Value-Assist Fabrication: Design It Right From the Start
We excel at traditional Value Engineering (VE), but it usually happens late—after the design is mostly complete. At that stage, only limited changes can be made.
Rainier prefers Value-Assist Fabrication:
We work with EPCs and general contractors at the front end to help shape the design before it is finalized.
By involving Rainier early, we can:
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- Select between plate girders, box girders, or other structural systems
- Optimize span lengths and splice locations
- Confirm launch and erection feasibility for 200’–350’ girders
- Size modules for efficient transport: truck, barge, or train
- Align steel grades and coatings with Arctic performance requirements
- Integrate pipe supports and saddles into the bridge design
- Model fabrication and erection costs early in the process
- Flag constructability issues while they are still easy to fix
Early collaboration can:
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- Reduce total project cost by an estimated 10–30%
- Lower schedule and execution risk
- Prevent unbuildable, labor-intensive, or logistics-heavy design decisions
Designing for Scarce Alaska Labor
Skilled field labor in Alaska is limited and expensive. Every extra hour on site affects schedule and budget.
Rainier designs and fabricates structures to minimize on-site man-hours and complexity in Alaska and maximize work done in Washington.
Our labor-focused design approach includes:
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- Maximizing shop fabrication and pre-assembly in our controlled environment
- Reducing field welding in Alaska, favoring bolt-up connections where practical
- Standardizing details and connection types so field crews see the same details repeatedly
- Integrating lift points, rigging features, and clear markings to speed up erection
- Coordinating with erectors to match crane capacity, crew size, and access limitations
- Planning sequences that reduce the number of critical lifts and minimize work at height
The goal is simple:
More work in the shop where labor is available and efficient.
Less work in Alaska where labor is scarce and expensive.
This approach directly addresses expected labor shortages and rising labor rates in Alaska during peak construction years.
Optimizing Transportation and Logistics Costs
Transportation to Alaska is a major cost driver. Barge space, tug time, port handling, and interior trucking can rival or exceed fabrication costs if not planned carefully.
Rainier designs bridge and pipeline crossing modules to optimize transportation and logistics costs from Anacortes to the project site.
Key elements of our logistics-aware design:
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- Module lengths and weights tailored to common barge and heavy-haul limits
- Girder and frame geometry planned to maximize deck utilization and minimize “wasted” barge space
- Module shapes designed to reduce wind sail area and handling complexity
- Pre-assembly before transportation to lower piece count and handling costs
- Coordination with marine and heavy-haul partners so designs match real-world equipment and routes
- Minimizing special permits, escorts, and route restrictions through smart sizing
- Planning staged deliveries to match the construction sequence and reduce laydown congestion and double handling
By incorporating logistics into design decisions from day one, we help EPCs and GCs control one of the most volatile cost components on Alaska LNG—shipping and handling.
Why Prime Contractors Choose Rainier for Alaska LNG
1. AISC Advanced Bridge & Fracture-Critical Certified
Essential for:
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- Long-span pipeline bridges
- High-fatigue, high-consequence structures
- Arctic and sub-Arctic applications
2. Expertise in 200’–350’ Plate Girders and Modular Bridge Segments:
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- 300–350 ft plate girder spans
- 200 ft modular girder assemblies
- Shop-assembled modules up to ~80,000 lbs
- Field-bolted splices designed for speed and safety
- Launch-ready girder geometry
- Strongbacks, bracing, and temporary works steel
We design modules to fit:
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- Real crane capacities
- Launch and erection plans
- Alaska labor constraints
- Barge and trucking limitations
3. Direct Marine Access for Barge-Ready Fabrication
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- Deep-water barge access
- Heavy-lift crane capability at the marina
4. Arctic-Grade Steel and Coatings (-40°F and under harsh freeze–thaw cycles)
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- A588 / A709-50W weathering steel
- A572 / A500 structural grades
- Arctic-toughness welding consumables
- Zinc-rich primer systems
- Multi-coat epoxies
- Wet-coat over weathering steel
- Galvanizing through regional partners
5. Pipeline Support Steel design and fabrication
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- Pipeline saddles and shoes
- Fixed and sliding anchor frames
- Guides, rollers, and support frames for bridges
- Retrofit supports under existing pedestrian or truss bridges
Ideal for above-ground pipeline segments, river crossings, and bridge-mounted pipelines.
6. Alaska-Proven Execution
Rainier has delivered steel components into Alaska for:
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- Port of Kodiak
- Marine and bridge work
- Pile sleeve systems
- DOT and USACE projects
We understand:
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- Seasonal barge windows
- Ice and weather constraints
- Remote staging and laydown challenges
And we design with those realities in mind.
7. SDVOSB – Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
Rainier is an SDVOSB, which can support:
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- Prime contractor small-business participation goals
- Federal and state stakeholder expectations
- Diversity and inclusion metrics
Even where formal DBE/SBE requirements are limited, SDVOSB status adds value to prime contractor proposal teams.
8. Full QA/QC, Traceability, and Digital Integration
Our QA/QC framework includes:
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- Full MTR/heat-number traceability
- AWS D1.1 and D1.5 (Fracture-Critical) welding
- UT, MT, and other NDT capabilities
- Tekla-integrated detailing
- Digital document control and submittals
- AISC-compliant procedures
This gives EPCs and Engineers of Record the documentation they need for critical infrastructure.
Target Scopes for Alaska LNG
Rainier is well-suited to supply:
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- 200’–350’ pipeline bridge girders
- 900 ft composite girder assemblies
- Pipe support frames, anchors, guides, and saddles
- Compressor station and valve station structural steel
- Access platforms, stairs, and walkways
- Modular steel assemblies for barge transport
- Temporary works steel for launching and erection
Start Early. Save Millions. Reduce Risk.
The earlier Rainier is involved, the more we can:
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- Reduce field labor needs in Alaska
- Simplify erection and launching
- Optimize transportation and logistics costs
- Shape a design that is practical, buildable, and economical
Bring Rainier into your design and planning now to get the full benefit of our Value-Assist Fabrication model for Alaska LNG.
