Primary frame and embeds
The approximately 4,029-ton package included wide-flange beams, columns, braces, HSS members and embedded steel items.
LocationBillings, Montana
Client and fabricatorTrueNorth Steel
Structural and miscellaneous steelApproximately 4,029 tons
Delivery methodDesign assist
Project overview
A major vertical healthcare project in Billings.
The IH Billings Hospital project focused on upgrading healthcare infrastructure and supporting improved patient care services in Billings, Montana.
At 14 stories, the hospital represents a substantial vertical healthcare structure. Working for TrueNorth Steel, our team provided design-assist and detailing services for approximately 4,029 tons of structural and miscellaneous steel.
The scope extended from the building’s primary structural frame to elevator framing, roof openings, a sky bridge, extensive stair towers and miscellaneous metals.
Project team and technical details
- Building height
- 14 stories
- Engineer of Record
- Martin/Martin
- Connection designer
- HDR Architecture
- Primary scope
- Structural steel and miscellaneous metals detailing
- Special elements
- Elevator frames, roof openings, sky bridge and stair towers
- Coordinated trades
- Precast, metal deck, elevators, stud wall panels, shell and penetrations
Detailing scope
From the main structural frame to stairs, guardrails and ladders.
Elevator and roof-opening steel
Specialized framing was developed for elevators and openings within the roof structure.
Skybridge and stair towers
The scope included a skybridge and extensive stair towers across the 14-story hospital.
Miscellaneous metals
Stairs, guardrails, ladders and related secondary steel were coordinated with the primary structure.
Design-assist engineering reviews
Developing models were submitted regularly to Martin/Martin, the Engineer of Record.
Multitrade structural interfaces
Precast, metal deck, elevators, wall panels, shell systems and penetrations were reviewed against the steel model.
Technical complexity
Managing a large number of interfaces across a tall healthcare structure.
Coordination across fourteen stories
The tall structural frame required consistent information between floors and the many specialized and miscellaneous steel elements.
Elevators, skybridge and roof openings
These distinct steel areas created interfaces with building systems that needed review throughout the design-assist process.
Multiple subcontractor models
Precast, deck, wall panels, shell systems and penetration information had to be incorporated into structural coordination.
Developing design under engineering review
Regular EOR submissions kept the steel model aligned with current engineering documentation as the structural package progressed.
Our approach
Continuous model development supported by regular engineering review.
Our team maintained the structural model as the primary source of detailing information and submitted it regularly to the Engineer of Record.
Information received from the precast, metal deck, elevator, stud wall panel, shell and penetration trades was incorporated into the coordination process as the project developed.
The workflow centered on:
- regular model reviews with the EOR,
- coordination of structural and miscellaneous steel,
- integration of information from multiple trades,
- consistent model development across 14 stories,
- alignment with current engineering documentation.
A developing model regularly reviewed by the Engineer of Record.
The project was delivered through a design-assist process. As the structural package developed, our team regularly submitted models to Martin/Martin, the Engineer of Record, for review.
This provided a consistent workflow for coordinating the detailing model with the current engineering information across the 14-story structure.
One coordinated model across structure, systems and trades.
The hospital required coordination between the structural steel package and several subcontractors and building trades.
The coordination scope included:
- precast elements,
- metal deck,
- elevator systems,
- stud wall panels,
- building shell systems,
- structural penetrations.
Information from these trades had to be reviewed and reflected in the developing structural model to keep the steel package aligned with adjacent building systems.
Project animation
Explore the project in motion.
Project result
Primary structure, special elements and miscellaneous metals within one detailing scope.
The project brought several distinct steel packages together:
Main structural frame Wide-flange beams, columns, braces, HSS members and embeds.
Special structural elements Elevator frames, roof openings and the sky bridge.
Vertical circulation Extensive stair towers across the 14-story building.
Miscellaneous metals Stairs, guardrails, ladders and related items.