Beyond the Usual Dimensional Questions that Need Answered, What Else Needs to be Discussed about Curving Steel Beams


In any conversation about curving steel beams there are certain topics that are likely to be discussed:  the section to be rolled, the material grade, the orientation of the curved section, the radius including specifying where it is measured from (outside, inside, center-line.), and the degree of — or length of — arc.  Are there any dimensional tolerances?  Without this information, a metal rolling company cannot proceed to curve a length of structural steel.

But projects often require a longer conversation.

Who will supply the raw material?  The customer or the supplier?

How should the ends of the curved sections be treated?  Should they be left untrimmed?  Should they include the initial distortion that will be cut off by the customer?  Or should the ends have straight tangents?  If so, some care has to be taken to assure a smooth transition from the curved to straight section.  How are the ends to be cut?  Saw cut?  Rough torch cut?

Will the curved sections fit on a legal-sized flatbed or in a van?  Or will special permits be required to ship the parts?  If so, should the curved sections be cut, and, if so, where?

Are the curved beams going to be exposed to view?  Will they need to satisfy AESS (Architecturally Exposed Curved Steel) requirements?  And, if so, what specifically will be expected?  It is often critical that the customer’s expectations are spelled out in great detail to avoid any misunderstandings.

The conversation should include when the curved sections should be shipped.  Who will arrange for the transportation of the finished goods.  And if the customer has any special unloading requirements like its maximum lift load.

The benefits of having a clear and shared expectation of what is required by the customer and what will be provided by the supplier will far outweigh the “costs” of the effort.

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