I mentioned in another thread that I have been volunteered to help a good friend of mine weld up his new shop building. I'll be the first to say that I'm not an expert in this field, but have been involved in a handful of steel "barn raising" if you will. I'm going to go through the process that I normally use and see what you think about it. After you agree, disagree, or meerly gasp, I'd appreciate any suggestions, cautions, or other words of wisdom on the process.
The project at hand is a 30'X50'X10' on concrete slab. I think these are the material specs, if not they're close: 4"X4"X1/4" uprights on 10' centers. 2"X4" engineered, prefabed trusses (spanning 30'). Probably be a bolt down instead of a weld plate system. One 10'X10' door in one of the gable ends, and one or two walk doors at variouse points.
I start by using the laser to check the pad and see just how level it actually is. I level the work from the highest point. If it's within a 1/4" I'll just shim the base plates, if more than that, then compensate the length of the upright when cutting it.
Layout the first truss and uprights on the slab and heavy tack weld them together. Using either a skytrack or a heavy manlift, suspend the truss/upright assembly over it's location and set it in place. From there square/plumb the assembly with rachets, cables, comealongs, chains, turnbuckles or whatever else that is suitable to the situation. Once in place and plumb/square finish weld and finish anchoring to the slab.
Leave assembly one secured with cables and set assembly two. Once assembly two is up, tie the two together for safety and stability. Continue on from there with the remaining truss/upright assemblies.
In the past, I've plated the top of the uprights and welded the truss to that. I've also seen where guys have left the uprights a few inches long and cut a saddle into it for the truss to sit in. Is either one better/worse or is there a better way than that? On the intieror trusses, I typically put a small angle brace from the upright to the span of the truss just to add some deminsional stability for wind load.
From there, it's just purlins and hanging sheet (which is always fun in the Oklahoma wind!!), but my part will be over by then. All I'm going to really be involved with is hanging the steel.
Anyway, just looking for thoughts on the subject.
SSS
The project at hand is a 30'X50'X10' on concrete slab. I think these are the material specs, if not they're close: 4"X4"X1/4" uprights on 10' centers. 2"X4" engineered, prefabed trusses (spanning 30'). Probably be a bolt down instead of a weld plate system. One 10'X10' door in one of the gable ends, and one or two walk doors at variouse points.
I start by using the laser to check the pad and see just how level it actually is. I level the work from the highest point. If it's within a 1/4" I'll just shim the base plates, if more than that, then compensate the length of the upright when cutting it.
Layout the first truss and uprights on the slab and heavy tack weld them together. Using either a skytrack or a heavy manlift, suspend the truss/upright assembly over it's location and set it in place. From there square/plumb the assembly with rachets, cables, comealongs, chains, turnbuckles or whatever else that is suitable to the situation. Once in place and plumb/square finish weld and finish anchoring to the slab.
Leave assembly one secured with cables and set assembly two. Once assembly two is up, tie the two together for safety and stability. Continue on from there with the remaining truss/upright assemblies.
In the past, I've plated the top of the uprights and welded the truss to that. I've also seen where guys have left the uprights a few inches long and cut a saddle into it for the truss to sit in. Is either one better/worse or is there a better way than that? On the intieror trusses, I typically put a small angle brace from the upright to the span of the truss just to add some deminsional stability for wind load.
From there, it's just purlins and hanging sheet (which is always fun in the Oklahoma wind!!), but my part will be over by then. All I'm going to really be involved with is hanging the steel.
Anyway, just looking for thoughts on the subject.
SSS
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