At Barton Malow, innovation is a commitment that often comes about in unique ways. Whether pioneering new construction methods or embracing cutting-edge materials, we’re always looking for opportunities to push the industry forward in ways that streamline productivity and benefit our clients and partners. One of the most recent innovations focuses on the future of steel construction, with the utilization of W14x1000 columns and Grade 80 steel.
A Global First in Steel Innovation
The W14x1000 is a marvel of construction engineering, and Barton Malow had the honor of placing the world’s first, second, and third such columns at Henry Ford Health’s Destination: Grand healthcare campus expansion in Detroit, Michigan. The new state-of-the-art hospital facility is being constructed by the Barton Malow-Turner-Dixon (BTD) tri-venture in partnership with Gayanga Co., directly across the street from the legacy Henry Ford Hospital campus.
While the “W14” designation typically refers to a nominal depth of 14 inches, this column actually measures 25 inches deep due to its massive weight of 1,000 pounds per lineal foot. It’s the heaviest rolled steel section ever produced, and it’s designed to support extreme vertical and lateral loads.
To accelerate construction, our team opted for an all-steel bracing core instead of a traditional concrete core. This decision significantly shortened the construction timeline but required upsizing steel columns. Initially, this meant fabricating built-up columns made from multiple parts — a labor-intensive and time-consuming process. After hearing about the W14x1000 through industry connections and our trusted fabricator, Sippel Steel, we presented the idea to Henry Ford Health, and they were in full support. As a breakthrough in structural steel design, the columns drastically reduced the amount of fabrication labor, straightening after heat distortion, and eliminated weeks of welding time.
What makes these columns even more remarkable is their sustainability profile. Produced by ArcelorMittal in Luxembourg, the columns use 98% recycled scrap and are melted with clean electricity, representing some of the greenest steel in the world.
The columns made their way across the Atlantic and then the Ohio River to Pittsburgh, where Sippel Steel fabricated them with all the needed connections. The three columns’ final destination in Detroit is located at the bracing core of the hospital’s forthcoming 20-story tower. About 150 people, including those from the BTD tri-venture, Henry Ford Health officials, community members, and even ArcelorMittal representatives, gathered on the morning of Tuesday, July 1, 2025, to watch the first of the three W14x1000 columns be placed and witness the historic moment in steel construction. The other two were placed later in the weeks that followed.
Grade 80: Strength Meets Efficiency
In addition to the jumbo columns, Destination: Grand is also the first healthcare project in the world to incorporate Grade 80 steel. Historically, most structural steel used in construction is Grade 50 or Grade 65, with a yield strength of 50,000 psi and 65,000 psi, respectively. Grade 80 steel, with a yield strength of 80,000 psi, is a new super high-strength steel that reduces overall tonnage while offering superior resistance to wear and fatigue.
Typically used in high-rise office towers, the steel, also produced by ArcelorMittal, is being utilized on specific columns in the lower half of the tower, optimizing cost savings and minimizing material use.
Our ability to lead the utilization of these materials is rooted in our self-perform expertise. With a hands-on approach and deep technical knowledge, we collaborate directly with fabricators, suppliers, and engineers, ensuring that we’re not just adopting new technologies, but shaping how they’re used.
A Legacy Forged in Steel
Working with a client that values schedule, innovation, and bold thinking allowed our teams to take the leap and cement Barton Malow in history as the first to use these groundbreaking materials. This progress was only possible through the trust built across every level of the project team. From the client to the fabricator, each partner brought a shared belief in pushing boundaries and a willingness to embrace these solutions.
It’s no coincidence that several of the organizations involved in this project have celebrated more than 100 years of legacy. This convergence of history and innovation represents a deep-rooted commitment to building what’s next, together.
About the Author: Mark Braekevelt, P.E., serves as Senior Director of Steel Operations, where he has managed and directed self-perform steel operations at Barton Malow since 2015. With over 35 years of steel construction experience, Mark leads client relationships, estimate reviews, procurement of fabrication, and safe erection with our Ironworkers.
