30/01/2025
Today, we have the privilege of speaking with José Ángel Amores, Technical Coordinator at Deltana Engineering and an expert in the detailing and fabrication of reinforced steel for concrete structures. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, José Ángel has been involved in major international projects, such as the expansion of the Panama Canal and the new Central Station in Riga for the Rail Baltica project.
José Ángel, thank you for joining us today. To begin, what do you think is the key to creating a good shop drawing for reinforcement?
José Ángel Amores:
In my experience, a good shop drawing is one where anyone involved in the construction process —from project management, to review, to the actual assemblers— can clearly identify, without any discrepancies, all the bars in terms of their dimensions, size, and position in the corresponding element. While this may sound simple, it requires significant knowledge and experience. Each element to be reinforced requires different sections, details, scales, and annotations for proper identification. There are no magic solutions; a good shop drawing is the result of experience and understanding of the craft.
And what differences do you see between a shop drawing and a design plan? Some may wonder why a shop drawing is needed if the design plan already contains all the information.
José Ángel Amores:
That’s a common question. To explain it, I like to use a metaphor. Imagine you're passionate about cooking and decide to make a traditional Spanish dish called cocido (a hearty chickpea stew*). You could buy all the ingredients: chickpeas, bacon, chorizo, etc. But if you're not a skilled cook and don’t add the right amount of salt, cook it for the correct amount of time, or combine the ingredients properly, the end result will likely be a bland stew, which takes too long to prepare and isn’t satisfying. The ingredients, in this metaphor, represent the design plan—it provides the basic recipe. However, without a skilled cook (in our case, a technician specializing in reinforcement detailing), the result will not be efficient. That’s why it’s so important to value the work of the technical expert, which is often underestimated, but it is essential to ensure that the shop drawing is really useful and effective on-site assembly. The quality of the shop drawing directly influences the project’s success.
(*Note for non-Spanish speakers: Cocido is a traditional Spanish stew made with chickpeas, various meats (such as bacon and chorizo), and vegetables. It requires precise timing and seasoning to achieve the perfect flavor.)
You’ve mentioned that during your 25 years of experience, you’ve witnessed significant technical evolution in the field. How has the approach to reinforcement detailing changed over time?
José Ángel Amores:
It’s fascinating to see how technology has evolved over the years. I started working with traditional tools like the scale ruler, square, and triangle. Then, we moved on to software like AutoCAD and, more recently, specialized tools such as Armacad and BIM modeling platforms like Tekla for reinforcement design. Each of these advancements has greatly improved efficiency and time management. However, it’s important to emphasize that while technological tools have advanced, there’s still a need for skilled professionals behind the scenes to make the most of these tools. No software does all the work by itself; it’s the expert who makes optimization decisions and ensures that the construction process goes smoothly.
What contributions do you believe Deltana Engineering has made to the industry with its approach to reinforcement detailing?
José Ángel Amores:
At Deltana, we’ve managed to strike the perfect balance between experience, professionalism, and the adoption of new digital tools. This combination allows us to deliver high-quality shop drawings that not only meet accuracy and detail standards but also optimize assembly times, which directly impacts cost savings for our clients. Thanks to this synergy between our team's experience and cutting-edge technology, we can facilitate the reinforcement assembly process on site, resulting in more efficient and cost-effective projects.
José Ángel, we really appreciate you sharing your expertise with us today. It’s clear that the quality of shop drawings plays a key role in determining the success of a project and ensuring smooth execution on site.
Conclusion:
At Deltana Engineering, we are fortunate to have professionals like José Ángel Amores, whose wealth of experience and expertise in reinforcement detailing is critical to the success of major international projects. The combination of technical knowledge and the adoption of new technologies is what allows us to remain a leader in the field, delivering more efficient and profitable projects.
#Engineering #Construction #BIM #ShopDrawing #ReinforcedSteel #Experience #Innovation #Technology #DeltanaIngeniería