Structural steel detailing

Steel Detailing

High-quality shop drawings and erection plans developed around the practical needs of steel fabricators and erectors.

Platforms
Tekla Structures and SDS2
Focus
Fabrication and erection
Deliverables
Shop and erection drawings

Our process

Our Steel Detailing Procedures

A controlled drawing-office workflow built from fabrication and erection experience.

Anatomic Iron's management team brings practical experience in steel detailing, fabrication and erection. The process is built around the needs of the fabricator and erector, with one objective: produce accurate shop drawings and erection plans that eliminate questions before they affect production or site work.

Comprehensive production manuals, internal reviews and structured information flow create consistent output across complex projects.

Detailed structural steel model prepared in Tekla Structures
Fabrication modelGeometry, connections and release zones coordinated in one model.
01

Project intake

Confirm scope, standards, shop preferences and release priorities.

02

Model setup

Establish grids, zones, sequences and coordination responsibilities.

03

Detail development

Develop the fabrication model in Tekla Structures or SDS2.

04

Information control

Track RFIs, design decisions and model comments in one workflow.

05

Independent QA

Check geometry, connections, piece marks and drawing completeness.

06

Controlled release

Issue fabrication packages aligned with shop and erection zones.

Software platforms and coordination Tekla Structures SDS2 Revit coordination

Information management

Steel Detailing Information Management

Clear questions, visual context and visible status reduce response time and protect shop production.

Structural model connection view used to communicate an RFI
Connection clearance — RFI 021
Structural model side view used for design coordination
Geometry review — RFI 034
Transparent structural model used to show interface conditions
Interface coordination — RFI 047
01 / 03

Visual RFI documentation

Questions remain connected to the model and the affected work.

Each request records the condition, responsible party and approved response before the information is incorporated into the detailing model.

  1. 01
    Identify the condition

    Isolate the affected members, connection or interface.

  2. 02
    Provide visual context

    Attach model views and a concise description of the required decision.

  3. 03
    Record the resolution

    Retain the response, ownership and effect on the release sequence.

  4. 04
    Update and verify

    Apply the approved information and complete the relevant quality check.

Drawing office procedure

Workflow by Zone

Each zone advances through defined modeling, checking and drawing stages. A failed check returns the work to the responsible stage before release.

Steel detailing workflow by zone Correct paths advance the zone through modeling, structural checks, shop and erection drawings. Incorrect checks return the work to the responsible stage. CorrectCorrectCorrectCorrectCorrectCorrectIncorrectIncorrectIncorrectIncorrectIncorrect
Columns located, anchor bolts modeled
Anchor bolts and column positions checked
Main structure and light structural steel modeled
Elevations and positions of main structure steel checkedIncludes light structural steel
Erection plans created from model
Connections modeled
Structural and AISC/CISC conformity checkedFinal check
Erection plans created from model
Shop drawings created from model
Presentation and clarity checked
Issued for approval
AdvanceReturn for correction
  1. 01 / Set-outColumns located and anchor bolts modeledAnchor bolt and column positions are checked. Incorrect information returns to set-out.
  2. 02 / Model developmentMain structure and light structural steel modeled
  3. 03 / Geometry verificationElevations and positions checkedIncorrect geometry returns to model development.
  4. 04 / ConnectionsConnections modeled
  5. 05 / Parallel production pathsStructural verification and erection planning proceed in parallel
    05AStructural and AISC/CISC conformity checked
    05BErection plans created from the model
    A failed structural check returns to connections.
  6. 06 / Fabrication drawingsShop drawings created from the model
  7. 07 / Quality reviewPresentation and clarity checkedIncorrect shop drawings or erection plans return to the affected drawing stage.
  8. 08 / ApprovalIssued for approval
Additional coordinated outputs

The initial model also feeds erection planning. The anchor-bolt check feeds shop drawings, and both shop and erection information feed the presentation and clarity review.

Correct - continue to the next stage Incorrect - return to the indicated stage

Steel detailing workflow from model set-out to approval

Model and verify. Columns, anchor bolts, primary steel and light structural steel are modeled and checked by zone.

Detail and document. Connections, AISC/CISC conformity, shop drawings and erection plans are developed from the coordinated model.

Review and release. Drawing presentation and clarity are checked before the zone is issued for approval.

Incorrect information returns to the responsible modeling or drawing stage. This closed-loop process keeps fabrication and erection information coordinated before release.

Selected projects

Structural Steel Project Experience

Complex structures where model intelligence and disciplined detailing support successful fabrication.

Start a conversation

Put a fabrication-first detailing process behind your next steel project.

Discuss project scope, schedule and coordination requirements with our detailing team.

Contact our team