At MR Engineering, we believe every great building starts with a strong backbone, the structural steel. Recently, our team was brought in to inspect the steel for a new mixed-use building. Our goal was simple: make sure everything matched the approved shop drawings and was built to last.
Why This Inspection Was Important
Structural steel is what keeps a building standing tall and safe for years to come. If something is off during construction, it is much easier and far less expensive to catch it early. That is why we reviewed the shop drawings, spent time on site inspecting the steel, and put together a clear report for the client with our findings and recommendations.
What We Saw on Site
We started by looking over existing records, past inspection reports, and photographs before heading to the site. Once there, we walked the structure, checking braces, beams, columns, and connections to see if everything was in place and lined up properly. This was a visual inspection only, so we did not measure bolt torque or weld sizes, but we carefully documented everything we saw with photos and notes.
One of the first things we noticed was some sagging in the metal deck between Gridlines 2 and 4. This was due to slight variations in the height of the steel beams, which made the deck sit unevenly. Along the northern wall, some joist-to-beam connections were missing bolts, which are essential for keeping everything secure. We also spotted a few cross bracings that were not fully welded, which could affect stability. On top of that, some welded areas had lost their zinc-rich primer coating during welding, and those spots had not been touched up, leaving them more vulnerable to rust over time.
How We Suggested Moving Forward
We recommended checking the steel beam elevations in the sagging area and correcting them so the deck sits evenly. All missing bolts at the northern wall should be installed exactly as shown in the shop drawings. The welding on cross bracings should be completed to improve stability, and the bare metal where primer was burned off should be cleaned and recoated to restore its protective finish.
Wrapping It Up
Overall, the steel was built in line with the approved drawings, but a few fixes will make sure the building performs well for years to come. We see inspections as more than a checklist. They are a way to protect your project’s schedule, budget, and safety.
If you have a build in progress and want to be confident your structure is ready for anything, get in touch with us today to book your inspection.
