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Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-08-31 Origin: Site
Steel structure construction involves coordinated fabrication, assembly, connection and protective treatment. Clear work procedures help maintain dimensional accuracy, connection quality and consistent workmanship throughout the project.
This article outlines ten common processes used in structural steel projects. These are separate work activities rather than ten consecutive construction stages. The applicable sequence must follow approved drawings, project specifications and construction method statements.
Manual arc welding, also known as shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), is used to join steel components in fabrication and site installation.
Typical workflow:
Work preparation → Joint preparation and fit-up → Welding in the required position → Slag removal and cleaning → Weld inspection → Repair and reinspection, if required
Flat, vertical, horizontal and overhead welding are selected according to joint orientation and the approved welding procedure. Electrode storage and any redrying must follow the electrode manufacturer’s instructions. Electrode handling guidance.
Tension-control (TC) bolts use matched bolt assemblies and a dedicated installation tool for pretensioning.
Typical workflow:
Work preparation → Bolt assembly verification and required installation testing → Joint alignment → Temporary bolt installation → High-strength bolt installation → Initial tightening → Final pretensioning → Inspection and acceptance
Confirm the specified bolt assemblies, joint condition and installation procedure before tightening. A sheared spline alone does not establish that the complete installation procedure was followed correctly. RCSC bolting specification.
Heavy hex high-strength bolts connect structural members using the tightening method specified for the project.
Typical workflow:
Work preparation → Bolt and equipment verification → Joint assembly and alignment → Temporary bolt installation → High-strength bolt installation → Initial tightening → Final pretensioning, where specified → Inspection and acceptance
Use the approved tightening method and its associated verification requirements. Do not apply a single torque value to all bolt sizes, grades and surface conditions. RCSC bolting specification.
Steel roof truss fabrication converts individual steel components into assemblies ready for transport and erection.
Typical workflow:
Drawing review and material preparation → Marking and cutting → Component processing → Subassembly → Full truss assembly → Truss welding → Installation and welding of connection plates, purlin cleats and bearing angles → Final inspection → Surface preparation and coating → Identification marking
Inspection should cover overall dimensions, member alignment, connection locations and weld quality. Fabrication and welding sequences should account for distortion control.
Roof truss erection requires controlled lifting, accurate positioning and stability throughout installation.
Typical workflow:
Site and lifting preparation → Truss preassembly, where required → Lifting and positioning → Temporary restraint and bracing → Alignment → Permanent connections and bracing → Inspection and acceptance → Coating repairs
Temporary bracing and erection-stage stability must be addressed in the approved erection plan. Truss stability during installation requires separate consideration from the completed structure. AISC truss erection guidance.
Space frames consist of interconnected members and nodes assembled into three-dimensional structural units.
Typical workflow:
Work preparation → Node fabrication and inspection → Member fabrication and inspection → Small-unit assembly → Larger-unit assembly → Completion of specified connections → Dimensional and connection inspection → Assembly acceptance
Connection work depends on the node system. Welded ball-node assemblies require welding and weld inspection, while bolted spherical-node systems follow their specified mechanical connection procedures.
For suitable space frame configurations, installation may proceed through successive lower-chord, upper-chord and web-member units.
Typical workflow:
Setting out and survey verification → Temporary support preparation → Lower-chord grid installation → Upper-chord and inverted triangular-unit assembly → Completion of upright triangular units and remaining members → Geometry adjustment and connection completion → Roof support installation → Permanent support connection → Inspection and acceptance
This sequence is illustrative. The actual erection order, temporary supports and connection details must suit the selected structural system and approved installation plan. Support welding is performed only where specified.
This method involves assembling designated units at ground level, lifting them into position and completing their connections at elevation.
Typical workflow:
Setting out and survey verification → Assembly platform preparation → Planar grid assembly → Three-dimensional grid assembly → Upper-chord completion → Ground-level inspection → Controlled lifting and positioning → Elevated closure connections → Final survey and inspection → Acceptance
Lifting units, lifting points, temporary restraints and load transfer must be defined in an engineered lifting plan. This method is not suitable for every space frame configuration.
Protective coating work should follow the selected coating system and the project’s environmental exposure requirements.
Typical workflow:
Surface cleaning and preparation → Surface inspection → Primer application → Intermediate coat, where specified → Topcoat application → Curing → Coating inspection and repairs → Acceptance
Check surface condition, application conditions, recoating intervals and dry film thickness against the approved specification. The number and type of coats depend on the selected system.
Fire protection materials must be selected and applied as part of an approved system suitable for the steel members and required fire resistance.
Typical workflow:
Work preparation → Substrate and primer inspection → Material preparation and mixing → Application in specified coats or passes → Drying or curing → Thickness and condition inspection → Compatible protective topcoat, where required → Final acceptance
Application may involve spraying, brushing or trowelling, depending on the product. For intumescent systems, primers and topcoats must be approved as compatible components of the system. Coating compatibility guidance.
Quality control should accompany every stage, from incoming material checks to final acceptance. Maintain records of material identification, dimensional inspections, weld inspections, bolt installation checks and coating measurements.
These workflows provide a general overview. Project-specific drawings, engineering requirements, applicable standards and manufacturer instructions govern the actual work.
