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North American Steel Construction Conference 38th Annual Conference

The NISD 38th Annual Conference was held June 1-3, 2006 in Victoria, B.C.   The NISD Conference gives detailers originally from North America but now from around the world an opportunity to meet and discuss trends and issues in the industry.

The NISD always provides interesting and informative speakers:

Pat Newhouse of the Canadian Welding Bureau (CAWB) spoke on “Welding Symbols – Pointers and Pitfalls.”   Ken Mussato, President of Structural Detailers Institute of B.C. (SDIBC) has arranged to have Pat deliver her talk to members of SDIBC on September 8th. Robert Schoen Jr. of Action Steel Detailing presented “Checking the 3D Model”.   Rob explained how they use Xsteel (now Tekla Structures) to build and check the 3D model.

Mark V. Holland, P.E. discussed the “Keeper of the Model.”   There is still some controversy about who should be the “Keeper.”   Steel detailers have led the charge to 3D modeling and have collectively invested millions of dollars on 3D software.   With the introduction of BIM (Building Information Model), the various players in the construction industry are beginning to realize the power available through the 3D model.  The jury is still out on who should be the keeper of the model.  This is a subject worth watching. Bob Nevelle, P.Eng., spoke on the “Relationship between the Engineer and the Detailer – Why Engineering drawings are not always complete.”  Bob, a principal of Read, Jones, Christofferson in Vancouver, had given a similar talk to the SDIBC at their AGM and the topic is important for all steel detailers to understand the restrictions and challenges faced by the engineer.

In addition to the education topics at the conference and the business aspects of the NISD, networking is an important part of the proceedings.     Consideration is being given to holding the next NISD Conference in March, 2007 at Myrtle Beach in conjunction with the Erectors’ Conference.