Piece marks.
Piece marks.
(OP)
I visited a job recently where the fabricator etched the piece marks into the steel members. I didnt really think too much of it until I realized that they etched into the bracing members. Now, I would say the etch was 1/16 of an in of less, and the machine they use is very popular. Is it normal for a fabricator to mark the steel in this manner? Seems like they could run into a problem real fast.






RE: Piece marks.
RE: Piece marks.
Unless you're talking about very thin members, very high strength steel or fatigue/fracture concerns, I wouldn't worry about it.
RE: Piece marks.
Good point though. Time to study field damage relative to notch toughness in seismic elements.
RE: Piece marks.
RE: Piece marks.
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Piece marks.
RE: Piece marks.
RE: Piece marks.
RE: Piece marks.
It seems like overkill to me, especially given that a nearby crayon mark, presumably carrying the same information, is still visible.
I.e., if they let the laser travel a little more slowly, or bumped up the power, the marking would pierce the wall, which is probably not a good idea. ... and you should not mention the capability to an architect, or all your future members will look like swiss cheese and you will have to deal with liberally slotted members in your analysis.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA