Month: May 2014


Some structural steel fabrication drawings have material specifications that are probably incorrect.  For example, many architects and engineers mistakenly detail their drawings calling for the use of pipe with an A53 vs. A500 grade specification in their bill of material. Read more…


In many designs, pipe or tube jackets/sleeves are required to perform a specific function that standard mill pipe cannot perform, nor any other standard steel mill shape.  Used in such applications but not limited to reinforcing existing pipe and/or used Read more…


The North Halsted Bridge Project incorporates quite a variety of curved steel sections rolled in quite a variety of ways to achieve some rather spectacular effects particularly with its lighting. Start with the curved box girders fabricated from steel plates Read more…


Recently at a presentation on curved steel, an architect asked if a structural steel beam could be bent into a compound curve.  The wide flange beam was to support and define the roof above clerestory windows in a college center Read more…


I am starting to see charging stations for electric cars.  A neighbor who is fortunate to own two electric cars manufactured by Tesla has his charging station in his garage.  However, if he wants to travel between cities along well-traveled Read more…


A wiper die is a tool in a rotary-draw-bending machine set up that prevents the deformation in the form of wrinkles that occurs when the material exceeds its elastic limit and sets in the curve.  As the pipe is drawn Read more…

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