Foreword
BY THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE BRITISH CONSTRUCTIONAL STEELWORK ASSOCIATION
The first volume of Steel Detailers’ Manual by Alan Hay-
ward and Frank Weare was published in 1989. It was written
as an education tool and to advance the knowledge of all
those who may become involved with steel in construction
by giving guidance on, what was then, a much neglected
aspect - that of detailing. The Authors rightly recognised
that the viability and feasibility of steel structures relies on
practical details which allow economical fabrication and
safe erection.
This second edition i s necessitated, as explained by the
Authors in the Preface, by the extensive developments in
steel construction which have taken place over the last
decade, and by developments in the UK and European
fabrication industry including the use of fully automated
techniques and processes.
The aim of the first edition has been continued, which is t o
give the steelwork designer and detailer such information
as i s required to generate a complete and sufficient
structure that can be manufactured and constructed effi-
ciently and economically, and that will operate satisfac-
torily for i t s entire design life. For example, the importance
of appreciating and accommodating tolerances so as to
avoid unnecessary site rectification i s addressed. The
examples of ‘do’s and don’ts’ are also a useful way of
informing detailers of pitfalls that cause problems and
delays. Revised UK standards and new European codes on
materials, design and construction have important impli-
cations for design, detailing, and fabrication. This second
edition has attempted to cover the significant changes
brought about by these new requirements. Much of the
discrete data i s available elsewhere, but the Authors have
drawn the detailing information together and provided it in
one volume.
The use of structural steel for building frames has continued
to show dramatic gains in market share compared with other
materials during the past 10-1 5 years. Clients, purchasers,
designers and architects alike have recognised the distinct
advantages of using steel as the primary structure. The
ability of steel to achieve a rapidly executed secure frame-
work with flexibility for future use continues to be a prin-
cipal benefit. Coupled with the important developments in
computer aided design and detailing, steel now has the
added advantage that all parties in the construction pro-
cess can provide assured input to the development of the
structure, thereby producing substantial cost savings and
the achievement of an efficient and safe building.
The Authors have faced a difficult task in carrying out these
revisions but have successfully communicated in this book
the important features of effective and practical detailing
of steel structures.
Derek Tordoff
Director General
British Constructional Steelwork Association
May 2001