New Technology Makes Design of Steel Structures More Informed

In the traditional method of building projects, the design of steel structures is a stage in a linear process. Each major contributor to a project participates in their own area of expertise as the project progresses, which can sometimes cause a disconnect as a new contributor requires various adjustments and changes to be made.

From the contractor to the engineer, the consultant to the fabricator, the design of steel structures is informed by a variety of different people that each has expertise in their own area. While you could gather this team of experts around a light table to do daily collaboration on a project, the cost and time required would make it impossible.

The main flaw in this linear design building process is that it lacks an initial integration of the building and design stages and each of the contributing agents involved in the project. The result is that later in the process, problems and delays begin to emerge as each phase transitions to the next and conflicts are identified.

Now, new technology is achieving the same effect as the crowd gathered at the light table, exchanging ideas and collaborating on the ideal design and execution of the project. The building information model (BIM) uses an integrated approach to keep all key players involved in the building project from start to finish.

With the integrated BIM approach, the coordination begins at the initial consideration of the project by bringing all the various contributors to the virtual table to discuss the scope and requirements of the project. It’s a more efficient strategy in terms of time, and it allows the team to create coupled systems that work seamlessly together. Ultimately, the BIM process reduces instances of costly adjustments as the project progresses.

BIM uses a comprehensive 3-D file that all collaborators can use to make changes to the project. Like a spreadsheet or other document stored in the cloud, BIM allows multiple people to view and edit plans, creating a process for the design of steel structures that are integrated with each person’s contributions from the beginning.

The system also updates every aspect of the project as you work. For instance, if you add a wall to the design, the BIM will update the costs, timeline and the other aspects of the building project that are impacted, including considerations like the cost of the specific materials used in that wall.

When you choose an erector and fabricator for your steel building project, you want a company that’s utilizing the latest technology to save you money, avoid delays and reduce errors and accidents. At Midland Steel Company, we are committed to implementing updated tools and resources to provide our customers with the best possible project results. Call us today to talk about your next building project.

Midland Steel Participates in Completion of Exciting Atchison YMCA Building

After 145 years of enjoying exercise and community life at the Atchison YMCA, members and guests have a new place to work out and socialize. Midland Steel is proud to have been a part of completing the project at the new YMCA in Atchison.

The 30,000 square foot facility located at 321 Commercial Street offers a new building where members of the community can participate in exercise classes or join a personal enrichment class. Included in the building is a teaching kitchen, where students of all ages can learn cooking techniques and healthy eating habits.

The new building was made possible by funds from the City of Atchison in addition to donations from sponsors in the local community. The total cost of the renovation and updates was $11.3 million.

In addition to gifts from the city and local donors, the YMCA received another nice gift: a wellness pool donated by the Atchison Hospital. The pool provides a place for community members to receive aquatic therapy, which can be particularly helpful after surgery.

The facility offers an expansive health and wellness center, a kids’ zone that allows kids to play while their parents access services at the YMCA and a community room. The new building is designed to promote wellness across a variety of areas of life, including physical fitness and connecting with others in the community.

Midland Steel was happy to be involved in such a great local project designed to serve the needs of the community. A connection link was added, which is a steel structure providing a transition between the original facility and the new building. It was designed, fabricated and erected by Midland Steel.

Midland Steel enjoys the opportunity to be a part of projects like the Atchison YMCA, where we can play a role in building a healthy community. If you’re planning a building project, give Midland Steel a call. We can talk through your design and project considerations and see if Midland Steel is a good fit for your plans.

A Steel Structure Offers Resilience, Structural Integrity

Initiating a building project requires major decisions, including the choice of material for the structure. A steel structure offers a variety of important benefits that include resilience, wind and earthquake resistance and structural integrity. The choice of a steel structure is always economical, so take a look at the other reasons to use steel:

Resilience: Your steel structure will not crack, split, rot or warp and it will perform consistently over time. It does not expand or contract, and it retains its structural integrity.

Steel is also a good choice for blast-resistant applications, widely used in buildings that require special security or physical protection. A building using a steel frame is also resistant to progressive collapse.

Wind and Earthquake Resistance: Steel structures provide increased strength and ductility when compared with other building materials, offering resistance to natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes. Steel structures also feature a consistent load path when designed correctly, and every steel product produced must meet standard quality requirements.

Structural Integrity: A steel structure has the ability to withstand both manmade and natural challenges without disruption to its functions or its occupants. Steel is also durable, noncombustible and strong. Its homogeneous properties make it consistent and predictable for confidence in design.

Steel’s ductility makes it possible for the redistribution of forces when accommodating displacements caused by natural disasters or a manmade event. Steel adds structural integrity and strength when used in combination with other building materials, such as being used in concrete construction or as a connection point in a wood frame.

Steel also has standard connections, creating reliable fastening options such as welding, screws and bolts. In the event of an unanticipated tension force, steel provides additional load paths to absorb pressure.

When choosing your steel structure, here are a few items to keep in mind:

• Be sure that your steel fabricator and erector are certified by the American Institute of Steel Construction, which regulates quality, safety and skills.
• Don’t choose your steel company simply based on cost. Choosing a company that skimps on quality or rushes the job will cost you more in the long run.
• Look for a company that does both fabrication and erection in-house in order to streamline and prevent errors.

Midland Steel Company has been building steel structures in the Kansas City region for over four decades. Contact us to talk more about your project and experience the high level of quality that Midland Steel can contribute to your building.

A Steel Frame Building Offers Durability and Flexibility

When it comes to constructing in a residential area, a steel frame building may not be your first thought. After all, homes framed with wood have been the standard for so long that you may simply take it for granted that they should be wood-framed.

There are some good reasons however to break out of the mold and consider a steel frame building for construction of a residential building:

Faster construction time: Many of the parts and fittings for steel fabrication and erection are standard and pre-fabricated, so you’ll avoid delays and enjoy the satisfaction of quick construction.

Design possibilities: Don’t think of a steel frame building for a home in terms of what you see in industrial settings. Steel can be configured into any design you want for a home. While steel is still primarily used in commercial settings, many people are discovering the design flexibility that steel offers.

Affordable and sustainable: Steel is an affordable option for your residential building project. While the price of lumber often fluctuates and can significantly impact your project budget, the cost of steel has remained low for years. Pre-engineered parts also ensure ease of construction, which cuts costs for you.

In addition, a steel frame building is a good environmental choice. A home can be redesigned into a completely new structure using the same steel frame over and over again. Even when a building is demolished, the steel is fully recyclable.

Durability: A steel frame building is not susceptible to many of the problems that can occur with wood construction. From termites to mold, rotting and shrinking, there are a lot of problems that can be avoided when you choose steel. Also, because it’s a manufactured product, you won’t see splits or other defects that can come with lumber.

Single-source supply: When you choose a steel company that both fabricates and erects steel structures, you won’t wonder who you should call when you have questions. There’s a satisfying streamlining effect when you choose a steel frame building because there’s only one phone call to make when you need to know about your building project.

If you’re considering a steel frame building for a home or a commercial project, contact Midland Steel. We look forward to an opportunity to hear about your goals for the new structure and determine whether our company might be a good fit for your project.

A Steel Company With Expertise and Experience Will Give You the Best Results

When you’re looking for a steel company to partner with you on an upcoming project, you will inevitably encounter some options between union and non-union workers. For small business owners, this decision can be challenging, because you may be on a limited budget that doesn’t seem to support the wages that unions demand.

It’s also possible that as a business owner, you’ve heard that union labor isn’t a good deal because you must pay each worker the same amount, regardless of their performance. When you look a little more closely at a steel company that provides union labor, you will find their work is quality and that it actually costs your company less than other options.

Expertise: If you’re hiring a generalist, then union labor probably isn’t a good choice for you. If your project needs a worker with a specialist’s expertise, a union worker is ideal. They have in-depth knowledge and an ability to anticipate possible problems.

Experience: When you choose a union worker, you can be sure that they have extensive experience in the job they’re hired to do. Unions tend to be meticulous about their apprenticeship programs, so once a worker is on their own, they are fully up to speed and ready to do high-quality work.

Safety: If you have union workers on your site, you can be sure that they’re adhering to OSHA safety standards. After all, unions aren’t just about better wages for quality work. They’re also focused on the health and safety of workers, which means your project site will be safer. If union workers encounter a dangerous situation, they’ll shut down until it is resolved, instead of taking unnecessary risks.

Labor relations: If there’s a problem with a particular worker, union leaders and management handle it for you. You will not have to directly deal with a union worker that isn’t meeting expectations.

Public relations: If you hire a steel company that does not have union labor, you may need to prepare for some public relations concerns. If you’re a well-known company or if your company earned the job through a government agency, you may encounter some pushback from the community if you hire non-union laborers to do your steelwork.

When you want to hire a steel company committed to quality work and adherence to the highest quality and safety standards, choose Midland Steel. Give us a call to talk about your project and where Midland Steel Company can offer value and unparalleled quality.