The structural engineering profession has changed significantly over the past 40 years, primarily because of the introduction of digital tools. However, while advanced digital products have become the de facto standard for architects and engineers, one thing hasn't changed much: the delivery process or workflow for producing steel fabrciation drawings (aka shop drawings). This session will provide an overview of the latest techniques, tools, and software that structural engineers are beginning to use, thereby chaning the old process into a new, more direct process that eliminates delegated design and maintains the EOR as the single source of responsibility managing the process, leading up to and including the production of fabrication drawings. In addition, we'll discuss how to ensure and maintain input from the contracted steel fabricator to ensure economical, buildable connections.
Source: NASCC Year: 2026
Speaker(s): Jeffrey Smilow, PE, F.ASCE, Joel Chandler, and Allan Paull