STEEL DETAILING PRACTICES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Engr. Franklin J. Guerrero1

1

Department Head, ESCA Inc., Manila, Philippines

Abstract : Structural steel detailing has become a major part of the structural engineers and architects work. The use of steel is universal and very popular in the construction of the tallest, the most complex and sturdiest megastructures in the world. The Philippines has developed a very competent and productive core of structural steel detailers across the global market. They are mostly civil engineers who have entered the steel construction industry and became known for their excellence in Asia and the westerns countries including the United States. Because of this expertise, outsourcing steel detailing has turned into one of the most productive endeavors of the Philippine civil engineer. For the continuous development of this industry, there are sectors within the Philippine engineering community that envision the establishment of steel detailing schools and training centers. Keywords : Philippine steel detailing, outsourcing, detailer training 1. STEEL DETAILING
With utmost accuracy, the steel detailer and his work plays a vital role in the construction of any superstructure. 1.1 Introduction Have you ever admired a building and wondered about the process it entailed to have it established? What you see outside is the facade or skin which may consist of glass, brick, stone or a combination thereof. Beneath it is the frame or the skeleton of the building. There are underlying structural elements that strengthen and support the superstructure. It is usually made of steel -- the modern day structural material used by many. Steel detailing is the process of establishing this skeleton. The steel detailer, or the person incharge of steel detailing, should be equipped with sufficient knowledge and skills to prepare shop fabrication and steel erection drawings very early in the construction phase. These are used subsequently by the steel construction team and by the contractors of other trades. His main responsibility is to effectively translate the design intent of the structural engineer into a language that is understood by the shop men and erection crew. This will result in perfect shop and erection drawings, which reduce detailing errors that will possibly endanger the structure and cause expense to the contractors To attain this level of competence, the steel detailer familiarizes himself with the fabricators equipment at the shops. A complete knowledge of available steel detailing softwares is a necessity. The detailer's tool in producing top quality and accurate drawings is, at present, the 3D software. Proficiency in the use of the software is an asset to a good detailer. Furthermore, it is a good practice that the detailer is at least knowledgeable of structural engineering fundamentals since drawings are always sent to the structural engineer designer for approval. 1.2. Aims of the Paper Structural steel detailing is not a new concept, having been utilized from the first time steel structures were built. Since then, there came about modifications in steel detailing, particularly in the methodology of producing shop fabrication and erection drawings. Thus, this paper first aims to describe the basic detailing practices in structural steel detailing as they are applied in present day construction. As the world enters the technologically advanced age, it cannot be denied that the use of software programs has become a critical component in assisting steel detailers. Of great significance is the outpouring of 3D softwares that have simplified the production of 2D shop drawings and reduced, if not totally eliminated, all fabrication and erection errors. Consequently, this paper aims to explain the use of AutoCad and the dramatic change it has done to the detailing industry. In effect, steel detailing has become one of the major outsourcing industries from the Philippines. Almost all of Philippine steel detailing companies provide services to major western countries including US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and UK. As a conclusion, this paper intends to discuss both the benefits and concerns about outsourcing, especially in regards to manpower and software availability.

1.3. Current practices Most, if not all, of the practicing structural steel detailers in the Philippines are Civil Engineering or Architecture graduates. They have undergone special trainings at the start of their detailing careers. Most of the fabrication and detailing companies in the Philippines have their construction standards patterned after that of the United States. The discussions below are excerpts from the AISC and NISD publication Detailing for Steel Construction, 2nd Edition, USA.

These complete data from the engineer design drawings allow the detailer to prepare 3D models of the structure. The structure will be complete with all the beams, columns, braces and with all the necessary special connections for seismic and wind forces. Material Specifications The American Society for Testing Material (ASTM) provides the standard specifications for structural steel. Some of the designation and minimum yield stress are given below: o ASTM A992 - equivalent to ASTM A572 grade 50, used for wide-flange shapes and has Fy = 50 ksi ASTM A36 carbon steel with one minimum yield stress level equal to 36 ksi for all shapes (W shapes are ASTM A992 today) and for plates and bars through 8 in. thick. Plates and bar over 8 in. thick have minimum yield stress of 32 ksi. ASTM A500 used for hollow structural sections, square and rectangular grade B offers Fy = 46 ksi, round grade B requires Fy = 42 ksi ASTM A53 the steel used for steel pipe has Fy = 35 ksi ASTM A529 a carbon steel with minimum yield stress of 42 ksi, limited to Group 1 shapes and to plates and bars 0.25 in. thick and less ASTM A572 high strength, low-alloy steel with four minimum yield stress levels ranging from 42 ksi to 65 ksi 42 ksi and 50 ksi all shape groups 60 ksi Group 1 and 2 65 ksi Group 1 ASTM A588 corrosion-resistant, high-strength, low-alloy steel with a single minimum yield stress level for shapes and 3 level for plates and bars (50 ksi, 46 ksi, 42 ksi) The highest stress level is applicable to all shapes and to plate and bars over 4 in. thick, which makes steel unique. The minimum stress of plates and bars with thickness over 4 in. is reduced. ASTM A514 quenched and tempered alloy steel with 90 to 100 ksi minimum yield stress range This specification is for plates and bars only. The characteristic of this steel is derived from heat treatment and must consider during the welding process to maintain it. o ASTM A913 low-alloy steel produced by the quenching and self-tempering process This specification refers to jumbo steel section with minimum yield stress level of 33 ksi.

The Steel Detailing Process The Contract documents that are needed to be furnished to the detailers are: Plans and Specifications The design drawings and specifications define the work in a project and they are collectively considered as the most important part of the contract documents. The design drawing illustrates how the structure will look like while the specification explains how the work will be accomplished. Design Information The design drawing shows the shape of the structure, sections and sizes of the members, location and arrangement of members in the frame, beam/girder camber, floor levels and roof, column center and offsets with correct dimensions, details of structural joins, bearing stiffeners on beams and girders, beam web reinforcement, connections between the curtain wall and the supporting frame, column stiffeners, column anchorage, applicable design specifications, loads and forces to be resisted by each member, and appropriate connections. Structural design drawings show the necessary information for complete detailing of columns and other structural members. The size and location of all structural frames must be visually recreated using the plan views, elevation views, sectional views, enlarged details, tabulation and notes of the engineering drawings. The orientation of the column faces as well as the location of the column centers should be shown in the plan views. The beams and girders framing are assumed to connect at the center of the column web or flange. Structural design drawings are relatively small diagrams of lines. For special framing conditions (in cases of spandrel framing, members at elevator openings, or beams around stairwells and ramps), an enlarged section of structural design drawings are made to help alert the detailer for complex situations.

o o

o o o o

The figure below shows the sequence of work of a typical detailing group.

Advance Bill for Ordering Material Most contracts require the majority of steel be ordered directly from steel rolling mills. However, the steel material may be acquired in different sources. Raw materials may be acquired from one or more rolling mills, steel service centers, or from the fabricators own stock. The fabrication process will not begin until the required materials arrive at the fabrication plant. The fabricators purchaser is the one responsible for the purchase of all the materials needed in the project. A complete and detailed description of all the raw materials needed in the contract must be prepared first by the steel detailer before the purchaser can place any orders with suppliers. The detailed list of the raw materials needed is prepared on a form called advance bill of material, advance bill, reserve bill, material list or preliminary bill. It is much preferable to postpone the ordering of materials until shop details are made and checked. The required dimensions for each piece may be taken directly from the shop detail drawings. However, if there are delivery dates that need to be met, postponement is not applicable. For this reason, the ordered lengths of the pieces must be determined in advance. If there is a specification in the project that steel should not be ordered before the approval of the shop drawings, this should be discussed in the pre-construction conference and the possible extension in the fabrication schedule should be explained.

Figure 1. The detailing process, (AISC & NISD, 2002). For detailing groups that are using 3D models, the sequence of work is as follows: o Job and fabrication set up o Preparation of typical details, job standard sheets, layouts and calculation sheets o Preparation of system of assembling and shipping piece marks o Data entry and checking of columns with base plate data o Data entry and checking of beams and other structural members o Preparation of advance bills for ordering material o Production and checking of Anchor Rod Setting Plan o Data entry and checking of connections o Generation of clash check o Production and checking of column and beam details o Submission for approval o Revision of detail with approval comments o Submission to fabricator for production o Generation of field bolt list

Advance Bill Preparation An experienced steel detailer is required in the preparation of advance bill to make sure that efficient ordering of material will be attained. The steel detailer who prepares the advance bill must be thoroughly grounded in structural detailing, familiar with mill practices and conversant with specialties that often become part of structural steel contracts. Materials must be ordered economically and accurately to avoid waste and gain savings. Pieces like anchor rods, leveling plates, base plates, etc. that should be delivered first in the erection site should be ordered as soon as possible. Some fabricators may require the advance bills for these materials to be labeled as Advance Shipment. Items that are required for the assembly of each shipping piece must be purchased as soon as possible to avoid delay in the shipment of the fabricated pieces. The output from the 3D softwares has reduced so much the time it takes for a detailer to come up with a complete set of advanced bill of materials for a particular project. Once a building is modeled with all its connections, the detailing programs automatically produce the advance material lists that are used by the fabricators purchasing department. The fabricator has the option either to buy the

Steel Detailing Quality The shop drawings prepared by the steel detailer will be useful not only in the shop but also to other subcontractors of the fabricator. Shop drawings must be made accurately and completely, whether it is done by hand or computeraided drafting (CAD). Neatness is imperative. The number of views to be prepared depends on the size and kind of fabrication and detail needed. Dimensions are important, so views should be spaced sufficiently to allow dimensioning and addition of other necessary information.

whole bulk of materials at one tome, or make partial orders depending on their project or work schedules. Erection Drawings Erection drawings are used to allow the erector to identify and locate the size and length of a member, its piece mark and its position within the erection sequence. To give the erector a three-dimensional view of the structure, computergenerated isometric drawings are also occasionally provided. In Figure 2a and 2b, a set of erection drawings are shown. The lines in these diagrams represent framing in plan, elevation, section, etc., where the principal dimensions, erection marks, notes and if required, enlarged details, bolt installation requirements and weld requirements are added. In order to identify each piece or subassembly of pieces in the framework, the erection drawings should show each piece with their assigned shipping or erection mark. The erection drawings should also include the sizes of each member and the information needed for the erection so that the erector can proceed with the erection process without the need to study the shop drawings to a greater extent just to understand how to frame the members. The erection drawings numerical identification is usually preceded by the letter E, for example, E1, E8, E16, E18, etc. The erection scheme, schedule, rigging devices, temporary supports, safety devices and other material and equipment needed in the erection process are not to be included in the erection drawing prepared by the steel detailer for the erector.

Figure 2b. Sample erection drawing, (AISC & NISD, 2002)

Guidelines The following rules of thumb for preparing erection drawings are taken from Detailing for Steel Construction, Second Edition by AISC. a. Anchor rod, grillage and embedment plans and erection drawings usually are made to 1/8-in. scale. Details and sketches on the drawings are made to a larger scale suitable for clearly showing the required information. The information must be kept clear and uncomplicated for the concrete workers when anchor rod plans must show other cast-in-concrete members such as sill angles, pipe sleeves, trench angles, machinery foundation steel, etc. Various types of erection drawings for the structural frame include floor plans, framing plans, roof plans, side and end elevations, bottom chord bracing plans, crane runway plans, and should include drawings of required section details. All plans should show the compass north and project north. Preferably, the north arrow should be oriented in the same direction shown on the design drawings. On an elevation view or building section, note the direction viewed (such as Elevation Looking East). Where the sections cut along specific column lines or rows, these lines of rows should be stated (such as Elevation Along Line B).

b.

c.

d.

e.

Figure 2a. Sample erection drawing, (AISC & NISD, 2002)

f.

The erection drawings must indicate the procedure required when the shop drawings or clearances require a certain sequence of erection. The erector should be able to erect structural steel members without temporarily shifting supporting members for their final positions in the structure. If this is impossible, place a note on the erection drawing calling the erectors attention to this situation. g. Placing the field bolts heads on the exposed side may be required when the finished appearance of the structure (or portion of the structure) is under consideration. h. The erection drawing should clearly show the method of adjustment and the final position of the member if there is a situation requiring field adjustment of members. i. Members that are fabricated as Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel (AESS) must be identified on the erection drawings. j. Heavy lines, with weights that will contrast markedly with the center and dimension lines, should be use to indicate line work representing framing. Leave a small space between the end of the beam and the member to which it frames to indicate they are separate members. k. The mark on the erection drawings should be placed on the end of the member corresponding to the marked end on the shop drawing. l. Erection drawings should include the instructions for making field connections, either by bolting or welding. m. The starting point of the erection should be shown if the contact documents required it. n. Symmetrical members, such as angles and channels, should be shown or noted as to which they are oriented (see Figure 2c). o. When locating channel members on an erection drawing, the dimensions should be given to the back of the channel, not to the centerline of the channel web. p. Erection drawings should be complete enough to allow the erector to assemble the structure without undue pondering and calls for assistance. q. As much as possible, sections and line elevations should be cut facing the same direction. r. General notes should indicate elevation of top of steel, grade of steel, type of field welding and field bolting and washer criteria.

Figure 2c. Sample erection drawing, (AISC & NISD, 2002) Bolting The instruction that must be prepared by a steel detailer for field bolted connections are relatively simple. The open holes provided to receive the fasteners indicate the number and locations of the fasteners required for each connections. The size, specification and type of high-strength bolts are used to identify them, for example, A325-N. The notation UN (Unless Noted) is placed behind the type designation of the bolt if exceptions to bolt identification are found on the project. The bolts to be used in the location of the project where the General Notes do not apply are specially marked to show the identification of the bolts to be used. If the bolts are to be installed under a particular sequence of connection, the sequence of installation should be shown in the erection drawing. As much as possible, avoid this type of connection. If any galvanized bolts, nuts and washers are to be used in the project, the bolt instructions should emphasize them. The instruction should also include the method of installation of high-strength bolts (e.g. snug-tightened or pre-tensioned), the required installation method for pretensioned, if applicable (e.g., turn-of-nut, calibrated wrench, TC Bolt, or DTI) and the requirements for washers (e.g., hardened, plate, or beveled), if required. Welding Weld symbols, notes and details showing the required work are used in the field to give the instruction on the field weld size and the location of the weld. The number and complexity of detail must be kept at a complete minimum and provide all the information needed in the field. To be able to achieve this, the manner of presenting the necessary information must be systemized.

Anchor Rod Plans and Details The steel detailer prepares the anchor rod plan together with the details of advance materials. The anchor rod plan is similar in appearance with the design foundation plan. It is used to obtain complete information for field placement of the advance materials like anchor rods, leveling plates and loose base plates. Anchor rod plans include erection marks; elevations at the tops of the base plates and leveling plates; grout thickness; and the projection of anchor rods above the top of concrete. The data to be used for elevations of the tops of the base plates and leveling plates, as obtained from the foundation plan, must be checked and verified with two other components: (a) the information given on the design drawings for the structural framing and (b) the elevations of the top portions of the footing. The orientation and location of columns must be the same in all layers above the foundation. Following these guidelines saves time and lessens errors midway in the project.

required on one side of the column only, the side to be finished is drawn at the bottom of the column if the column is in upright position (Figure 6) and to the left of the column if the column is in horizontal position. These arrangements are given so that the steel detailer can provide enough space for the details of the column. The upright position is advisable if there are few details in the column, since more columns can be detailed in one sheet. However, for columns with complicated fittings, bracing connections and sectional views (only when required), the horizontal position is more appropriate. The space provided between each drawing must be enough to allow dimensioning and other details of gusset plates or brackets that may be extended from the column shafts.

Columns The fabrication method that will be used for shop and field connections are determined first by the detailing group, erector and shop management before production of shop drawings of columns and beams. The type of field connections preferred by the erector is important because it reflects the ability of the erector to use and apply manpower and equipment in the site to the maximum advantage of the project. There are four methods available for field connections: a. b. c. d. shop welded and field bolted shop and field bolted shop and field welded shop bolted and field welded

Figure 4. Horizontal position of showing column details, (AISC & NISD, 2002)

Shop welded and field bolted connections and shop and field bolted connections are the two most common methods in the field. The method used and accepted in the shop depends on the available equipment and fabrication experience of the shop. Fabrication plants that are suitable for punched and drilled work may prefer the use of bolts. Other shops may be more suitable for welding and prefer all shop connections to be welded. Some shops can handle both types of connections, in order to have balance workloads; the connections are made on a job-to-job basis. The steel detailer is responsible for providing in the detail drawings the most economical and efficient connection for the fabricator.

Figure 5. Upright position of showing column details, (AISC & NISD, 2002).

Drawing Arrangement There are two ways to show the shop details of columns. It may be shown in a horizontal position (Figure 4) or in an upright or vertical position (Figure 5). If finishing is

Connection Angle Details

Figure 6. Details of side to be finish located at the bottom of the column in upright position, (AISC & NISD, 2002).

Preprinted drawings include shop bills for listing required materials in addition to the title block. The shop bills are usually placed at the right side of the sheet above or across the bottom of the title block. If there are separate forms for shop bills, the entire sheet area is used for the sketches. General notes applicable to the entire sheet are placed near the title block, at the lower right corner of the sheet. Special notes are ideally placed near the detail concerned, but may also be placed anywhere in the sheet. Beams and Girders Each beam in a system of floor or roof framing makes a suitable unit for shipping and erection. Drawings of adjacent members to the beam are not usually shown on the shop drawings but must be considered in preparing the detail of the beam. The location of open holes in the beam connections must match with the location of the open holes in the supporting members. While connecting beams to the supporting members, it may swing or move up and down. To provide clearances for possible movement of beams during erection, proper erection clearances must be provided and any interference must be removed. The goal of detailing practice is to find the most economical use of material while reducing the cost of fabrication. The methods used for the calculation of structural steel weights are published in AISC Code of Standard Practice. It is the responsibility of the steel detailer to determine the multiples of non-rectangular shapes and where to cut them to have a more economical piece. Dealing with unsymmetrical shapes like channels and unequal leg angles must be done with care to make sure that the proper nesting or multiplying can be attained. Figure 8. Shop detail for the W18x60 beam in the part Plan shown in Figure 8, (AISC & NISD, 2002). Figure 7. Part plan, (AISC & NISD, 2002).

Figure 7 shows a Part Plan where the W18x60 beam (shop detail in Figure 8) is included. The connection angles selected are shown at the left end of beam B1. The detailing practice use for detailing these connection angles follows these standards: Two open holes for field bolts are required for every shop bolt (shown as hexagon) through the web. These holes are shown in the drawing by blackening the angle thickness of the bolt pitch. The corresponding gage for web leg equal to 3 in. is 2 -in.

Table J3.4 of the AISC Specification gives the minimum edge distance from the center of a standard hole to any rolled or cut edge. Base on AISC Specification requirements, for a 2 -in. gage the edge distance to the rolled edge of the connection angles is 1 -in. To determine the incremental amounts to be added to accommodate oversized and slotted holes, refer to Table J3.7 and J3.8 of AISC Specification.

Dimensioning Figure 8 shows the complete shop detail and material billing for the W18x60 of Figure 7. In accordance with Detailing for Steel Construction by AISC the following may be noted from the given figure: The distances from the extreme end of the beam to a major reference line like centerline of the supporting beam or column are indicated by the minus dimensions or seatbacks (-5/16) shown at each end of the main dimension line showing the beam length (19-11 3/8). The seatback dimension for a beam framing to other beams is made equal to tw/2 + 1/16-in., where tw is the thickness of the web of the supporting beam. This dimension is usually called the c-dimension. The sum of the two setback dimensions are subtracted from the center-to-center dimension between supporting beams to obtain the back-toback dimension of end connection angles. To allow the ends of the W18x60 to stop approximately -in. short of the backs of the connection angles, the length of the beam is billed as 19ft-10 -in. This allowance is given to prevent cutting again or trimming due to inaccurate cutting of the beam length at the mill or at the shop. Based on Figure 109, the ends of beam B1 are theoretically located 7/16-in. short of the backs of the connection angles. The edge distance on the end of the beam is equal to 2 - 7/16 = 1 3/16-in. (not shown in the figure). The computed edge distance is less than the minimum requirement or sheared edges, which is 1 -in. for -in. diameter fastener. Table J3.4 of AISC Specification summarizes edge distance requirements for sheared edges. The design strength of the connection may be reduced by the application of AISC Specification Section J3.10 if it has been saw-cut or gas-cut (not sheared) to length. Regardless of the size of the holes, some shops require minimum edge distance of 1 -in. for clamping or gripping main material in a multiplepunch machine. This requirement in not necessary for detail material like connection angles. The mill tolerance for length underrun must be considered when setting edge distances to obtain

the minimum required by specification or for gripping materials. Refer to Table 1-54 of the AISC Manual, Part 1. W shape beams 24-in. and under may underrun 3/8-in. and beams over 24-in. may underrun -in. Therefore, if this underrun allowance is divided by two, the maximum underrun for each end will be 3/16-in. to -in., respectively. For 30-ft length, the overrun tolerance is the same, and 1/16-in. is added for every 5-ft increase for lengths greater than 30-ft. Top and bottom views are not shown since holes are not required in both flanges. In general, views that do not show positive instructions or contribute to the clarification of the details are not shown. A note like No paint in the outstanding legs of connection angles. must be added in the drawing if shop coat paint had been specified and the field bolts to be used are A325 or A490 bolts in slipcritical connection. If the note is applicable to several beams, it is usually placed in the General Notes of the drawing.

Beams with depths of 12-in or less are usually drawn to a scale of 1-in. = 1 ft-0 in., while beams with depths greater than 12-in. are drawn to a scale of -in. = 1 ft-0 in. Larger scales may be required for small beams or for beams with complicated details. The choice of scale for these types of beams depends on the good judgment of the steel detailer. The system of scaling given is applicable only for beam depth and to detail fittings, cuts, copes, etc. The overall length of the beam may be shortened to have sufficient space to show all the details that are approximately drawn to scale if possible without crowding in the sheet. To make a clear view of the details, very small distances are exaggerated in the drawing. The manner of arranging the dimensions in the drawing must be appropriate and convenient to all persons concerned. Avoid crowding of dimensions, and as much as possible, cross the fewest number of other lines. Overall dimensions and long dimensions should be placed as far (from other dimensions) away as possible from the views to which they apply. Dimensions should be given to the centerlines of the beams, to backs of angles and sometimes, to backs of channels. The vertical dimension of beams and channels can be placed at the top or bottom regions, depending which part is critical, but not to both. Dimensions to edges of flanges of structural shapes or to toes of angles are not usually given. Dimensions are required to be given with reference to any point in the steel and should not extend beyond the piece, except in special cases.

1.3. Steel Detailing 3D Softwares Technology has given us powerful computers and 3D softwares that when properly used by experienced detailers, dramatically increase the already break-neck speed of getting drawings to the shop for fabrication.

Time Saving Some of the most popular 3D softwares are Tekla Structures 3D Steel, BOCAD , SDS2, STRUCAD, 3D PROSTEEL, ADVANCE STEEL, ASTEEL, DETAILCAD and many others. However, these programs have limitations and are most effective only when completed by more experienced users. The required dimensions and scales for each of the items to be fabricated are not automatically produced by the softwares. Although these programs are user-friendly, flexible and are mostly compatible with machines produced in all parts of the world, we will find that there are variations in the standards used in every country. Thus, these 3D softwares are not programmed to do only one particular standard but will have to conform to different steel construction firms across the globe. The drawings that are produced by the softwares still have to be modified to NISD if the project is in the US, or to JIS if the project is in Japan. Fabricators and detailing firms are beginning to recognize the folly of asking two-year college graduates with minimal experience to manage such sophisticated software. The industry needs more educated people to manage these 3D programs. A talented and more experienced Filipino steel detailer, if equipped with powerful 3D detailing software, becomes a very competitive player in this field of steel detailing. Familiar with US codes, standards and design practices, firms and steel detailers send files, documents, instructions, and information via the internet. The communication tools of today increase the effectivity of overseas exchange much like a branch office nearby. The time zone difference is also advantageous for fast track projects as night time of the client may be daytime for the detailer. Schedules are thus compressed and overheads are minimized. In most cases, design instructions given at the end of a workday are transformed into finished documents during the night and returned to the client at the start of the next day. Expertise Steel detailers maximize their expertise in the field of construction as they undergo continuous training programs for various CAD and detailing softwares. They work hand in hand with educated and licensed architects who have experience in delivering projects globally. The familiarity of the steel detailers with the local practices added to knowledge of architects with the international standards result in projects with utmost quality.

1.5. Manpower Resource In the United States, most structural steel detailers are graduates of two-year college courses in steel detailing. Others were developed from apprenticeships of large steel fabrication companies and have undergone in-house detailing training. Their numbers have been reduced considerably in the last few years. Below is an article from the magazine Modern Steel Construction written by J. Russell Sutton, President of Ferguson Steel Co. Inc., in Indianapolis, U.S.A. regarding the present situation of steel detailers in the U.S. : Detailer Availability Declining The average age of a structural steel detailer in the U.S. is 55 years-an already small work force on an unrelenting march toward retirement. Although a younger generation of detailers is in place, their average age is 40-45 years and their ranks are alarmingly thin. How did we arrive at this precarious position? Our manpower dilemma is not a recent phenomenon. Fifteen years ago the shortage of detailers was beginning to have a negative impact on the industry. In response, many fabricators extended pay increase to skilled detailers and started new ones out at a slightly higher wage to attract them. While this strategy placated older workers and attracted the new generation of detailers mentioned earlier, it did not bring sufficient numbers into the employee pipeline.

1.4. Outsourcing Outsourcing is the process by which a company contracts a job with another company. An evident effect of globalization is the widening of opportunities across the different industries. The advent of internet has paved way for various IT enabled services to reach the different parts of the world. International firms lean towards outsourcing for reasons such as cost saving, time saving, and expertise.

Cost Saving The Philippines is considered to be the third largest Englishspeaking country in the world. With a young population and more than 90% literacy, its greatest asset is its people. It has a smart, highly-skilled, talented work-force. This strength, combined with cost competitive salaries, reliable infrastructure, and business-friendly policies, makes it the outsourcing destination for some of the world's largest and best known firms. Noticeably, the same quality of detailing work is provided at a much lower cost from the Philippines.

Complicating matters was the widespread adoption of computerized technology that, while improving quality and increasing productivity of shop drawings, also masked an escalating personnel problem. Nationally, production levels of fabricated steel were increasing using the same-or fewernumber of steel detailers. Meanwhile, a valuable farm team system was slowly disappearing. As recent as thirty years ago, large steel manufacturers provided apprenticeships in which man budding detailers received on-job-training. Today, those mills have consolidated-in some cases failed-and such training has all but disappeared. Still, few fabricators today give serious consideration to the industrys future work force requirements. The number of qualified job candidates continues to decline as a onceabundant employee pipeline slows to a trickle. Industry Practices Partially to Blame

training for steel detailing and also for the use of their software. The declining availability of steel detailers in the Philippines is not only due to lack of young people coming into the workforce, but also due to detailers leaving for better opportunities in the more developed countries. Outsourcing has also been successful for the steel detailing industry so that there is a growing need for more fullytrained steel detailers in the country. ESCA, Inc. an engineering consulting firm, started its detailer training program patterned after the AISC/NISD of the U. S. These training programs are available online. In addition to steel detailing, other subjects include Structural Design, Civil Design, Design Softwares Application, Bridge Design, and others.

1.7. Conclusion Clearly, we must develop another new generation of steel detailers. But there are thorny fiscal matters to be considered. Many managers, hobbled by shrinking profits and tight budgets, often ignore job-training funding requests. For many fabricators it is financially prohibitive to hire graduates of a two-year AutoCAD program who, because of elementary skills, require four or five years of additional training. And experienced employees often must devote valuable time in an already demanding workday to guide these new hires. Trainees typically do not receive full detailer pay until they become profitable for the company, which often leads to negative impressions of our industry. And we are guilty of raiding our own talent. Fabricators often exacerbate the work force dilemma when they pluck skilled detailers out of their engineering departments, turn them into estimators and project managers, and then replace them with employees of lesser capability-or not at all. Education is one of the key factors in the current favorable conditions of the Philippine steel detailing industry. With the learning system patterned after the U. S., the graduates of local schools have been developed to address the needs of western countries. The mere proficiency of college graduates in English has become a powerful tool for the competency of Philippine professionals. Moreover, the minimum requirement of Philippine construction firms for college graduates has significantly increased the expertise of the steel detailing core. While other countries train high school students to become steel detailers, the Philippines offers the experience of a four-year college graduate of Civil Engineering or Architecture. In addition, the complexity of current 3D software programs necessitates the involvement of the more educated Philippine steel detailers. Coupled with good training programs, the Philippine detailer becomes a very formidable competitive player in the global economy.

1.6 Detailer Training 2. ACKNOWLEDGMENT In response to the declining availability of steel detailers, the NISD (National Institute of Steel Detailing) developed Detailer Training programs in the U. S. These include a series of CDs of the book Detailing for Steel Construction. Students who have worked under these programs also receive a certification of completion, and those with three years detailing experience received the NISD detailers certification I. D. In the Philippines, detailer training is mostly done in-house of steel fabrication companies and most detailing firms. The distributors of 3D steel Detailing softwares like Tekla Structures, Advance Steel, Bocad, and others provide In time-honored fashion, I would like to extend my appreciation to Ernesto S. de Castro, PhD. for the continuous guidance and support in the accomplishment of this paper.

3. REFERENCES American Institute of Steel Construction Inc. (2008). Structural Steel: The Material of Choice. Retrieved May 29, 2008, from http://www.aisc.org

10

National Institute of Steel Detailing. (n.d.). Retrieved May 29, 2008, from http://www.nisd.org American Institute of Steel Construction Inc., National Institute of Steel Detailing (2002). Detailing for steel construction: 2nd edition, U. S. A. Sutton, K. R. (2002, March 3). Does anyone want to be a detailer? Modern Steel Construction. Retrieved May 29, 2008, from http://www.modernsteel.com/Uploads/Issues/March_20 02/2002_03_03_detailer.pdf CAD outsourcing, architectural drafting services, steel detailing, GIS mapping services. (n.d.). Retrieved May 29, 2008, from http://www.rempaqcad.com What is outsourcing? (n.d.). Retrieved May 29, 2008, from http://www.calibertechsolutions.com/brochure.asp

11