World’s Largest ERW Mill FAQ
Atlas Tube has been anxiously working towards the opening of our new ERW mill. Once completed, it will be the largest single seam ERW mill in the world! As a result of the announcement in Ju...
Read moreWhy Just Lunch, When You Can Lunch & Learn?
An Atlas Tube Lunch & Learn is an opportunity to engage with the leading producer of Hollow Structural Sections (HSS) in North America and learn more about specifications, connections, production and other HSS related topics. Lunch & Learns are an easy and convenient way to not only gain PDH credits needed to meet continuing education re...
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Think ASTM A1085 HSS when Designing Structures Where Member Size Matters
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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Introduction of Common HSS Specifications
The use of tubular shapes is seen all around us in nature. Tube-like structures are naturally occurring in the bones of animals, bamboo and the stems of flowers. It’s no wonder HSS is so popular amongst structural engineers – from being a cost-effective structural member, to a high strength to weight ratio, to a uniform strength and aesthetical...
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Think ASTM A1085 when Designing Structures for Seismic Requirements
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...
Read moreThink ASTM A1085 For Structures with Dynamic Loading
You might already know that the steel used in bridges must meet the toughness requirements of ASTM A709 and AASHTO M270. If you design a bridge with ASTM A500 HSS, the sections will most likely have to be custom-manufactured to meet these requirements. That means higher costs, longer lead times and a higher minimum order quantity. Plus, you’ll ha...
Read moreThe New Buy Clean California Act – Good Intentions with Unintended Consequences
In the Fall of 2017, the California Legislature passed, and Gov. Brown signed into law, Assembly Bill 262 (AB 262), known as the Buy Clean California Act. This law has the intentions of bringing...
Read moreRecapping the AIA 2018 Architecture Expo
In June, I attended the American Institute of Architects Architecture Expo at the Javits Center in New York City. For all the years I’ve been an engineer (which has been quite a long time now), I’ve never checked out this expo until now – which is surprising since architects love using HSS in their unique designs. First, walking into the J...
Read moreNASCC 2018 Wrap Up
NASCC 2018 (#NASCC18) hosted by the AISC, was held in downtown Baltimore, MD at the Baltimore Convention Center. Another record crowd with over 5,000 attendees, the show featured more than 200 exhibitors and 100s of...
Read moreTop Five Reasons to Use Composite HSS
Composite HSS, or concrete-filled tubes (CFT) as it is sometimes referred, is an underutilized form of design and construction that has several advantages. The most common use is for columns supporting traditional steel framing or other floor systems such as Delta Beam with precast concrete planks. Let’s explore the top five reasons you...
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