SECTION 589 - REMOVAL OF STRUCTURAL STEEL (Last Revised September, 2016)
589-1 DESCRIPTION. The work shall consist of removal and disposal of existing structural steel as
shown in the contract documents and as directed by the Engineer.
589-2 MATERIALS. Not Specified.
589-3 Construction Details
589-3.01 General. A minimum of 14 days prior to the removal of existing structural steel, the Contractor
shall submit a written Structural Steel Removal plan meeting the requirements of §202-3.01A. Demolition Plan to the Engineer for approval. The Structural Steel Removal plan shall set forth all expected supports, disconnections and adjustments to steel which is to remain. If, during the course of the work it becomes necessary to support, disconnect, or adjust steel not previously noted in the Structural Steel Removal plan, the Contractor shall submit a revised plan to the Engineer for approval. All work performed on steel which is to remain shall be in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Steel Construction Manual (SCM). Materials removed as part of this work shall become the property of the Contractor, and shall be removed from the work site. Cutting of steel to remain shall be performed in a manner to produce edges and surfaces suitable for welding, in accordance with the requirements of the SCM, Part 603 Surfaces and Edges to be Welded. Thermal cutting of A709 steels shall be performed in accordance with the requirements of the SCM, Part 602 Thermal Cutting of A709 Steels. Replacement of steel removed will be paid for separately.
589-3.02 Steel Structures Coated with Paint. If the steel is coated with paint, prior to the start of steel
removal operations, the paint shall be removed for a minimum distance of 4 inches on each side of the centerline of cut, bolt row, rivet row, or weld, as applicable. The paint removal work shall be performed in accordance with the requirements of §202-3.01D. Paint Removal.
589-3.03 Fastener Removals. If rivet shanks, or bolts, cannot be removed by punching without
damaging the base metal, the rivet shank, or bolt, shall be removed by drilling.
A.Bolts. Nuts shall be removed with wrenches, wherever possible, and the bolts driven out with a hand held punch. Alternate removal procedures shall be set forth in the Removal Plan.
B.Rivets. Rivets shall be removed by either of the following methods:
1.Shearing the rivet head, using a pneumatic rivet breaker (helldog), and driving out the rivet shank with a pneumatic punch
2.Flame-cutting the rivet head 1/16 inch above the base metal, using a rivet scarfing tip, and driving out the shank using a pneumatic punch.
589-3.04 Welded Connection Disassembly. Welded connections shall be disassembled in accordance
with the following:
A.Removal. The affected weld shall be removed by means of air carbon arc gouging equipment. To avoid damaging the base material, 1/8 inch of weld material should be left in place. If more removal is needed to break the weld, then the removal shall be done in the vicinity of the component which
589-3 04
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2 will not remain. Any damaged steel to remain shall be repaired or replaced in a manner to be approved by the DCES.
B.Grinding. The weld material on the existing steel to remain in place shall be ground flush with the base metal surface. No base metal shall be removed by grinding.
C.Inspection. The Engineer will perform a visual inspection of all weld removal locations. If the Engineer suspects that damage has occurred, the Contractor shall perform a dye penetrant inspection in accordance with the requirements of the SCM. If the Contractor's operations damage existing steel which is to remain in place, the damaged steel shall be repaired, or replaced, as determined by the DCES at no additional cost to the State.
589-4 Method of Measurement.
The quantity to be measured for payment for removal of existing steel with a pay unit of pounds will be in pounds of existing steel removed, measured to the nearest whole pound. The weight of existing steel removed will be computed from the nominal sizes indicated in the contract documents. If the nominal size is not indicated, field measurements shall be used to determine the weight, using 490 pcf as the density of steel. The weight of bolts, rivets and welds will be neglected, and no deductions will be made for any rivet or bolt holes in the existing steel or for any section loss due to corrosion. The quantity to be measured for payment for removal of existing steel with an each pay unit will be in each unit of existing steel removed.
589-5 BASIS OF PAYMENT. The unit price bid shall include the cost of all labor, materials and
equipment necessary to satisfactorily complete the work, including the removal of paint and fasteners, and disconnecting, supporting, or adjusting steel as necessary. The treatment, handling and disposal of the paint removal waste will be paid separately. Payment will be made under: Item No. Item Pay Unit 589.01nnnn Removal of Existing Steel Pound 589.52nnnn Removal of Existing Steel Each NOTE: nnnn denotes a serialized pay item.
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Source: Standard Specifications (US Customary Units), 2026 (Jan) Edition. Pages 651–652 of 1,489. View official source ↗