Why Steel
Project Delivery Methods
Early fabricator involvement captures the full benefits of structural steel
Your selection of structural steel as the framing system for your project will accelerate the project schedule and minimize risks associated with construction delays. Successful structural steel-framed projects have been completed using a variety of project delivery methodologies. A structural steel fabricator is a valuable resource during the development of the project's design and should be consulted as early as possible, independent of the delivery method being used. Early involvement by the steel fabricator has been demonstrated to speed project delivery and lower project costs.
Coordination of the activities of the structural engineer and steel fabricator can result in significant schedule savings beyond what would normally be anticipated on a steel-framed project. AISC has documented projects in which early fabricator involvement has reduced the schedule requirements of the steel portion of the project by as much as 30%. And the steel framing system is always on the critical path of the project.)
Engaging a fabricator early in the project design process provides the greatest opportunity for cost savings on the project because the project is gaining the fabricators expertise not just the steel that is being fabricated.
Engaging a fabricator as part of the design team during schematic design can assist the structural engineer in producing a more comprehensive early steel package and compress the project schedule by allowing the fabricator to overlay critical path activities that are typical sequential. It is not unusual to see the schedule for the steel package delivery to be compressed by 25%.
Early Involvement Case Studies
- Design-Build St Vincent Medical Center, Toledo, OH
- Design-Build at Academic Village, Pembroke Pines, FL
- Design-Build at Union Station, Denver, CO
- Intergrated Project Delivery at Sutter Health Eden Medical Center, Castro Valley, CA
- Intergrated Project Delivery at University City Science Center, Philadelphia, PA
How to Make the Fabricator a part of your team
- What to look for in an early-involvement fabricator (No Good Deed Goes Unpunished, MSC 2003)
- A three article series examining the traditional project delivery methods and how a project team can work together more effectively. (It doesn't have to be that way, MSC 2003)
- How can a structural engineer and fabricator work best together in a Design-Build relationship? (Teamwork works, MSC 2002)
Steel Solutions Center
The Steel Solutions Center is for people who need technical assistance, innovative solutions, or tools to make structural steel design even easier.