What Are Structural Steel Drawings? The Latest Design Standards for 2025

From industrial factories and complex high-rise buildings to iconic mega-projects like airports and terminals, every structure begins with a core document: the structural steel drawing. This is not merely a sketch but a comprehensive set of technical documents that precisely defines the geometry, dimensions, material specifications, and all connection details for every steel component.

Structural steel drawings serve as the definitive guide for fabrication, the legal basis for inspection and acceptance, and the foundation for accurate quantity takeoffs. This article will provide a detailed analysis of what structural steel drawings are, the mandatory standards systems (TCVN, AISC), and a guide on reading detailed shop drawings.

What Are Structural Steel Drawings?

Structural steel drawings are a type of technical drawing that illustrates the strategy for using steel materials in major components—such as beams, columns, trusses, plates, and connections—within civil, industrial, bridge, or other special projects.

These drawings allow engineers to define the complete dimensions, shapes, locations, and specifications of the steel used, along with the connection methods (welding, bolting, riveting) for each component. The content clearly describes the overall load-bearing solution and the details of each part, from industrial building frames, large-span structures, and bridges to steel structures, tanks, industrial equipment, and structures requiring watertight or airtight integrity.

Characteristics of Steel Structures

The characteristics of steel structures include high load-bearing capacity, light weight, high elasticity and ductility, and ease of inspection. Consequently, structural steel drawings demand extreme precision in symbols, scaling, and technical specifications to ensure safety, quality, and compliance with Vietnamese construction laws (specifically, national standard TCVN 5575:2024 STEEL STRUCTURES – DESIGN).

Common Types of Structural Steel Drawings

1. Design Drawings / General Arrangement (GA) Drawings This is the foundational drawing set showing the overall design strategy, general layout, diagrams of main components, sections, and overall spatial arrangement. It serves as the basis for project appraisal and approval, bidding documents, the creation of detailed drawings in later stages, and planning reviews.
2. Shop Drawings / Detail Drawings This set details the design plan, reflecting complete dimensions, technical specifications, materials, and technical solutions required for direct on-site construction guidance. It is the basis for construction, inspection, cost estimation, and as-built documentation. Shop drawings must be precise, visual, and comprehensive enough for engineers and workers to follow.
3. Erection Drawings This set provides specific instructions for the assembly steps, the sequence of component assembly, connection locations, and installation tolerances, supporting the site team in erecting the steel structure. It ensures the assembly process adheres to the design, controlling tolerances, connection placements, and technical requirements for safe installation.

Mandatory Standards for Structural Steel Drawing Design in 2025

To ensure safety, sustainability, and legal compliance, all structural steel drawings must strictly adhere to national and international standards systems. This is a mandatory requirement regulated by government agencies and reputable organizations.

1. TCVN 5575:2024 – Steel Structures – Design (Latest Update): This is the national standard published by the Ministry of Science and Technology, stipulating all requirements for designing load-bearing components, stability checks, connection design (welding, bolts), and practical guidance on technical safety and quality. TCVN 5575:2024 replaces the old standard, updating regulations on materials, load factors, stability checks, and internal force analysis, helping to increase safety and economic efficiency in design.
2. TCVN 2737:2023 – Loads and Actions on Structures: This standard provides specific guidance on calculating all types of loads (static, dynamic, wind, earthquake) acting on steel structures. It is a mandatory reference document when preparing structural documentation.
3. TCVN ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management Systems for Engineering Design: Applied throughout the design process to ensure quality control of drawings, document traceability, and storage according to international standards.
4. Eurocode 3 (EN 1993-1-1:2020) – European Standard for Steel Structures: Some FDI projects or exported works require reference to Eurocode 3, updated from the Eurocode 2G generation (2023–2027), especially regarding stability control, fatigue, and fire resistance of steel structures.
5. ANSI/AISC 360-16 and AISC 341-16 (USA) – American Institute of Steel Construction Standards Used as a reference or applied for international cooperation projects, these standards detail materials, component calculations, connections, and seismic control for steel buildings.
6. National Technical Regulation on Fire Safety QCVN 06:2022/BXD Mandates checks for fire resistance and fire safety for all civil and industrial projects using steel structures, especially factories, commercial centers, and high-rise buildings.
7. Current Legal Regulations: Decree 06/2021/NĐ-CP on quality management of construction, and Circular 15/2021/TT-BXD on the verification of technical designs.

DaiDung Group – Vietnam’s Leading Structural Steel Drawing Design & Consulting Firm

Selecting a partner with sufficient technological capacity and experience in implementing international-caliber projects is a key factor. In Vietnam, DaiDung Group (DDC) is a pioneer in applying BIM and Tekla technology to structural steel drawing design.

DaiDung Group provides solution services and design consultancy, including structural design, connection design, and shop drawing design. DDC Group utilizes specialized design software like Tekla Structures to execute detailed structural steel drawings.

Below are typical projects by DDC Group featuring the execution of Tekla Structures Drawings:

HOA PHAT DUNG QUAT IRON AND STEEL PRODUCTION COMPLEX

• Location: Quang Ngai.
• TEKLA STRUCTURES DRAWINGS DESIGNED BY DDC TEAM. Features the 170m largest single-span warehouse in Southeast Asia.

POWERHOUSE PARRAMATTA MUSEUM

• Location: Australia (AU).
• TEKLA STRUCTURES DRAWINGS DESIGNED BY DDC TEAM. This is Australia’s new iconic green public building.

 

SAIGON EXHIBITION AND CONVENTION CENTER (SECC) II

• Location: Ho Chi Minh City.
• TEKLA STRUCTURES DRAWINGS DESIGNED BY DDC TEAM.

NATIONAL EXHIBITION AND CONVENTION CENTER (VEC)

• Location: Hanoi, Vietnam.
• TEKLA STRUCTURES DRAWINGS DESIGNED BY DDC TEAM. This is a national landmark with a 360M diameter dome design.

LONG THANH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

• Location: Dong Nai, Vietnam.
• TEKLA STRUCTURES DRAWINGS DESIGNED BY DDC TEAM.

NEW PHNOM PENH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

• Location: CAMBODIA.
• TEKLA STRUCTURES DRAWINGS DESIGNED BY DDC TEAM. Passenger terminal, with an 80,000m² roof system comprising 45 domes, each 36m x 36m.

Additionally, DDC Group provides solution services, engineering design, manufacturing, and erection for many other complex projects, including the LNG, Oil & Gas, mining, nuclear power plant, skid modules, piping, and civil construction sectors.

• GREATER CHANGHUA OFFSHORE WIND FARM

• LUSAIL ICONIC STADIUM

• 974 RAS ABU ABOUD STADIUM

Conclusion

In summary, a high-quality, accurate, and fully compliant set of structural steel drawings is not just a technical requirement but a decisive factor in the safety, schedule, and financial efficiency of the entire project.

Choosing a professional drawing design unit, especially one with advanced shop drawing capabilities like Tekla, is a critical investment. It helps investors control risks, optimize costs, and ensure the highest quality of construction.

The record-breaking steel structure dome by a Vietnamese enterprise – DaiDung Group is proud to be the main steel contractor contributing to building the iconic Vietnam Exhibition Centre (VEC) in Hanoi.

For detailed consultation on structural steel drawing design services, engineering solutions, and construction solutions for complex projects, contact the expert engineering team at DaiDung Group today.

DAIDUNG CONSTRUCTION TRADING MECHANICAL CORPORATION

• Address: Lot 38, Area C, D1 Street, An Ha Industrial Park, Tan Vinh Loc Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
• Office: 121 – 123 Bach Dang, Tan Son Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City.
• Phone: +84 28 3868 1689
• Fax: +84 28 3845 2397