A method for reinforcing structural members, including forming a beam of a first metal, the beam including one or more grooves along a surface of the beam; placing a rod of a second metal in each of the one or more grooves along the surface of the beam; and fusing each rod to the beam without melting the first metal.

The present invention provides improved systems for supporting and translating a robotic welder around a structural column to perform automatic welding of joints. The improved system permits a robotic welder to perform the required welds in at least half the time it would take a human welder, thereby significantly reducing construction costs, improving safety of construction, and improving accuracy of welding, and requiring less testing of the welds.