Planning ahead for temporary support

improves constructability and enhances safety in steel erection.

WHEN FIELD CONNECTIONS are bolted, holes already are
present so that the erector can safely pin and bolt the connec-
tion. When feld connections are welded, supported members
need to be correctly located and held in position until the entire
welded connection or a suffcient portion of the connection is
complete. Erection aids are needed for these welded connec-
tions to make steel erection safe, effcient and accurate. For each
particular case erection aids are individually selected and can be
erection bolts, temporary angle seats, erection lugs, etc. This
article will discuss their selection and show several examples.
Erection aid preferences may vary from area to area and from
company to company. When a fabricator works with the same
erector, over time they get to know each others expectations. If
a new erector is going to work on a project, it is always a good
idea to discuss erection aids prior to starting the work. In all cases
erection aids should comply with OSHA requirements.
It is important to remember that not all feld-welded struc-
tural elements require erection aids. Normally, there are small
items that are welded immediately and can be supported by other
means. For example, plates or angles can be temporarily clamped
to beam fanges. The erector also may choose to proceed without
erection aids if the removal of the aids and restoration of the sur-
faces would require a lot of extra work. The erector needs to plan
the temporary rigging or support system to safely align and hold
the member until the permanent connection is made.
Eliminating Erection Aids
When connections are fully or partially bolted, or shop assem-
blies are provided to eliminate feld-welded connections, erection
aids may not be needed. Also, simplifying or reconfguring connec-
tions can reduce or eliminate the need for erection aids. For exam-
ple, where a cantilever is required at the roof, making the beam con-
tinuous over the column will eliminate moment connections for the
cantilever and backing beam. Bolting the beam to the supporting
column entirely eliminates the need for erection aids for the cantile-
ver. This makes fabrication and erection easier and safer.
Using feld-bolted column splices in lieu of CJP groove welded
splices for moderate tensile forces and/or moments is another
way to reduce the need for erection aids. In this case, it will elimi-
nate eight shop-welded erection lugs per column splice.
The decisions on shop assemblies should be made based on
factors that include fabrication, transportation, erection, paint-
ing and fnal appearance. In most cases assembly weight and
overall dimensions determine whether or not to proceed with
shop assembly. The classic example is trusses. Shallow and short
trusses are shop welded; but deep and long trusses are delivered
in pieces or segments and assembled in the feld.
Deciding on Erection Aids
Because the erector actually erects the steel, he or she is
responsible for determining the type and strength of the aids.
The AISC Code of Standard Practice provides guidance regarding
this type of responsibility. This can be discussed at the precon-
struction meeting between the erector and the fabricator, then
coordinated with the EOR and the architect. The decisions
need to be made prior to proceeding with detailing.
Shop and erection drawings should show all erection aids and
necessary instructions for the erector. For example, if removal of
erection lugs is required at a CJP groove welded column splice
after its completion, that should be noted on the erection detail.
Late decisions will result in revisions of the drawings that are time
consuming and may delay detailing. Typically, the erector and the
fabricator work together to fnd the most effcient and easy way.
Why Erection Aids Need to be Coordinated with the EOR
Even erection aids mostly related to constructability and
safety can affect structural member design and they always
should be coordinated with the EOR. This can be done at the
preconstruction meeting, through the RFI system, or during
the approval process.
Here are two scenarios when erection aids may affect the
design:
1. Holes for erection bolts in a beams tension fange may
reduce the bending strength of the beam. For example,
OSHA holes for joist connections for continuous beams
can have such an effect.
2. An erection aid in a high-seismic project cannot be
welded in the protected zone as specifed in the AISC
Seismic Provisions.
MODERN STEEL CONSTRUCTION JANUARY 2012
Structural Steel
Erection Aids
BY VICTOR SHNEUR, P.E.
JANUARY 2012 MODERN STEEL CONSTRUCTION
Why to Coordinate with the Architect on Erection Aids
The architect typically reviews erection aids for:
1. Interference with other building components. For
example, erection lugs for a CJP groove welded column
splice may need to be removed because of interference
with column closure.
2. Overall appearance of the frame and connections in par-
ticular when structural steel is designated as architectur-
ally exposed structural steel.
Per Section 10.4.1 in the AISC Code of Standard Practice,
addressing architecturally exposed structural steel, If tempo-
rary braces or erection clips are used, care shall be taken to
avoid the creation of unsightly surfaces upon removal. Tack
welds shall be ground smooth and holes shall be flled with
weld metal or body solder and smoothed by grinding or fling.
The Erector shall plan and execute all operations in such a
manner that the close ft and neat appearance of the structure
will not be impaired.
Items to Consider When Erection Aids Are Specied
The selection of erection aids is an important decision
involving many factors including:
1. Safety.
2. Erection procedure.
3. Applied loads.
4. Stability.
5. Effect on supporting members.
6. Requirements for removal of the aids and fxing surfaces
after connection completion.
7. Tolerances.
8. Accessibility.
9. Erector and fabricator preferences.
10. Cost.
The fgures accompanying this article show a number of
examples of erection aids and options associated with them.
Victor Shneur, P.E., is the chief
engineer for LeJeune Steel Co.,
Minneapolis. He is a member of
the AISC Committee on Manu-
als and the Research Council on
Structural Connections (RCSC)
and its Specication Committee.

Figure 1: Wide-ange beam to concrete wall connection. Two

erection bolts are used as an erection aid. Long-slotted holes
are provided for difference in tolerances for concrete and steel
frame. Typically bolts are left in place. Note: Connection must
be designed for maximum adjustment.
Figure 2: HSS beam-to-HSS column connection. Erection
seat is provided. Oversized holes in the angle allow for toler-
ance. Because a eld weld is not required at the bottom of the
HSS 1010, the seat does not need to be removed unless it is
required by the architect or engineer.
Figure 3: HSS beam-to-HSS beam connection. Typically, erec-
tors prefer to have the seat angle at the bottom. For this par-
ticular case the bottom of the frame was exposed to view and
erection aids used at that location would need to be removed.
The erector suggested having erection aids at the top.

MODERN STEEL CONSTRUCTION JANUARY 2012

Special Cases
Special erection aids not needed for steel-to-steel connec-
tions are still required in some cases to facilitate construction.
For example:
Special Case 1: Lifting lugs or lifting plates may be required
to rig heavy structural members like trusses, plate girders, and
large columns. They are designed based on the weight of the
member and the lifting procedure. Complete information for
each, including location, size, pin holes, and welds, must be pro-
vided to the fabricator to detail on shop drawings. These details
need to be coordinated with the EOR and the architect if the
lugs are not to be removed. Coordination between the EOR and
the erectors own engineer, whether on staff or a consultant, is
important to verify that the concentrated loads during erection
will not overstress originally specifed welds and web.
Special Case 2: Embedded plates to formwork attachments.
This can be done by providing holes at the corners or tack weld-
ing nuts in the shop. While this looks like a small item, provid-
ing attachments for embedded plates will simplify the construc-
tion and can eliminate unnecessary work later on because of
mislocated plates.
Quality Control and Quality Assurance
Typically erection aids are provided only for temporary use to
facilitate handling and erection, but their Quality Control and Qual-
ity Assurance should be the same as for all other connections. In Part
14 of the AISC Manual the article Lifting Devices states: The
safety of the structure, equipment, and personnel is of utmost impor-
tance during the erection period. It is recommended that all welds
that are used on the lifting devices and stability devices be inspected
very carefully, both in the shop and later in the feld, for any damage
that may have occurred in handling and shipping. Groove welds fre-
quently are inspected with ultrasonic methods (UT) and fllet welds
are inspected with magnetic particle (MT) or liquid dye penetrant
(PT) methods.
Conclusion
The cost of erection aids is small for any project, but they
directly affect accuracy and effciency of erection and, more
importantly, the erectors safety. They need to be considered
at the beginning of each project and carefully planned by the
design and construction team.
The author would like to Lawrence A. Kloiber, P.E., and Mark D.
Ziegler for their comments and suggestions.
AISC offers a number of publications that include information on
this topic.
AISC 303-10, Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings and
Bridges, available as a free download at www.aisc.org/freepubs.
14th Edition AISC Steel Construction Manual, available for
purchase at www.aisc.org/manuals.
AISC 3rd Edition Detailing for Steel Construction, available
for purchase at www.aisc.org/manuals.
AISC Steel Design Guide 23: Constructability of Structural Steel
Buildings, available at www.aisc.org/dg as a free download for
AISC members and for purchase by others.

Figure 4: HSS column CJP groove welded splice. Erection

lugs are provided on four sides. This temporary connection
should have adequate strength and provide column stabil-
ity during erection until the CJP groove weld is complete.
See Column Alignment and Stability During Erection in
Part 14 of the AISC Manual for specic recommendations.
Note that erection lugs often are required to be removed at
HSS columns for appearance or interference reasons.
Figure 5: HSS brace-to-gusset plate connection. Both Option A and
Option B use erection bolts at gusset plates. In Option A the brace
is held in position by a bearing bolt and by brace bearing at the
ends of the slots in the brace at the bottom gusset plate and by the
bearing bolt at top gusset plate. In Option B through-bolts at gusset
plates support the brace. Option B is more expensive for fabrication
because of the holes and long bolts. Using oversized holes for this
option can provide helpful t-up tolerances.

Option A
Option B