Vertically Integrated Steel Design
Leveraging Steel Supply Chain
Data for Structural Optimization
PI: Martin Fischer
Staff: Forest Flager
Glenn Katz
Marc Ramsey
Students: Henry Hamamji
Pratyush Havelia
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Vertically Integrated Steel Design
Project Overview
Problem Addressed:
Conceptual
Design
CIFE TAC 2015
Design
Development
Detailed
Design / CD
/ CA
Copyright  2015
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Vertically Integrated Steel Design
Project Overview
Proposed Solution:
Conceptual
Design
CIFE TAC 2015
Design
Development
Detailed
Design / CD
/ CA
Copyright  2015
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Vertically Integrated Steel Design
MOTIVATING PROBLEM
Conventional Design Process
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Copyright  2015
Vertically Integrated Steel Design
Architectural Rendering
DESIGNER
system / layout
Typical Framing Plan
sizing
FABRICATOR /
ERECTOR
detailing
detailing + estimate
MILL
material cost + availability
SCHEMATIC
DEVELOPMENT
DETAILED
CONST. ADMIN.
DESIGN PHASE
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Vertically Integrated Steel Design
KEY
W14X233
W14X176
W14X132
W24X117
W18X86
Typical Framing Plan
DESIGNER
system / layout
Moment Frame Elevation
sizing
FABRICATOR /
ERECTOR
detailing
detailing + estimate
MILL
material cost + availability
SCHEMATIC
DEVELOPMENT
DETAILED
CONST. ADMIN.
DESIGN PHASE
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Vertically Integrated Steel Design
Continuity
Plate
Doubler Plate
Exterior Beam – Column Connection
DESIGNER
system / layout
Typical Framing Plan
sizing
FABRICATOR /
ERECTOR
Interior Beam – Column Connection
detailing
detailing + estimate
MILL
material cost + availability
SCHEMATIC
DEVELOPMENT
DETAILED
CONST. ADMIN.
DESIGN PHASE
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Vertically Integrated Steel Design
ArcelorMittal (W14X233)
Distance to site: 5725 miles
Gerdau (other sections)
Distance to site: 42 miles
Project Site
DESIGNER
system / layout
sizing
FABRICATOR /
ERECTOR
detailing
detailing + estimate
MILL
material cost + availability
SCHEMATIC
DEVELOPMENT
DETAILED
CONST. ADMIN.
DESIGN PHASE
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Copyright  2015
Vertically Integrated Steel Design
Feedback Latency:
8-24 wks
DESIGNER
system / layout
sizing
FABRICATOR /
ERECTOR
detailing
detailing + estimate
MILL
material cost + availability
SCHEMATIC
DEVELOPMENT
DETAILED
CONST. ADMIN.
DESIGN PHASE
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Copyright  2015
Vertically Integrated Steel Design
KEY
W14X233
W14X176
W14X132
W24X117
W18X86
Steel Weight
(met tns)
Total Cost
(M USD)
Schedule (wks)
Embodied
Carbon (t CO2e)
ORIGINAL DESIGN
W/ FABRICATOR INPUT
1412
1488 (+5%)
5.35
4.82 (-11%)
24
20 (-20%)
1298
1295 (-1%)
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Vertically Integrated Steel Design
Problem Summary
• Engineers do not have access to accurate cost,
schedule and environmental impact data when
making key design decisions:
– Late in the design process
– Long latency
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Vertically Integrated Steel Design
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Vertically Integrated Steel Design
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Vertically Integrated Steel Design
System Architecture
BIM
DESIGNER
system / layout
Website
FABRICATOR /
ERECTOR
MILL
unit cost and schedule
sizing
analysis
API Service
detailing + estimate
optimization
material cost + avail.
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Copyright  2015
Vertically Integrated Steel Design
Research Tasks
(1) Identify information requirements:
- member geometry, sizes
- connection fixity
BIM
DESIGNER
system / layout
Website
FABRICATOR /
ERECTOR
MILL
unit cost and schedule
sizing
analysis
API Service
detailing + estimate
optimization
material cost + avail.
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CIFE TAC 2015
Copyright  2015
Vertically Integrated Steel Design
Point(s) of Departure:
• SteelXML
Research Tasks:
(1) Identify information requirements
- unit cost
- unit schedule
BIM
DESIGNER
system / layout
Website
FABRICATOR /
ERECTOR
MILL
unit cost and schedule
sizing
analysis
API Service
detailing + estimate
optimization
material cost + avail.
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Vertically Integrated Steel Design
Research Tasks:
(2) Develop method to automate
detailing and cost, schedule and
carbon estimate
BIM
DESIGNER
system / layout
Website
FABRICATOR /
ERECTOR
MILL
unit cost and schedule
sizing
analysis
API Service
detailing + estimate
optimization
material cost + avail.
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Vertically Integrated Steel Design
Point(s) of Departure:
• 4D modeling
• Systems coordination / clash
detection
Research Tasks:
(3) Develop model-based
visualization methods
BIM
DESIGNER
system / layout
Website
FABRICATOR /
ERECTOR
MILL
unit cost and schedule
sizing
analysis
API Service
detailing + estimate
optimization
material cost + avail.
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Vertically Integrated Steel Design
Cost (USD)
Cost vs. Carbon Trade-off
Point(s) of Departure:
• Minimal material optimization
Research Tasks:
(4) Develop multi-objective
optimization methods
Schedule (wks)
BIM
DESIGNER
system / layout
Website
FABRICATOR /
ERECTOR
MILL
unit cost and schedule
sizing
analysis
API Service
detailing + estimate
optimization
material cost + avail.
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Vertically Integrated Steel Design
Research Validation
Model-based visualization methods
• Design charrettes with students and
professional engineers
Optimization methods
• Parallel and / or retrospective industry case
studies
METRICS
- solution quality
(e.g. cost, schedule, CO2e)
- design cycle duration
- total design cycles
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Vertically Integrated Steel Design
Schedule
Jun
2015
(1) Identify information requirements
Aug
2015
(2) Prototype of automation methods
Nov
2015
(3) Prototype of model-based viz methods
Jan
2016
(4) Prototype of optimization methods
Mar
2016
(5) Charrette and case study validation complete
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CIFE TAC 2015
Copyright  2015
Vertically Integrated Steel Design
Research Team
Forest Flager
Marc
Ramsey
Martin
Fischer
Glenn Katz
Henry
Hamamji
Patrick
Tierney
Pratyush
Havelia
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Vertically Integrated Steel Design
Value Proposition
Owners: higher quality, more reliable project delivery
Architects and Engineers: better performance data;
less rework
General Contractors: faster, more accurate sub
estimates
Fabricators + Erectors: demonstrate upstream
value; lower pursuit costs
Steel Industry: Differentiate from other materials
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Vertically Integrated Steel Design
Industry Partners
Software
• Web front end development
• Secure API backend development
• Product integration
Structural Engineering
• Prior steel models and pricing data set
• Beta software user
Steel Fabrication
• Cost modeling data and algorithms
• Fabrication cost input
Steel Erection
• Steel erection cost input
• Beta software user
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Vertically Integrated Steel Design
Why Now?
• Widespread BIM adoption
– BIM platforms in offices for visualization
– BIM documentation and exchange contractually
obligated
• Broadband saturation and decreasing cloud
infrastructure prices
• Emerging online markets for building
products (e.g., Amazon Supply, Alibaba)
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Vertically Integrated Steel Design
Broader Impact
REINFORCED CONCRETE
MECHANICAL ETC.
SYSTEMS PLUMBING SYSTEMS
CURTAIN
WALLS
If we can integrate the supply chain for
STRUCTURAL STEEL, why not…
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