Geotechnical, Structural & Civil engineering — Brisbane & Queensland
Shop Drawings Guide
Shop drawings turn a structural design into information the fabricator and steel fixer can build from. This guide explains steel and concrete shop drawings, connection detailing and drawing review.
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Errors on shop drawings become errors in steel and concrete — costly to fix once fabricated.
Our detailing is done by engineers, so connections and reinforcement are checked against the design intent, not only drawn. We use 3D models to coordinate members and generate general arrangement, assembly and part drawings.
Comparison
An overview only. Every entry below is described cautiously and is not an engineering limit; suitability is always confirmed against site-specific data.
| Drawing types | Best suited to | Key consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Steel shop drawings | Steel buildings, sheds, warehouses, platforms and mezzanines. | Prepared from a 3D model and the approved structural drawings. |
| Connection detailing | Steel frames where connections are not fully detailed in the design. | Connections checked to AS 4100 and the design loads. |
| Reinforcement & precast detailing | Slabs, footings, walls and precast elements. | Detailed to AS 3600 cover, lap and anchorage requirements. |
| Fabricator drawing review | Builders and fabricators needing engineer sign-off. | Checked against the design for sizes, connections and compliance. |
Drawing types
Drawings are prepared to suit your fabricator or builder.
Drawing type 01
General arrangements, member and assembly drawings, plates and bolts.
Steel buildings, sheds, warehouses, platforms and mezzanines.
Prepared from a 3D model and the approved structural drawings.
Approved structural design is needed first.
Drawing type 02
Base plates, anchor bolts, beam-column and bracing connections.
Steel frames where connections are not fully detailed in the design.
Connections checked to AS 4100 and the design loads.
Unusual connections may need extra design time.
Drawing type 03
Rebar layouts, bar bending schedules and precast panel details.
Slabs, footings, walls and precast elements.
Detailed to AS 3600 cover, lap and anchorage requirements.
Final quantities depend on approved drawings.
Drawing type 04
Engineering review of drawings prepared by others.
Builders and fabricators needing engineer sign-off.
Checked against the design for sizes, connections and compliance.
Review covers the drawings provided.
Selection considerations
These factors tend to narrow the options faster than any single test result. Every recommendation remains site-specific and subject to the available data.
Method
Scope is adjusted to the project, the risk and the information already available.