Learn about our steel detailing service

An Australian team of professional steel detailers

Steel detailing
drawing service

  • All work completed locally
  • Latest 3D modelling techniques
  • All documentation types
  • 2D & 3D Drawing or Modelling
  • Fixed price quotations
  • Commercial or residential

D & DK Steel Detailing specialises in the preparation of detailed shop drawings for the manufacture of steel frameworks used in the construction of buildings, extensions, handrails, balustrades and other steel structures. Typically the drawings produced are used by a steel fabricator. We can also do steel drafting if you require this.

With close to 40 years of combined experience we can quickly extract the right information needed by steel fabricators from the structural engineering drawings provided. The structural shop drawings that we produce will show material sizes and dimensions (for beams, purlins, girts, columns, trusses etc.) supported with extensive part and assembly lists delivering all the required information ready to provide a local steel fabricator to begin production.

We work directly with architects, engineers or builders who will calculate the required sizes and locations of the steel they need to make a required structure safe and strong. Using the provided plans we will create detailed drawings with exact dimensions and lengths for each individual steel component required.

The best way to produce fabricated steel members specifically suited to your structure is to have shop and erection drawings created by a structural steel detailer. Traditionally, these drawings were created by manual drafting methods using pencils, paper, and drafting tools like a parallel bar, drafting machine, triangle templates & even mathematical tables. D & DK combines traditional methods & understanding with the latest digital 3D modelling techniques using Tekla 3D Structural Steel Detailing and Fabrication Management Software.

We are one of Australia’s leading steel detailing companies that have played an important role helping hundreds of construction projects to be finished on time. We make it easy because of our familiarity with all the relevant regulations and guidelines for all aspects of Australia construction. It means we can make even the most complex project very feasible for any fabricator to produce. 

See examples of our steel detailing documentation

Take a look at some of the previous projects we have produced steel detailing documentation for.

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Steel detailing drawings produced with strict quality control

Work directly with experienced Australians

We pride ourselves on our ability to deliver drawings with absolute accuracy and completeness. Every structural steel detailing drawing we produce is subjected to a thorough review process to ensure precision and compliance with the construction details provided and dimensional layout. Nothing leaves our office without a secondary pass before being delivered to a client for fabrication.

Construction plans ready to be translated by a Steel Detailer

Fabrication shop drawings

These are also called detail drawings and used to specify the exact requirements for fabricating each individual member (or assembly) of a structure that are used by a steel fabricator to fabricate each piece.

Complete shop drawings show material specifications, member sizes, all required dimensions, welding, bolting, surface preparation and painting requirements, and any other information required to describe each required member.

The shop drawings are intended for use by the fabrication shop, and thus contain little or no information about the erection and installation of the steel members they depict; this information belongs in the erection drawings.

A blueprint and basic floor plan of a commercial office to be built in Australia

Erection drawings

This type of steel detailing drawing is used to guide the steel erector on the construction site as to where and how to erect the fabricated steel members.

These drawings usually show dimensioned plans to locate the steel members, often also showing details with specific information or requirements that includes all the work that must be done on site (such as bolting, welding or installing masonry anchors).

Since the erection drawings are intended for use in the field, they contain very little specific information about the fabrication of any individual steel member; members should already be completed by the time the erection drawings are used.

Sydney Steel Detailer working with a builder to decide on changes to a construction project

Structural Steel drawings

These drawings are a crucial part of the building process and demand precise measurements. Structural steel detailers collaborate with the other designers on a project.

We will examine the architect's frame designs and the engineer's safety measurements to determine the exact dimensions of each part that is to be used by welders and installers on the site.

We can deliver both erection and shop drawings for various types of jobs, specifying the details of each component to be made by the steel fabricator and where they need to be placed by the installer to complete a construction project. Everything is created to Australian standards.

For every steel detailing project we also provide you with all the necessary lists; 

  • Material Ordering Lists
  • Bolt Ordering Lists
  • Project Part Lists
  • Field Bolt Lists
  • Transmittal Drawing register
All of our drawings are co-ordinated with architectural and engineering documents.
  • All drawings, details & sections appropriately cross-referenced.
  • Steelwork general notes that are complete, relevant & concise.
  • Areas of different surface treatment to steelwork clearly identified.
  • All member sizes and orientations specified.
  • HD Bolt details (embedment length, ligs, cog length etc)
  • Top of footing reduced levels clearly shown.
  • Steel connections nominated as AISC standardised structural connections.
  • All non-standard connections detailed.
  • Bracing work points and allowable offsets.
  • All purlin & girt details provided to suit specified cladding
  • Beams and rafters requiring pre-cambering clearly identified.
  • Masonry anchors, grout & packers specified for interface with concrete.
  • All secondary structural steelwork described.
  • Structural members for architectural requirements clearly indicated.
  • Cladding edge trimming specified.
Steel fabricator making steel beams using D and DK steel detailing plans

Steel detailing shop drawings for steel fabricators

Documentation to enable fast production

For steel fabricators that specialise in working with structural steel for construction project frameworks, we can provide all the necessary shop drawings you require. We have worked with a number of leading steel fabricators over the years to produce all the information required that made it easy for them to cut and weld all the necessary members such as H beams or Universal beams.

For hundreds of projects, we have used our specialist structural drafting expertise to correctly interpret architectural and structural engineering drawings. Building this deep understanding has given us the vision to fully comprehend the design intent of various buildings or structures that has made construction effortless & efficient.

We always provide a set of clear, unequivocal and accurate drawings to facilitate steelwork fabrication, installation and erection – this has been done for new constructions, extensions or renovations.

A steel detailer for builders, engineers & architects

Work directly with experienced Australians

SEE OUR WORK
Steel framework installed that was fabricated using D and DK Steel Detailing drawings 1 of 4

D & DK has an enviable reputation for delivering efficient engagement between all the stakeholders involved in residential or commercial construction projects. Once an architect has designed the look of a structure and an engineer or builder has calculated the required sizes with locations of the steel the D & DK Steel Detailing team can be engaged to create the detailed drawings needed to complete the project.

With our extensive experienc working on both residential and commercial building sites we know exactly how to make sure every stakeholder is kept informed & receives the exact information they require. We strive to achieve 99.9% accuracy on every drawing we produce as we understand that even a tiny error can lead to the loss of valuable construction time and money in labour costs or materials.

We know how important the mandatory process of structural steel detailing is for all types of manufacturing and construction activities, such as the erection of residential and commercial buildings or factories. We make it easy for each professional to deliver high levels of accuracy for each stage of a project.

We spend the required time to specify every miniscule detail of an individual steel piece or component (columns, beams, joists, trusses, braces etc.) that needs to be made by a steel fabricator including material specifications, component sizes and dimensions, surface specs, welding, bolting and painting details.

D and DK Steel Detailing using Tekla software to produce required 3D model and documentation

How do we produce our steel detailing drawings?

Tekla Logo

D & DK do not use manual drafting techniques, instead we only offer state of the art computer-aided drafting (CAD) outputs. All the drawings that we create are produced on a computer to deliver incredible detail and precision. This makes the production process extremely efficient, minimises errors, enables sharing to facilitate BIM processes & can easily be printed when required.

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Using the latest computer aided drafting software means we can;

  • Reduce & avoid detailing errors
  • Minimise the need for rework in fabrication or construction
  • Manage changes in a 3D model that can save time vs manual drawing
  • Avoid human errors with drawings and reports generated from the 3D model
  • Use an interactive 3D model to plan fabrication and erection processes
  • Enhance communication and coordination with other departments including facilitating BIM services

All of the information from the site is manually entered so that a 3D model is produced before any of the detailed shop drawings are created. The benefit of this is that changes can be made without needing to re-draw everything manually. Tekla’s intelligent 3D modelling software increases efficiency from design through to fabrication and installation. 

It means that shop or erection drawings can be produced for all stages of a project that can help manage manufacturing data, production, delivery schedules, and schedule tasks on site or multi vendor collaboration.

What steel detailing drawing types can we produce?

SPECIALITY STEEL DETAILING FOR STAIRS, HANDRAILS AND PLATFORMS
Whether it be standard RHS stringers, custom PFC or a mono stringer we can produce fabrication drawings for steel stairs, handrails and platforms. We are experienced at steel detailing, webforge, monowills or custom hand railing and platform systems.

MEMBER ASSEMBLY DRAWINGS
These show the main shape plus all fitments (plates and shapes) welded to it. It is fully dimensioned for the placement of all steel items and it will have direction indicators (i.e.Top & North). The material list will also show any bolts required to erect it into position.

HANDRAIL ASSEMBLY DRAWINGS
This combines all of the different “Webforge” items including Specific Stanchion types, Angle Closure Bends (ACB) or Horizontal Closure Bends (HCB), top and mid rails plus any bolts for site bolting etc and arranges them into an assembly for ease of fabrication. Non Webforge handrails can be similarly detailed.

FLOORPLATE AND GRATING EXTENT DRAWINGS
This will show the extents and any cutouts plus any kick plates if they’re welded to the floorplate or grating assembly. We provide the extent drawings as different manufacturers within Australia and overseas will have different minimum width specifications.

HOLD DOWN BOLT LAYOUT AND DETAILS
 This shows all the different types and quantities of HD Bolt group sets and their exact location and RL for placement.

PLATE AND SHAPE COMPONENT DRAWINGS
 This includes all Flat or Plate Steel and all Hot Rolled Steel shapes including UB, UC, PFC, EA, RHS, and CHS etc.

PURLIN, GIRT AND BRIDGING DETAILS
 This shows punched hole locations for the purlin manufacturer.’’

MARKING PLANS
 A steel marking plan will show all steel members to be positioned. It will also have a North point for steel orientation. Marking plans are also provided for sections through assembled steelwork (generally on a grid pattern), purlin plans, girt elevations, Chemset or Trubolt elevations and wherever necessary to enable the ease of placement.

ASK US ANY QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions

The D & DK team has a laser-like focus on delivering detailing services that enable steel construction projects in Australia. Fabricators, engineers, architects and general contractors use our drafting experience to get the best out of the latest computer aided detailing software tools to ensure that all of our outputs can be used immediately. The team has a range of skills that provide you with a trained eye to pick up details, potential hotspots, clashes or potential construction problems before they occur.

Using the latest 3D modelling technology we can make sure that either printed or computer-originated plans can be used to troubleshoot challenges while they are still on the drawing board rather than as built existing conditions.

Steel detailers make detailed shop or fabrication drawings that a steel fabricator or welder uses to manufacture girders, beams, columns, stairways and other steel components of buildings and structures. They can ensure the design solution satisfies the project’s objectives while providing all the necessary documentation that an architect, engineer, builder or property owner requires to build accurately and avoid building variations.
Steel structure detailing describes the production of shop drawings for a steel fabricator or other stakeholders. The drawings have to be sufficient enough to enable a steel fabricator to cut and weld all the necessary members together to complete a construction of a building or renovation.
A steel detailer is sometimes referred to as a building detailer and their role is to interpret architectural and structural engineering drawings so build a thorough working knowledge of the design intent of a building or structure. Using that knowledge they produce drawings of all the required steel elements to facilitate construction to meet the design, safety and regulatory requirements.

D & DK Steel Detailing chooses to use Tekla’s range of software solutions that have been specifically developed for the structural steel detailer and fabricator industry sectors. This software enables us to create a detailed 3D model of any type of steel structure whether that is a residential property, industrial, commercial or large site like a high rise building.

It means we are able to provide services to support the entire steel workflow from engineering design, detailing and fabrication management all the way to site operations. Working with a 3D model can minimise costly building variations, reworks & can shorten building or construction times with precise, accurate drawings and materials production.

Using Tekla’s software is the most productive way to manage any fabrication process, including design and detailing to deliver a project error free and on time. Our team uses the software’s parametric modelling and clash check / fix features to produce detailed drawings for all stages. Depending on your requirements, it means we can deliver manufacturing data, help to manage production and delivery schedules, produce 4D visualization and schedule tasks on site.

With precise 3D renderings and walkthroughs, detailers can help architects to accurately illustrate and communicate design concepts to clients and other project stakeholders. These visualizations can even incorporate lifelike textures and details like light and shadows, so that clients can see the space from every possible angle and get a feel for elements like size and layout, expediting approvals.

With the changes to computer aided 3D modelling there are so many new digital workflows available and this has broadened the benefits of using a steel detailer in recent years. Traditionally, a steel detailer occupied quite a narrow role within the construction cycle, wedged between the engineer and the fabricator. However, with rapid advancements in technology and construction methodology, steel detailers are now able to be involved across the whole lifecycle of a construction project, including Building Information Management services.

A detailer can be heavily involved in every stage of a construction cycle, from planning and design to construction and maintenance. As such, steel detailers collaborate closely with several project stakeholders, from architects and engineers, through to general contractors, fabricators and even asset owners or installers.

D & DK can create detailed structural steel drawings to ensure the accuracy, erectability and constructibility of structural steelwork that helps to avoid unnecessary shop and field rework or project delays. By working closely with architects during the planning and design phase of the construction cycle a detailer can help architects validate and visualize design concepts. This ensures that mistakes, miscommunications and other clashes are mitigated early on in the construction lifecycle, preventing unnecessary rework, extended timeframes and additional labor.

A steel detailer can remove any of the confusion between the engineering and fabrication cycles. Steel detailers translate design intent into constructible shop drawings. These structural steel drawings contain all the information required to fabricate steelwork that is highly accurate and practical to manufacture. Steel detailing also helps resolve engineering design conflicts, particularly in critical areas such as connections and joints, supporting structures and facades, as well as mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire services.

Using the latest 3D modelling techniques, D & DK can create 2D technical drawings that are automated from the models to increase productivity, reduce human error, and compress project delivery timeframes. This process can make sure all steelwork is easy to assemble, install and erect. Steelwork that is precise and exact to the millimeter, particularly regarding connection design can eliminate expensive reworks, or even complete replacement. It also means that project delays or even complete site shutdowns are avoided.

Using detailed and data rich 3D models, steel detailers are able to generate highly detailed structural steel drawings that enable fabricators to utilize techniques such as prefabrication and modular construction. By designing, detailing and building offsite in a controlled environment, fabricators are able to reduce waste, as well as costs associated with labor and materials, while increasing efficiency.

All of the information required is built into a computer aided design 3D model that is then used to produce traditional 2D documentation & item lists that can be used by stakeholders to execute a project. This also means that every element of a construction has documentation available that can be used for maintenance and asset management. This can be particularly useful during refurbishments or redevelopments.

This software technology also improves site safety by coordinating field tasks remotely, and implementing virtual walkthroughs of plants, facilities and mine sites for training purposes and fast, safe problem resolution. The use of virtual reality technology to animate and rehearse shutdown and maintenance procedures remotely improves site and employee safety.

D & DK Steel Detailing can support the Building Information Modelling (BIM) process by using our project management expertise together with Tekla’s industry leading BIM software. We can help coordinate design, detailing, fabrication and site operations for a more efficient workflow.

This type of integration of BIM and fabrication management information system (MIS) provides intelligent and well organized information for the entire workflow including real time fabrication management, data for CNC processing, material handling and can even enable robotic assembly & welding.

We can create detailed as-built, existing site condition, models where every structure is visualised with full details that enables things like clash detection. You can also cross reference with other models from different disciplines such as MEP or plant design.Drawings, reports, and CNC data can be automatically created from your 3D model whenever required. Easily share any data using Trimble Connect.

There are many benefits including;

  • Work with an as-built 3D structure
  • Create your structure with accurate, intelligent connections that adapt automatically to varying and changing situations
  • Work with all kinds of projects regardless of the size and complexity
  • Your constructible model contains everything needed for fabrication and construction, including connections, bolts and welds
  • Create all drawings, reports and fabrication data automatically from the model
  • Generate fabrication and erection drawings with all relevant details
  • Create bills of materials, schedules and other reports automatically
  • Interface with all the leading software for analysis & design, plant modeling and MEP using proprietary and standard formats including IFC, DXF, DWG and DGN
  • All drawings are automatically updated if and when the model is changed. This ensures fully accurate and up to date information is always at hand.

There are a number of computer aided design software platforms that can produce steel detailing drawings. Like many industries there isn’t a single one that is ‘the best’ as each company will use their preferred choice based on the specialisation of their service and what team members were trained to use.

D & DK have chosen to use Tekla CAD which is cutting edge design software also used around the world hundreds of leading drafting companies. Other platforms include AutoCAD, Revit, Advance Steel or Solidworks.

When a civil engineer is tasked with creating a structure to be used by the public they will require detailed drawings to enable the production of the required steel members and their erection. A steel detailer facilitates this step of the construction process with detailed drawings and materials lists.

The responsibility for producing structural steel shop drawings will be a steel detailer. Although these will be commissioned by either an engineer, architect, builder or civil works contractor who are responsible for a construction project.

The purpose of shop drawings is to enable the design professional to secure graphic representations from the general contractor as to how the installing contractor intends to complete a portion of the work, prior to proceeding, for which submittals are required.

  • Typically there will be Shop Drawings made for two purposes;
    One is to provide the fabrication shop with the necessary information to produce the steel components and assemblies required to complete the project.
  • The second is erection drawings that provide the step by step details needed to build the structure using the materials that are fabricated.

The detailer prepares detailed plans, drawings and other documents for the manufacture and erection of steel members (columns, beams, braces, trusses, stairs, handrails, joists, metal decking, etc.) used in the construction of buildings, bridges, industrial plans, and nonbuilding structures.

Structural drafters typically draw technical drawings that plan out the structures that are to be built. These days structural drafters use computer-aided design, or CAD, to design 2D and 3D models of their work in order to create the required plans or drawings for the project.

Structural drafters produce technical drawings based on rough specifications, sketches, and calculations from various personnel in the field. This enables them to prepare drawings from multiple angles and elevations, creating detailed sketches where teams require & even interactive 3D models.