SECTION 520 Steel Bridges - Shop Drawings - Review and Inspections

Oct 23, 2026

SECTION 520 Steel Bridges outlines requirements for structural steel fabrication and verification processes, emphasizing the role of shop drawings, inspection records, and field handling. It explains how detailed shop drawings and match/identification markings support accurate steel erection, describes department review workflow via a fabrication library, and clarifies responsibilities for quality control. It further specifies shop inspection approaches, CMTR submission and review before assembly, field inspection documentation for fabricated components, storage and handling methods to prevent damage, and bearing layout and preparation to ensure correct elevations and uniform contact surfaces.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

520.1 Shop Drawings

520.2 Shop Inspection

520.2.1 General

520.2.2 Primary Members

520.2.3 Fabricated Bridge Components

520.3 Field Handling and Storage of Structural Steel

520.4 Bearings

520.4.1 General

520.4.2 Bearing Pads

SECTION 520 Steel Bridges 520.1 Shop Drawings The fabricator's detailed shop drawings and steel erection drawings become a part of the project plans and are used in conjunction with the general plans. During steel erection, the engineer should make sure all members are placed in the proper position in the structure by checking match marks or identification marks on the members with the location shown on the erection drawing. The department does not approve shop drawings. The department may perform a quality assurance review on selected submittals. BOS and project leaders/managers may provide comments on the shop drawings before acceptance by the department. The department's review does not relieve the contractor or fabricator of the responsibility for quality control of the work, for obtaining acceptable results, for the accuracy of dimension and details, or for conformity of these drawings with the contract. Shop drawings for primary steel members and fabricated bridge components must be submitted to the department through the fabrication library. The fabrication library allows both BOS and project leader/managers to select review status and send notifications to the fabricator. Project leaders/managers must accept the shop drawings through the fabrication library by changing this status. Project leaders/managers should review the fabrication library submission standards, which include electronic shop drawing review guides. This document can be downloaded from: [https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/doing-bus/eng-consultants/cnslt-rsrces/strct/fab-sharepoint.aspx](https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/doing-bus/eng-consultants/cnslt-rsrces/strct/fab-sharepoint.aspx) 520.2 Shop Inspection 520.2.1 General Based on the location of the shop and inspector availability, quality assurance (QA) inspection of the structural steel in the shop may be performed by a BOS representative. Shop inspection reports are submitted to the WisDOT fabrication library by quality assurance inspectors during fabrication, and are available for review at: [https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/doing-bus/eng-consultants/cnslt-rsrces/strct/fab-sharepoint.aspx](https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/doing-bus/eng-consultants/cnslt-rsrces/strct/fab-sharepoint.aspx) In the event that shop inspection reports are not available, the engineer should contact the SFU to ensure that the structural steel has been shop inspected. 520.2.2 Primary Members Primary members are critical members designed to carry load within the structure. Steel bridge primary members are listed in standard spec 506.3.1.1. When structural steel members are delivered to a job site, if the region has concerns with the quality of the fabricated members provided, the region may arrange through BOS to have an on-site inspection made by an experienced shop inspector. This is not intended to be a complete inspection as to dimensions, etc. , but rather to look for the type of defects that result from faulty fabrication and welding procedures. The fabricator must submit certified mill test reports (CMTR) to the fabrication library. The project leader/manager must review these records before the start of fabrication. To avoid the incorporation of incorrect material into the structure, review of CMTRs for conformance to contract plans and specifications should be completed before assembly. 520.2.3 Fabricated Bridge Components Fabricated bridge components are inspected in the field. The engineer or designer will make and document field inspections. The fabricator must submit certified mill test reports (CMTR) to the fabrication library. The project leader/manager must review these records before the start of fabrication. To avoid the incorporation of incorrect material into the structure, review of CMTRs for conformance to contract plans and specifications should be completed before assembly. 520.3 Field Handling and Storage of Structural Steel Standard spec 506.3.24 and standard sp

FAQs

What is the purpose of match marks or identification marks on steel members during erection?

They help ensure each member is placed in the proper position in the structure by aligning the member marks with the locations shown on the erection drawing.

Does the department’s review of shop drawings remove the contractor or fabricator’s quality responsibilities?

No. The review does not relieve the contractor or fabricator of responsibility for quality control, acceptable results, dimensional accuracy, and conformity to the contract.

What documents must the fabricator submit before fabrication, and when should the project leader/manager review them?

The fabricator must submit certified mill test reports (CMTR) to the fabrication library, and the project leader/manager must review these records before the start of fabrication to ensure conformance with contract plans and specifications.

Oct 23, 2026

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