by
Bradlee Fletcher
on
July 8, 2026
HSS continues to gain popularity in structural steel design — from column grids in commercial buildings to bridge components in seismic zones. With multiple specifications governing their production, choosing the right spec for a given application is crucial for success in designing with HSS....
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by
Bradlee Fletcher
on
June 27, 2026
When specifying round steel members for structural applications, the choice between ...
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by
Bradlee Fletcher
on
May 27, 2026
Structural engineering continues to demand more precision, efficiency, and cost-effective material selection than ever before. Navigating design changes, managing stakeholder expectations, and working within compressed timelines requires reliable data and streamlined workflows. Fortunately, the inherent efficiencies of ho...
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by
Bradlee Fletcher
on
May 13, 2026
Selecting the right structural materials directly impacts your project timeline, budget, and overall design efficiency. As a structural engineer, you skillfully balance the demand for high load capacities with the need to manage costs and meet architectural expectations. Traditional wide flange sections have their place...
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by
Bradlee Fletcher
on
April 29, 2026
A common question that arises during the material specification process is the functional difference between ASTM A500 and ASTM A513 steel tubing. Customers and design teams sometimes assume these specifications are interchangeable. However, when we delve deeper into the material properties and manufacturing standards, m...
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by
Bradlee Fletcher
on
March 25, 2026
Every large structure, from soaring skyscrapers to sprawling bridges, relies on a solid foundation to establish structural integrity and safety. For projects demanding foundational support in challenging soil conditions, deep foundation systems are critical. Among the list of reliable solutions is straight-seam ERW steel...
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by
Bradlee Fletcher
on
March 16, 2026
Hollow Structural Sections (HSS) are popular among structural engineers due to their unique combination of strength, efficiency, and aesthetic versatility. The most common governing standard for HSS in North America is ASTM A500. For structural engineers designing complex projects, understanding the nuances of t...
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by
Bradlee Fletcher
on
January 19, 2026
More structural engineers are using Hollow Structural Sections (HSS) because of their high strength-to-weight ratio and versatility. Whether you leverage...
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by
Bradlee Fletcher
on
December 17, 2018
When you’re designing a large, open structure, you can’t let the supports get in the way of the aesthetics or the functionality of the space. But this can be a challenge when designing with ASTM A500 HSS. Variation in wall thickness with this spec forces you to err on the side of larger sections — making it harder to meet size limitations and...
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by
Bradlee Fletcher
on
October 22, 2018
When you go to twelve trade shows and speak to forty different engineering firms or fabricators each year, I hear people say it’s challenging to design structures for seismic applications. And in some ways, it’s true — if you design with ASTM A500 HSS, it can be difficult to predict how the sections will perform because of the variance in wal...
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