European Steel in US SMRF 1

[bookowski]

Long shot oddball one here. I have a client looking at prefab/modular manufactured in Europe that would be used in a high seismic area. The structural system would be a smrf or ebf. AISC seismic provisions states that the material shall be astm.... Has anyone ever dealt with getting similar/equivalent steel approved?

 

[STpipe]

AISC 341 states the material shall meet the ASTM specifications, not that it has to be made to those specific specifications. If the properties steel made from European grades meet or exceed the respective ASTM standard for that material, wouldn't that essentially comply to the requirements from AISC?

 

[HTURKAK]

AFAIK , AISC 341 states two upper limit for the specified minimum yield stress of structural steel 50 ksi (345 MPa) and for 55 ksi (380 MPa). European steels ( EN 10025 ) may be used as long as comply with the requirements of ASTM materials defined in AISC 341.

Pls find below the Comparison tables of typical steel grades.










Not to know is bad;
not to wish to know is worse.

NIGERIAN PROVERB

 

[Warhamer]

Bookowski,

The simple answer is for prefab/modular construction, yes it can be done. As STpipe and HTURKAK, mention the key role is proving the Steels to ASTM. Depending on where you are going, some US State modular programs straight up require testing to prove ASTM compliance; others are good with comparisons and a professional engineer assessment. So States that have high seismic areas and modular programs for example would be California, Missouri, and South Carolina. In all of these cases the manufacturer should be registered with the State program. If the destination is a State with a modular program it may be good to consult with a Design Review Agency/Third Party early in the process. Most States have a list of approved DRAs on their website.

EIT, Modular Building Industry

 

[bookowski]

Thanks, Warhamer. I was not aware of these state agencies, this is great info and exactly what I was looking for. I see in your signature that you're in the mod industry, if you have any other organizations, codes, references that you think would be helpful that would be appreciated.

 

[Warhamer]

Bookowski,

A couple of other quick things I can say to watch for is, most States have a Modular Building Code that is separate from the local jurisdiction. Do to the enabling laws of the Modular Program, modular program's adopted codes control the codes used for the modular construction. Anything done on-site is to the local jurisdictions codes. As an example the modular boxes may be designed to 2015 I-codes, however, you are also designing for an awning that is done completely on site. That awning may be required to be done to 2018 or even 2021 I-codes, as that is what the local jurisdiction has adopted. Otherwise, check the destination State for modular programs.

Generally a design review agency is also going to be the inspection agency for a modular project. This means the inspection agency is going to be required to send inspectors to Europe to inspect the in-plant construction. Very few modular programs are allowing remote video inspections at this time, even post covid. So this is an additional cost factor may not be considered.

EIT, Modular Building Industry