Ironworking: Structural Steel Erection and Bolt-Up
What this domain tests
The Ironworking domain checks whether you can plan and execute structural steel erection safely: reading erection plans, setting columns and beams, maintaining stability, installing bolts, and controlling fall hazards. Questions often ask for the next safe action, not just a definition.
Core rules
- Follow the erection plan and approved shop drawings; never field-cut or field-weld primary members without engineering approval.
- Set columns to the specified elevation and plumb tolerance, then secure with anchor bolts and temporary guying before releasing the crane.
- Keep the structure stable: install temporary bracing, snug bolts, and complete final bolting in the sequence required by the plan. Do not remove guying until permanent bracing is in place.
- Use drift pins to align holes; do not enlarge holes with a torch. Ream only as permitted.
- Fall protection: connectors and other ironworkers exposed at 15 ft or more must be protected; controlled decking zones have specific limits and marking requirements.
- Know crane hand signals and rigging limits; tag lines control loads, and no one stands under a suspended load.
Worked example
A 3/4-in A325 bolt has a total length of 3 in. and is to be pretensioned by turn-of-nut. Bolt length equals 3 ÷ 0.75 = 4 diameters. The turn-of-nut table calls for 1/2 turn for lengths up to 4 diameters, so the answer is 1/2 turn after snugging. If the same bolt were 3-1/2 in. long, it would be 4.67 diameters, requiring 2/3 turn.
Traps
Do not confuse snugging with pretensioning. Do not assume all bolts are turn-of-nut; some are tension-calibrated or load-indicator. Do not remove temporary bracing early. Do not use a torch to align holes. Do not treat the controlled decking zone as unlimited fall-protection exemption.