Mold-Tek Technologies Inc. undertook the steel detailing of the expansive BlueOval SK Battery Plant in Stanton, Tennessee. Spanning 3.1 million square feet and incorporating 47,000 tons of steel, this project is one of the largest in the awards’ history. The collaboration involved 17 fabricators and demanded meticulous coordination. Mold-Tek leveraged SDS2’s automated connection design, seamless ABM integration, automated piecemarking, and the use of macros and reports to manage the project’s complexity and scale.

LiNQ LLC detailed the Shearwater New Berth marine structure, featuring unique components such as a vehicle access ramp, floating lead, transition apron, platforms, concrete pontoon, and pipe strut. The project required precise detailing of a 100-foot ramp and specialized connections for floating leads, all while adhering to galvanizing constraints and complex geometries. Utilizing SDS2’s advanced modeling capabilities, LiNQ LLC created precise plate assemblies and other unique features for this versatile environment.

Arteras, Inc. earned recognition as a finalist in the 2024 SDS2 Solid Steel Awards for their exceptional work on the REG Biorefinery Expansion project. This ambitious initiative involved the expansion of an advanced biofuels facility, which is aiming to increase biodiesel production capacity from 90 million to an impressive 340 million gallons annually to support the growing demand for cleaner energy alternatives.

The expansion involved the creation of 24 distinct modules and introduced several engineering challenges. Notable among these were the two sulfur recovery units, each requiring shop-attached structures weighing nearly 10 tons, and complex chutes that needed to be divided into three sections for efficient handling and assembly.

The Li-Cycle Commercial Hub in Rochester, New York represents a groundbreaking achievement as North America’s first hydrometallurgical battery resource recovery facility. Designed to process spent batteries and manufacturing scrap, this state-of-the-art facility will produce battery-grade materials, paving the way for sustainable energy advancements.

The new $177 million, seven-story school at 75 Canal Street West in New York presented a variety of complex structural challenges. Among its standout features are massive trusses, each measuring 8 feet deep and weighing up to 100 tons, which support the second-floor gymnasium. Castellated beams were incorporated as floor joists beneath the gym, further enhancing the structural design.

Exactomators, Inc. earned the Grand Prize in the Commercial - Small Tonnage category for the Heritage Trail West project in Round Rock, Texas. This 62-ton structure features an oval-shaped spiral supporting a concrete walkway, with architecturally exposed structural steel and specialized Cast Connex connections. The team utilized SDS2 for 3D modeling, importing custom connections, and exporting precise design calculations to overcome the project’s complexities.

Beauce Atlas received the Grand Prize in the Commercial - Large Tonnage category for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s new music hall. The 986-ton structure comprises three interconnected cubes with complex connections and structural elements, including a Performance Lab with an intricate roof and a lobby featuring three conical archways. SDS2 facilitated the design of simple connections, while more complex connections were provided by an engineer.

Abesco, LTD secured second place in the Commercial - Large Tonnage category for the Portage La Prairie District General Hospital in Manitoba, Canada. The 269,000-square-foot hospital presented structural challenges, notably a front entrance canopy with rolled and sloping levels. Abesco, LTD’s expertise in steel detailing ensured the successful execution of this complex project.

DGS Technical Services earned second place in the 2024 SDS2 Solid Steel Awards for their intricate detailing of the Church of the Vietnamese Martyrs renovation. The project involved 300 tons of steel and required close collaboration with the fabricator and contractor, particularly for the HSS dome installation. Midway through fabrication, the roof was lowered by two feet, prompting multiple iterations of dome connections before opting for tight-fit, field-welded solutions, ensuring precision and adaptability.