The Tectonix Blog

Steel Detailing, Written for Fabricators

Field-tested articles on shop drawings, RFIs, Tekla workflows, revision control, and constructability — from the team that details steel for fabricators nationwide.

Latest from Tectonix

Ideas that keep fabrication moving

Fresh perspectives and practical guidance for steel fabricators, project teams, and the people responsible for getting work released, fabricated, and erected.

Fabricator insights

RFIs & Communication 7 min

How to Cut RFI Cycle Time in Half on Steel Detailing Projects

Every unanswered RFI is a piece of steel that can't be released. Here's a practical playbook for getting engineering answers back faster — batching, formatting, and escalation tactics that actually work.

Aug 10, 2026

Revision Control 8 min

Revision Control for Shop Drawings: Stop Cutting Steel from Stale Sheets

One member cut from a superseded drawing can cost more than the entire detailing contract. These are the revision-control habits that keep the shop floor working from current sheets — every time.

Aug 3, 2026

Constructability 9 min

The Constructability Review: 10 Questions to Ask Before Detailing Starts

Most field problems on steel projects were visible in the design drawings before detailing ever started. A structured constructability review finds them while they're still cheap to fix.

Jul 27, 2026

Tekla & Software 8 min

Getting More from Your Detailer's Tekla Model: A Fabricator's Handoff Guide

Most fabricators use a fraction of what the Tekla model can do. CNC files, IFC exports, erection sequencing, clash detection — here's what to request at handoff and what each deliverable is worth.

Jul 20, 2026

Shop Drawings 6 min

5 Shop Drawing Approval Mistakes That Delay Fabrication (and How to Avoid Them)

Fabrication can't start until drawings come back approved — and the approval cycle is the least-controlled part of most steel schedules. Five mistakes cause most of the damage.

Jul 13, 2026

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