The first U.S. design guide for steel castings—structural joints without welds or bolted plates—is likely to be published in about two years. And though there is support for specifications to expand the niche market for the specialized connections, stakeholders caution that there are challenges ahead.
“The guide would identify a portfolio of opportunities and list performance specifications that an engineer-of-record would include in a bid package” for a specialty casting designer or supplier, Raymond W. Monroe, executive vice president of the Steel Founders Society of America, noted at the North American Steel Construction Conference, held by the American Institute of Steel Construction on March 22-24 in San Antonio. SFSA is writing the guide with AISC’s assistance.