Shop drawing, also referred to as fabrication drawing, is a detailed and comprehensive plan that translates the design intent into the technical specifications required by fabricators for the production, assembly, and installation of all the components of a structure.
These drawings provide fabricators with vital information such as required materials, dimensions, and specific instructions for the proper assembly, installation, and erection of the components. Typically, engineers, steel detailers, steel modelers, and fabricators are responsible for creating these drawings.
Shop drawing usually contains detailed information, including dimensions, connection details, fabrication standards, installation and erection instructions, on-site verification dimensions, comparisons with the construction documents to facilitate approval by the architect or engineer, and notes on any changes from the original construction documents to enable approval by the architect or engineer.
Difference between the two: Design drawings and shop drawings are both vital for the successful completion of various construction projects, including industrial, commercial, and bridge developments. While they are sometimes mistaken for the same thing, they each serve a unique and important purpose in the construction process.
Design drawings are utilized in the early stages of design to convey design concepts and proposals. On the other hand, shop drawings provide fabricators with the necessary details for the manufacturing, assembly, installation, and erection of the structure, including information about materials, welding, and connections.
Importance of Shop Drawings:
The creation of precise and accurate structural steel fabrication drawings is crucial for ensuring seamless communication between the architect or designer, the client, and the fabricator.
These detailed drawings serve as a critical tool for clarifying the requirements of the design and the expectations of the client.
- By providing a clear and concise illustration of the specifications, materials, and dimensions required for each component of the structure, shop drawing helps to ensure that the fabrication process flows seamlessly without any interruptions or delays.
- Moreover, fabrication drawings help to expedite the timeline of construction by enabling the fabricator to proceed with the manufacturing process without having to halt or pause production to confirm missing details or dimensions. This, in turn, can reduce the overall time required for fabrication, installation, and completion of the project, which can be highly beneficial for projects with tight timelines.
- In addition, fabrication drawings provide the fabricator with sufficient detail to ensure that steel elements are structurally sound and adhere to all necessary safety, quality, and project standards. The detailed information contained in these drawings enables the fabricator to verify the accuracy and quality of the materials, processes, and workmanship involved in the fabrication process.
- Perhaps most importantly, accurate fabrication drawings can help to reduce or even eliminate the need for rework during the construction process. By identifying and resolving issues and clashes early on in the process, unnecessary expenditure on additional labor and materials can be avoided.
Transferring design drawings into shop drawings: In recent times, the pressure on engineers and budget cuts have resulted in a decrease in the quality of design deliverables. It is not enough to simply transfer design drawings to shop drawings by inputting dimensions; a high level of expertise and information is required to accurately translate design intent.
Therefore, it is crucial to have a team of experts with technical expertise who can bring a project concept to life. Steel detailers need to be able to create a 3D model from design drawings, identify and rectify issues and clashes, and generate highly precise 2D shop drawings that ensure superior quality fabrication.
Design drawings and shop drawings both play critical roles in the lifecycle of steelwork, whether for a bridge, stadium, tank, or pipework. Design drawings enable an architect or engineer to communicate their vision for a project, while shop drawings provide detailed instructions and specifications necessary for fabricators to produce structurally sound, precise steelwork. The ability to accurately translate design drawings into shop drawings requires vast skill and expertise.