Steel Estimating Rule of Thumb 1

[sdz]

I am estimating steel quantities for a preliminary design and only want +/- 25% accuracy.
Some engineers quote typical figures of xx kg/m^3 as a rough estimate or sanity check.
Does anyone know what typical figures would be for a steel framed crushing plant, and a steel framed process plant?

 

[busgosu]

Hi sdz,

For a steel framed process plant i usually take a value of 26 Kg/m3 when the equipments you have in the process plant are not very heavy.

 

[sdz]

Thanks busogu,
I ended up with 63 kg/m3 for a crushing station (including allowance for cleats & end plates). I would expect this type of structure to be on the heavy side so I can live with that.

 

[dik]

For roofs, I usually use about 5-6 psf and for floor systems (depending on loading) from 6 to 15 psf (typically 8 to 10). Can convert using 1 m2 = 10.7 ft2 and 1 kg = 2.2 lbs.

Dik

 

[Lutfi]

I like to point you to one possible source that may be helpful. It is at the AISC web. Look for floor framing free software. I think it will be helpful. Here is the link:

http://www.aisc.org/Content/Navigat...chnical_Resources/Steel_Tools/Steel_Tools.htm

Regards,
Lutfi