Shop Drawings and the SER :To Do or Not to Do? That is the Question [N44]

In today's world of sophisticated structural analysis and design software, Building Information Modeling (BIM) and 3D steel detailing software, has the time come for the SER to prepare the shop drawings for the Fabricator? This process has been used routinely for many years for Highway Bridges, and is occasionally being used today for Buildings. Should this practice become the standard? While this seems to answer the question of responsibility for connection design once and for all, it raises many new concerns: Are engineers properly trained and experienced in the preparation of shop and fabrication drawings? How does this affect the allocation of risk and responsibility on a project? What impact would this have on the business practices of both engineers and fabricators? Would this practice help or hinder the process?

View content