APPLICATION: ONSHORE
CONTENTS
1.0 SCOPE
1. This specification defines the minimum technical requirements for fabrication and erection of
structural steel.
2. Some content is reproduced and used under PIP’s Membership Agreement.
3. This specification covers fabrication of typical Purchaser steel structures; it is not appropriate
for all types of work.
4. Large building frames, offshore structures, large reactor support structures, and other
structures that use higher-strength steels and require more stringent fabrication and inspection
procedures are not within the scope of this specification.
2.0 REFERENCES
1. The following documents are referenced herein and are considered part of this specification.
2. Use the latest edition of each document referenced below unless otherwise specified.
3. Refer to Appendix A for additional references not cited in the text of this specification.
A 123/A 123M Standard Specification for Zinc (Hot-Dip Galvanized) Coatings on Iron and
Steel Products
A 143/A 143M Standard Practice for Safeguarding Against Embrittlement of Hot-Dip
Galvanized Structural Steel Products and Procedure for Detecting
Embrittlement
A 153/A 153M Standard Specification for Zinc Coating (Hot-Dip) on Iron and Steel
Hardware
A 283/A 283M Standard Specification for Low and Intermediate Tensile Strength Carbon
Steel Plates
A 307 Standard Specification for Carbon Steel Bolts and Studs, 60,000 PSI Tensile
Strength
A 325 Standard Specification for Structural Bolts, Steel, Heat Treated, 120/105 ksi
Minimum Tensile Strength
A 325M Standard Specification for Structural Bolts, Steel, Heat Treated 830 MPa
Minimum Tensile Strength (Metric)
A 384/A 384M Standard Practice for Safeguarding Against Warpage and Distortion During
Hot-Dip Galvanizing of Steel Assemblies
A 385/A 385M Standard Practice for Providing High-Quality Zinc Coatings (Hot-Dip)
A 490 Standard Specification for Structural Bolts, Alloy Steel, Heat Treated,
150 ksi Minimum Tensile Strength
A 490M Standard Specification for High-Strength Steel Bolts, Classes 10.9 and
10.9.3, for Structural Steel Joints (Metric)
A 500/A 500M Standard Specification for Cold-Formed Welded and Seamless Carbon Steel
Structural Tubing in Rounds and Shapes
A 501 Standard Specification for Hot-Formed Welded and Seamless Carbon Steel
Structural Tubing
A 563 Standard Specification for Carbon and Alloy Steel Nuts
A 563M Standard Specification for Carbon and Alloy Steel Nuts (Metric)
A 572/A 572M Standard Specification for High-Strength Low-Alloy Columbium-
Vanadium Structural Steel
A 759 Standard Specification for Carbon Steel Crane Rails
A 780/A 780 M Standard Practice for Repair of Damaged and Uncoated Areas of Hot-Dip
Galvanized Coatings
A 786/A 786M Standard Specification for Hot-Rolled Carbon, Low-Alloy, High-Strength
Low Alloy, and Alloy Steel Floor Plates
A 992/A 992M Standard Specification for Structural Steel Shapes
A 1011/A 1011M Standard Specification for Steel, Sheet and Strip, Hot-Rolled, Carbon,
Structural, High-Strength Low-Alloy with Improved Formability, and Ultra-
High Strength
B 695 Standard Specification for Coatings of Zinc Mechanically Deposited on
Iron and Steel
3.0 TERMINOLOGY
3.1 Definitions
Contract documents—Any documents, including design drawings, that Purchaser has
transmitted or otherwise communicated, either by incorporation or reference, and made part of the
legal contract agreement or purchase order between Purchaser and Supplier (fabricator engineer of
record), Purchaser’s authorized representative with overall authority and responsibility for the
structural design.
Fabricator—The party responsible for furnishing fabricated structural and miscellaneous steel.
Professional engineer—An engineer registered or licensed to practice engineering as defined by
the statutory laws of the locality in which a project is to be constructed.
3.2 Acronyms
Cbd—Complex Steel Building
FCAW—Flux Cored Arc Welding
GMAW—Gas Metal Arc Welding
NDT—Nondestructive Testing
PQR—Procedure Qualification Records
SAW—Submerged Arc Welding
SMAW—Shielded Metal Arc Welding
WPS—Welding Procedure Specification
4.2 Submittals
1. Unless indicated elsewhere in contract documents, fabricator shall submit the following
documents (as a minimum) to Purchaser for review and acceptance prior to fabrication:
a. One set of checked, reproducible erection and shop drawings.
1) Fabricator’s erection drawings shall be referenced to Purchaser’s design drawings.
2) Detail sheets shall be referenced to related erection drawings.
3) Approval by Purchaser does not relieve fabricator of responsibility for fully
complying with Purchaser design drawings and specifications.
b. One set of sample engineering calculations for each type of the fabricator-designed
connection.
c. Quality control program and inspection procedures.
d. Welding procedure specification (WPS).
e. Procedure qualification records (PQR).
f. Welder(s) qualification records.
2. At least 10 working days prior to delivery of each steel shipment, one set of reproducible final
erection drawings, shop drawings, and field bolt lists shall be submitted to the field office
construction manager by next-day express courier.
3. If steel delivery is expected in less than 10 working days, then the above documents shall be
submitted by next-day express courier to the field office construction manager immediately
after notification of Purchaser acceptance of delivery.
4. A shipping list (including total weight of release and weight of shipment), a bolt list, and one
set of final erection drawings shall accompany the first shipment of each release.
5. Unless otherwise specified, Purchaser acceptance of these drawings shall be required.
6. At least five working days prior to arrival of each steel shipment, three copies of related bills
of material shall be submitted to Purchaser’s field office.
7. Fabricator shall submit, as a minimum, the following documents to Purchaser for record
purposes:
a. One set of reproducible final erection and shop drawings.
b. Records of quality control inspection test reports as requested by Purchaser.
c. One set of final sample engineering calculations for each type of fabricator-designed
connection, sealed and signed by the responsible professional engineer.
d. Records of calibration or recalibration performed on the tools or equipment used by
fabricator, if requested by Purchaser.
7. Headed studs shall be in accordance with ASTM A 108 Grade 1010 through Grade 1020,
AWS D1.1 Section 7, Type B.
8. Welding filler metal shall be in accordance with AWS D1.1, Section 3.3 (including Table 3.1),
low hydrogen with an electrode strength of 58 ksi (400 MPa) minimum yield strength and
70-ksi (480-MPa) minimum tensile strength.
a. For example, use E70XX for shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), F7XX-EXXX for
submerged arc welding (SAW), ER70S-X for gas metal arc welding (GMAW), and
E7XT-X for flux cored arc welding (FCAW).
b. E60XX electrodes may be used for tack welding.
9. Crane rails shall be in accordance with the following:
a. Rails 60 lb/yd to 84 lb/yd (30 kg/m to 42 kg/m) - ASTM A 1
b. Rails 104 lb/yd to 175 lb/yd (52 kg/m to 88 kg/m) - ASTM A 759
10. Checkered-floor plate shall be in accordance with ASTM A 786/A 786M Pattern 4 or
Pattern 5, and ASTM A 36/A 36M.
6.0 CONNECTIONS
8. For moment connections, primary beam-to-column (strong axis) moment connections shall be
designed to develop full bending capacity of the weakest connected member, unless the design
moment is noted on design drawing.
a. If horizontal and vertical reactions are significant, they shall be shown on Purchaser’s
design drawing.
b. Moment connections for a beam-to-column weak axis shall be specified by Purchaser on
the drawing.
18. A minimum of 5 percent extra quantities of each bolt size and length, including nuts and
washers, shall be furnished by fabricator for field erection.
19. Mechanically galvanized nuts or bolts shall not be interchanged with hot-dipped galvanized
nuts or bolts.
20. Column splices shall be field-bolted and shall conform to AISC 326, Appendix C.
21. Nuts for high-strength bolts shall be wax-dipped to reduce torque during installation.
22. Each bolt component shall be clearly marked with manufacturer’s identification.
23. As required by OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart R, when two structural members on opposite
sides of a column web, or a beam web over a column, are connected sharing common
connection holes, fabricator shall provide a means of supporting one member while erecting
the other member.
a. Unless the means of support is indicated in contract documents, fabricator may provide
one additional row of bolts in the member to be erected first, an erection seat for the
member to be erected first, or other suitable means.
b. Unless additional loading is indicated, the erection seat shall be sized and attached to the
column or supporting beam web with sufficient bolts to support the dead weight of the
member. See OSHA 29 CFR Parts 1910 and 1926 for additional information.
24. If high-strength bolting is used, turn-of-nut, calibrated-wrench, or load-indicating-washer
method may be used for bolt tightening.
a. Temporary shop erection bolts shall be removed and replaced with high-strength bolts.
b. Calibration shall be performed using an approved device capable of indicating actual bolt
tension to assure that minimum required bolt tensions are being obtained in accordance
with the AISC 348.
25. Structural bolts for galvanized steel and bolting for connections between galvanized and
ungalvanized surfaces shall be galvanized.
10. Welding shall be performed by one of the following processes: SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, or
SAW.
11. The interrupted-arc GMAW process shall not be used for anything other than floorplate.
12. Carbon content (product analysis) shall be limited to 0.35 percent for forgings intended for
welding.
13. Weld-through primers shall not be used unless approved in writing by Purchaser.
14. Wind velocities shall not exceed 5 miles per hour in the weld area for gas-shielded processes
and 20 miles per hour for self-shielded electrodes.
15. Shop-welded members with butt welds thicker than 1 1/4 in. (32 mm) (1 1/2 in. [38 mm] if
preheat is maintained to minimum temperature of 200°F [93°C] during welding), or with
double fillet welds exceeding 7/8 in. (22 mm) leg dimensions, shall be stress-relieved at
1100°F to 1200°F (593°C to 649°C) for 1 hour for each inch of weld thickness.
a. Heating rate shall not exceed 400°F (204°C) per hour.
b. Cooling may take place in furnace or in still air.
c. Refer to ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Division 1,
Table UCS-56 for more information.
6. Unless otherwise noted on design drawings, the following working points shall be used:
a. For vertical bracing at the intersection of a column, beam, and brace, gusset plate shall be
connected to both the beam and column. The working point shall be the point at which the
beam and the column centerlines intersect.
b. For the connection of K-braces to nominal beams 10 in. (250 mm) or smaller, the working
point shall be the intersection of the horizontal centerline of the beam and the centerline of
the bay.
c. For the connection of K-braces to nominal beams 12 in. (300 mm) or larger, the working
point shall be the intersection of a horizontal line 5 in. (125 mm) below the top flange
when the brace is above the beam, or 5 in. (125 mm) above the bottom flange when the
brace is below the beam and the centerline of the bay.
8.0 FABRICATION
1. Fabrication shall be in accordance with AISC 303 and AISC 360, as applicable, subject to
modification by contract documents, state or local laws, and building codes.
2. Welding shall be in accordance with AWS D1.1.
3. Shop splices, substitutions of member sizes, or changes in details or dimensions shall be
permitted only with written acceptance from the engineer of record.
4. Beams (except for cantilevers) shall be fabricated with natural mill camber in the up position.
5. Re-entrant corners shall be shaped notched-free to a radius.
6. When performing shop assembly work, fabricator shall not exceed tolerances specified in
AISC 303, Section 7.11.
7. Pieces shall be marked with a permanent identifying erection mark number.
a. Fabricator shall obtain Purchaser acceptance of the method and location of marking.
b. Fabricated steel sections shall be match-marked for field assembly with numbers or letters
corresponding to field erection drawings.
c. A separate numbering system shall be assigned to each complete structure; for example,
each building and equipment support structure, complete pipe way support system, and
platform on any large single piece or grouping of similar equipment.
d. Bundles of bagged items shall have either cloth tags with waterproof ink or tags of pressed
metal.
e. Large items shall be marked in one of the following ways:
1) Welded or stamped so that marks are legible when received at the site, or
2) Painted with an indelible “paint stick” marker of a sharp contrasting color to that of
the primer.
8. Before surface preparation, fabricator shall remove sharp corners, burrs (including bolt hole
burrs), weld spatter, slag, weld flux, loose mill scale, and other foreign matter.
9. Platforms, stairways, and handrails shall be shop-assembled in the largest units suitable for
handling and shipping.
a. Ladder cages shall be shop-assembled on ladders.
b. Regarding ladders and platforms for columns or other vessels, the purchase order or
drawing shall indicate whether the platform and ladder-supporting clips are to be supplied
by vessel Supplier or fabricator.
c. If fabricator is specified, clips shall be fabricated and bolted to the proper members before
shipment.
10. The method for fastening grating shall be as specified on design drawings.
a. If bolted, a minimum of two fasteners per panel shall be used at each support, with a
minimum of four fasteners per panel.
b. If welded, platform grating shall be fastened by 3/16-in. (5 mm) fillet welds 1 1/2 in.
(300 mm) long at intervals not exceeding 18 in. (460 mm) at edge supports, or with a
minimum of four welds per panel.
c. Grating shall be tack-welded at 18-in. (460 mm) centers over intermediate members.
d. Removable grating panels shall be fastened to support members by U-shape clips, or by
other clips that do not create a tripping hazard.
11. Grating/checkered-plate openings dimensioned on design drawings shall be cut and banded in
the shop as shown on drawings.
12. Undimensioned grating/checkered-plate openings shall be cut in the field by others.
13. Joints perpendicular to the span of grating and checkered-plate flooring shall occur only over
support members.
14. Checkered plate shall have drain holes 1/2 in. (12 mm) in diameter provided for each 20 ft.2
(2 m2) of area, with a minimum of one hole per panel.
15. Platform plating shall be fastened to framing members as follows:
a. Unless shown to be seal-welded or removable on the drawing, plate shall be welded to
framing members with 3/16-in. (5-mm) fillet welds 1 1/2 in. (38 mm) long, or with
9/16-in. (14-mm) diameter plug welds at intervals not exceeding 18 in. (460 mm).
b. For galvanized construction, floor-plate welding shall be limited to pre assembled units
welded in the shop prior to galvanizing.
c. If shown removable on the drawing, plate shall be fastened with 3/8-in. (10-mm) diameter
galvanized steel countersunk flathead bolts at intervals not exceeding 18 in. (460 mm).
d. If seal welding is specified, it should be made with a 1/8-in. (3 mm) continuous fillet weld
around the perimeter of the plate.
16. Angles and clips shall be bolted or welded in place and holes shall be punched for bolted field
erection or for fit-up prior to welding for welded field erection.
9.0 GALVANIZING
9.1 General
1. Materials (except for ASTM A 490 bolts, ASTM A 490M bolts, and crane rails) shall be
galvanized, unless otherwise noted in contract documents.
2. Galvanizing of steel shapes, plates, and hardware shall be in accordance with the following
ASTM specifications:
a. Steel shapes and plates - ASTM A123.
b. ASTM A 325/A 325M bolts and corresponding nuts and washers - ASTM B 695
(or ASTM A 153/A 153M, when accepted by Purchaser).
c. ASTM A 36/A 36M threaded bar or ASTM A 307 bolts and corresponding nuts and
washers - ASTM A 153/A 153M or ASTM B 695.
3. Fabricator shall be responsible for safeguarding against embrittlement and warpage per
ASTM A 143 and ASTM A 384.
4. Fabrication details shall meet the requirements of ASTM A 385 to allow for creation of high-
quality zinc coatings.
5. When practical, cutting, drilling, and welding shall be performed before galvanizing.
6. Fabricator shall remove weld slag before galvanizing.
7. Edges of tightly contacting surfaces shall be completely seal-welded.
8. Vent holes shall be provided for piping or tubular assemblies as required by ASTM A 385.
9. Potential problems that require design modification shall be brought to the attention of
Purchaser by fabricator before proceeding.
10. Material specified to be galvanized shall be hot-dip galvanized after fabrication on the same
day the surface is sandblasted or pickled.
a. Galvanizing shall occur before assembly by bolting.
b. Galvanizing procedures shall be in accordance with ASTM A 123, A 153, and A 385.
11. Clips and other structural members that are to receive welding or otherwise come in contact
with austenitic stainless steel shall not be galvanized or painted with zinc-rich coatings.
12. Material shall be properly prepared for galvanizing to prevent embrittlement.
13. Double-dipping shall be permitted only with Purchaser acceptance.
7. Hot repairs shall be made in the shop if any of the following conditions exists:
a. Total damaged area is greater than 1 percent but less than 2 percent of the total coated area
of the member being repaired, or
b. Any single repair is at least 2 in.2 (1,300 mm2) in area, or
c. Any single repair is 12 in. (300 mm) or more long.
8. Hot repairs shall be made using zinc alloy rod or powder manufactured for the repair of
galvanized steel.
9. Flux, heavy ash, or heavy dross inclusions shall be removed by brushing, grinding, or filing as
required.
10. Galvanized steel that has been rejected shall be stripped, re-galvanized, and re-inspected.
11. Correction of excessive warpage (exceeding ASTM A 6/A 6M criteria) shall be by press-
straightening when possible.
12. The application of localized heating to straighten shall be accepted by Purchaser.
13. If galvanized tension control bolts are used, bare steel surfaces (i.e., bolt ends) shall be repair-
galvanized per this section.
11.0 DELIVERY
1. Delivery of steel shall be made in the order needed for erection. Unless otherwise noted in
contract documents or arranged by Purchaser, the delivery sequence shall be as follows:
a. Loose base plates
b. Steel embedded in concrete
c. Erection bolts
d. First-tier columns and framing for all levels (including stairs and handrail)
e. Second-tier columns and framing
2. Fabricator shall be responsible for delivering materials and documentation to the job site in
good condition.
3. Materials and documentation shall be inspected by Purchaser immediately upon receipt to
verify the following:
a. All items on the bill of materials have been supplied.
b. Required documentation has been included.
c. No damage has been incurred.
4. Purchaser reserves the right to reject damaged or below-quality material or documentation.
5. Each load of fabricated steel delivered to the job site (including shipments from the
galvanizer) must be accompanied by a shipping list that include the following information:
a. Piece-mark number of each piece in shipment.
b. Ship order numbers (or area number on multiple unit projects).
c. Weight of each piece.
6. Fabricated steel from more than one shop order shall not be shipped together without prior
acceptance from Purchaser.
APPENDIX A
ADDITIONAL REFERENCES
The following references are not cited in this specification but are listed here for further reference.