construction.
“American hot-rolled structural steel
is precisely the sort of material that Buy
Clean legislation is intended to promote, The new guidelines help legislators navi- “We support Buy Clean policies that
so it’s a natural fit,” said AISC’s director of gate the intricacies of the larger steel indus- weigh all structural materials equally—
government relations and sustainability, try to create policies that take full advantage after all, we’re all working toward decar-
Max Puchtel, SE, PE. “AISC has helped of the structural steel supply chain, accu- bonization,” Puchtel added. “We all win
policymakers craft smart and informed Buy rately reflect structural steel’s embodied when designers make responsible material
Clean policies since 2017, and we’re proud carbon potential, and evaluate all structural choices.”
to continue to serve as the leading expert materials on an apples-to-apples basis to You can learn more and download the
resource for lawmakers.” allow designers to make informed decisions. guidelines at aisc.org/buyclean.
SUSTAINABILITY
Nucor and SDI Among Founding Members of
New Climate-Focused Steel Coalition
Six international steel manufacturers, “Steel is essential for our economies, ultimately penalize electric arc furnace
including AISC members Nucor Corpo- including the world’s essential infrastruc- producers and permit the erroneous label-
ration and Steel Dynamics, Inc. (SDI), ture,” said Mark D. Millett, chair, president, ing of higher-emission steel as “green.”
have formed a new coalition to establish and CEO of founding member SDI. “This “We have the technology to reduce
and promote a global steel standard that new standard will accelerate the actual carbon emissions in steel production by
leads toward a cleaner future. The coali- reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and 70% today,” said Leon Topalian, chair,
tion, named the Global Steel Climate provide key decision-makers with accurate president, and CEO of founding mem-
Council (GSCC), is a nonprofit associa- data to make informed decisions.” ber Nucor. “The global industry needs to
tion dedicated to sharing best practices, A central assertion of the GSCC is that build on the innovation that has already
establishing standards, and advocating for any agreement should focus on the amount led to cleaner steel production in the
carbon emissions reductions by members of emissions generated, not on how steel is United States because the green and digi-
of the steel industry. made. High-emission steelmakers around tal economies around the world are going
The specific purposes of the GSCC the world support a “sliding scale” standard to be built with steel, and the steel they are
include supporting technology-agnostic in which two steel products could be clas- built with matters.”
reduction methods that reduce green- sified as equally “green,” even though one The GSCC includes more than
house gas emissions from the global created multiple times more carbon emis- 20 members and supporters who are
steel industry; creating a system bound- sions than the other. The GSCC argues steel manufacturers, trade associations,
ary that includes Scope 1, 2, and 3 emis- that such a standard would set green- end users, scrap metal suppliers, and
sions; and adopting a science-based house gas emission standards ceilings up non-governmental organizations.
glide path to achieve a 1.5 °C scenario to nine times higher for extractive versus Find out more about the coalition at
by 2050. recycled products, which they argue would globalsteelclimatecouncil.org.

news & events
PUBLIC REVIEW CODE

AISC Standard for Certification Programs Available AISC Releases
for Public Review 2022 Code
Drafts of the next edition of AISC Standard information and the draft standard, along AISC has released the latest revision of one
for Certification Programs (AISC 207) with the review forms. You can also request a of its flagship standards, the Code of Stan-
will be available for public review from hard copy—for a $35 charge—by contacting dard Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges
January 9 through February 23, 2023; this Martin Downs at downs@aisc.org. Submit (ANSI/AISC 303-22).
edition is an update to the 2020 version. any comments via the forms to Jeanne Homer “The 2022 AISC Code of Standard Prac-
Please see aisc.org/publicreview for more at homer@aisc.org by February 23. tice is the result of a tremendous effort by
the committee over the last six years,” said
Babette Freund, chair of the AISC Com-
mittee on the Code of Standard Practice.
“Of special note is the work of a joint task
IN MEMORIAM group that harmonized terminology and
coordinated requirements between the
Hugh Krentz, Former CISC President, 2022 AISC Code and the 2022 AISC Speci-
Dies at 87 fication for Structural Steel Buildings, a major
Hugh A. Krentz, longtime president of the development in this latest edition.”
Canadian Institute of Steel Construction The Code is a vital document for every-
(CISC), passed away on November 7 at the one associated with construction in struc-
age of 87. tural steel—it provides a framework for a
A graduate of the University of shared understanding of acceptable stan-
Manitoba, Krentz worked as a civil dards when contracting for structural
engineer before joining CISC in 1960, steel. The trade practices that it describes
where he served as president from 1978 are considered the industry standard and
until his retirement in 2001. Even after are incorporated into contracts across the
retiring, he remained active in the steel country unless otherwise specified. The
and construction communities, serving as Code has governed contracts for nearly a
chair of the Standards Council of Canada century since its first publication in 1924.
from 2001 to 2011, as executive director of The 2022 AISC Code supersedes the
CISC’s education council from 2001–2007, 2016 version (ANSI/AISC 303-16), and
and as a consultant. He was also a member its preface includes a list of changes and
of the Canadian Welding Bureau’s (CWB) updates. It has been approved by the AISC
board of directors from 1979 through Committee on the Code of Standard Prac-
2010. He was made an Officer of the Order tice and is ANSI-accredited. The new Code
of Canada by the Governor General of will be included in the 16th Edition Steel
Canada in 2012. Construction Manual, which AISC is prepar-
“Hugh’s work was instrumental in Student Award, and the Standards Council ing to publish this year.
CISC’s success,” said Scott Melnick, senior of Canada’s Hugh Krentz Award.
vice president at the American Institute “Hugh A. Krentz was an exemplary V i s i t
of Steel Construction (AISC). “Hugh was leader for the steel industry,” said former aisc.org/
well known for his honesty and candor, CISC regional director Sylvie Boulanger, 2022code
ANSI/AISC 303-22
as well as his dedication to Canada and PEng, PhD. “His strong technical expertise, to view and An American National Standard
commitment to the standards development coupled with his belief in the people he download
Code of
Standard Practice
process. Under his leadership, AISC and was serving, resulted in great strides in the the 2022 for Steel Buildings
CISC worked on many projects together, development of standards, research, and A I S C and Bridges
including the North American Steel education in Canada and internationally. Code and May 9, 2022
Construction Conference (now known He was an extraordinary engineer, mentor, commentary Supersedes the Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges,
Approved by the Committee on the Code of Standard Practice
as NASCC: The Steel Conference).” His and friend to so many of us. Hugh was as a PDF.
memory will live on through the CISC H.A. witty, athletic, and a deeply committed
Krentz Research Award, the CWB Welding family man. He will be missed.”
Foundation’s Hugh A. Krentz Exemplary
64 | JANUARY 2023
marketplace & employment
Connect with AISC on

SOCIAL MEDIA
aisc.org/linkedin @AISC
AISCdotORG @AISC
youtube.com/AISCSteelTV
Structural Engineers LATE MODEL STRUCTURAL STEEL

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structurally sound
Steel as Art
PARTILLATION: VISIONS IN STEEL, a traveling
art exhibition celebrating steel in the built environ-
ment, debuted in October at the Architecture Center
Houston (ArCH).
Sponsored by AISC and the City of Houston
through the Houston Arts Alliance, the exhibition
curates photography and other work of visual art-
ists from across the country to introduce visitors to
steelworkers and their trade through portraiture,
interviews, sound, and video.
The name, PartILLATION, is a created word that
borrows from the idea of it being a mix of art and
installation. Owing to the latter, the centerpiece of
PartILLATION is a tunnel that uses video-projected
images and soundscapes to immerse visitors in a steel
fabrication facility and to learn from the expertise
of architects through a series of interview vignettes
explaining the strong ties between design and steel.
Outside of the tunnel, visitors can acquaint them-
selves with the people behind steel by browsing a
gallery of welders and steel tradespeople portraits and
quotes. Additionally, a wall featuring state-of-the-art
steel projects from recent years showcases the ingenu-
ity of steel architecture in the built environment.
“[This exhibition] accomplishes a number of things
we are continually trying to do at ArCH,” said Rusty
Bienvenue, Architecture Center Houston’s executive
director. “It shows architecture and the built environ-
ment as the confluence of art and science and as a
monumental representation of culture. It also seeks to
recognize the craftspeople who, while so important to
a project, are so often overlooked.”
Alex Morales, Associate AIA, AISC’s senior struc-
tural steel specialist for the Houston market, is the
curator for PartILLATION. In creating the exhibition,
Morales prioritized the themes of evolution, human-
ism, innovation, history, and legacy as it relates to steel
and the people who create with steel.
“I was privileged to travel across the country to cap-
ture the amazing stories of craftspeople and designers
who share a passion for steel architecture,” Morales
said. “This exhibit is not only a reminder of the legacy
and innovation of steel in our built environment but
also a stage that shines a well-deserved light on the
role of our steel craftspeople in the design equation.
Design is about the human experience, and I am proud
to share this exhibit with designers across the country.”
While the Houston visit is now completed, the
exhibition will travel to other cities throughout the
country. Keep an eye out for news of upcoming events
at www.aisc.org. And check out the Project Extras
section at www.modernsteel.com for more images
from the debut event. ■
66 | JANUARY 2023
Covered like a
blanket of snow.
AISC Continuing Education
Did you know that AISC Continuing
Education offers a variety of programs—
daytime live webinars, evening courses,
virtual conferences, and on-demand
content? With all of these options, you’re
sure to find something to fit your needs.
So grab that shovel, scoop up some PDHs,
and check out what we have to offer!
aisc.org/learning
Smarter. Stronger. Steel.

American Institute of Steel Construction
312.670.2400 | www.aisc.org
HOW SMART ARE YOUR SPECS?
I want to $ave green! I want to go green!
No need to choose! Eliminate unnecessary That’s right—you don’t need to paint or

paint and primer on interior steel members prime steel in structures if it will be in contact
to save money and time while reducing with concrete, enclosed in building finishes,
your carbon footprint. or coated with a contact-type fireproofing.
Use both sides of your brain.

Update your specs to save time, money, and the planet.
aisc.org/paint

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January 2023

Steel Fans, Start Your Engines...

CHARLOTTE CONVENTION CENTER | APRIL 12–14, 2023

Registration Earn Nearly

in every issue The rebuilt Merchants Bridge over the

Deloitte Summit Tower, Vancouver

Yasmin Chaudhry (chaudhry@aisc.org)

HSS Corner Radius

The corner radius of a hollow structural

Single-Plate Beam-to-Girder Connection

There is no requirement for a full-height

Modern Steel Construction | 9

PANEL POINT BRIDGE

The Chicago Clamp Company Panel Point Bridge was designed to

No Welding or Drilling Flexibly Hang Loads where Needed

Plan your next project using Chicago Clamp Systems™

This contract requires travel

Advances in Composite Construction

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The 2016 version permitted three options to calculate

FULLY AUTOMATED BUFFER SMART DATA DRIVEN HIGH CONNECTED BY

With a Voortman beam processing line packed with high-quality

composite design. Through ongoing work,

You can find the AISC Specification and Seis-

The authors would like to thank the mem-

AISC’s senior director of education and

Talking through the Code

A “conversation” between an engineer, a fabricator, and an erector provides a look

Modern Steel Construction | 19

Table 1: Structural Design Documents and Specifications

Modern Steel Construction | 21

Revisions in Section 3.2.3: Require-

FABRICATOR: For alternative deliv-

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New Year, New Outlook

For the fabricator looking to

9 Cut fabrication time by more than 50%

SPEED, ACCURACY, &

by Automated Layout 603-402-3055

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Lifelong Learner and Teacher

YOU COULD SAY that Chris Raebel’s

TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT STEEL.

Inner focus is essential, but so is focusing on the needs of others.

Modern Steel Construction | 33

We also roll stair stringers, helical hand rails,

Visit cmrp.com for more information.

right: Topping out.

Modern Steel Construction | 35

above: An in-plane galvanized

Developer Structural Engineer/Parking

The rebuilt Merchants Bridge over the Mississippi River in

All photos: © Trey Cambern Photography/

Modern Steel Construction | 39

Modern Steel Construction | 41

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Modern Steel Construction | 45