Glossary

STRUCTURAL & BOLT GLOSSARY
(Ctrl F to find a word)
Accessories
Are extra items that can be furnished in addition to the base joist or joist girder. They include: headers, top chord extensions, extended ends, ceiling extensions, bottom chord extensions, sloped end bearings, bridging, bridging anchors, joist girder bottom chord bracing, or angle units (joist substitutes).
ADL
Abbrevation for 'After Dead Load is Applied'.
Aesthetic
Having the sense of beauty or pleasing to the eye.
AFF
Abbrevation for 'Above Finish Floor'.
Alignment Chart for Columns

A nomograph for estimating the effective length factor, K, of columns in an unbraced frame. Note that the chart is based upon assumptions of idealized conditions which seldom exist in real structures.
Amplitude
A measure of floor vibration. It is the magnitude or total distance traveled by each oscillation of the vibration.
Amplification Factor
A multiplier of the value of moment or deflection in the unbraced length of an axially loaded member to reflect secondary values generated by the eccentricity of the load.
Anchor Bolt
A long 'L' shaped bolt which is set in concrete and used to anchor columns or other members to a foundation or other support.
Anchor Bolt Plan

A plan view showing the size, location, and projection of all anchor bolts.
Anchorage
The process of fastening a joist or joist girder to a masonry, concrete, or steel support by either bolting or welding.
Angle
A hot rolled shape called an Angle with symbol L which has equal legs or unequal legs.
Angle Unit
A member used as a joist substitute which is intended for use at very short spans (10 feet or less) where open web steel joists are impractical. They are usually used for short spans in skewed bays, over corridors, or for outriggers. It can be made up of two or four angles to form channel sections or box sections. Tube and channel sections are also used. See Joist Substitute.
Guidelines for Shop Inspection Glossary for Structural and Bolts - Page 1/54
ANSI (American National Standards Institute)

A nonprofit organization which promotes the use of U.S. standards internationally
Apex
The highest point on a joist or joist girder where the sloped chords meet. See also Peak.
Approval Plans
Plans sent by the joist manufacturer to the buyer, engineer, architect, contractor or other person for approval. The plans may include a framing plan, elevations, sections, and a material list.
Area
Unit of measure of length times width expressed in square inches.
Arched Joist
A non-standard type of joist where both the top chord and bottom chord are curved parallel with each other.
Architect
A person who designs buildings or other structures and has completed schooling in building design or similar subjects and is licensed by the state as an architect.
ASD (Allowable Stress Design)

A structural design method whereby a structural element is designed so that the unit stresses computed under the action of working or service loads do not exceed specified allowable values. See Working Stress Design and Elastic Design.
Aspect Ratio
For any rectangular configuration, the ratio of the lengths of the sides.
ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)

An organization which has developed over 10,000 technical standards which are used by industries worldwide.
Atrium
An opening or skylighted lobby through two or more floor levels other than an enclosed stairway, elevator, etc.
AutoCAD
The world's most popular computer-aided drafting software product for the personal computer in both DOS and windows by Autodesk, Inc. Anything that can be drawn on a drawing board can be drawn by AutoCAD.
Automatic Welding
A welding procedure using a machine to make a weld.
Auxiliary Load
Any dynamic live loads such as cranes, monorails, and material handling systems.
AWS (American Welding Society)

A non-profit organization whose major goal is to advance the science, technology, and application of welding and related joining disciplines.
Axial Force
A force tending to elongate or shorten a member.
Axial Compression
An axial force causing compression in a member.
Axial Load
A load whose line of action passes through the centroid of the member's crosssectional area and is perpendicular to the plane of the section.
Axial Strut Load

A structural member designed to transfer a axial tension or compression load only.
Axial Tension
An axial force causing tension in a member.
Backing Bar
A welding aid used to prevent melting through of a joint when preforming, for example, a complete-joint penetration groove weld.
Balcony
An elevated platform or seating space of an assembly room projecting from a wall of a building.
Ballast Roof
A roof which has selected material, such as crushed stone, placed on its surface to hold down the roof from wind forces.
Bar
A square or round piece of solid steel which is usually 6 inches or less in width.
Base Metal
The metal to be welded or cut.
Base Plate
A steel plate welded to the base of a column which distributes the column loads over an area of foundation large enough to prevent crushing of the concrete and usually secured by anchor bolts.
Basement
Any floor below the first story in a building.
Batten
A small piece of angle or plate welded to the heels of a two angle web member or any two parallel components to tie them together and usually located at the middle of the member.
Bay
The distance between the main frames of a building.
Base Ply
Is one layer of felt fastened to the deck over which a built-up roof is applied.
Beam
A structural member, usually horizontal, whose main function is to carry loads transverse to its longitudinal axis. These loads usually cause bending of the beam member. Some types of beams are simple, continuous, and cantilever.
Beam-Column
A structural member whose main function is to carry loads both parallel and transverse to its longitudinal axis.
Bearing
1) The distance that the bearing shoe or seat of a joist or joist girder extends over its masonry, concrete, or steel support 2) A structural support, usually a beam or wall, that is designed by the specifying professional to carry reactions to the foundation
Bearing Plate
The steel plate used for a joist or joist girder to bear on when they are supported by masonry or concrete supports. This plate transfers the joist reaction to the supporting structure and must be sized accordingly.
Bearing Wall
A wall which is supporting any vertical loads i2n addition to its own weight.
Bending Moment
The condition in the analysis of the internal stresses across the cross section of a member when it is subjected to forces which cause it to bend.
Bending Stress
Is zero at the neutral axis and assumed to increase linearly to a maximum at the outer fibers of the section. Formula in the elastic range: Bending stress (in psi)=(M * c)/I, where 'M' is the bending moment at the section in in-lbs, 'I' is the moment of inertia of the section in inches^4, and 'c' is the distance from the neutral axis to the point at which the stress is desired in inches.
Bent
The plane of beam or joist girder members which support loads and the columns which support these members.
Bevel Cut
A single cut made at an angle to the member length. See Miter Cut.
BG-Type Joist Girder

A type of Joist Girder where joists are located at all panel points where vertical webs and diagonal webs intersect the top chord.
Biaxial Bending
Bending of a structural member about two perpendicular axes at the same time.
Bifurcation
The phenomenon whereby a perfectly straight member may either assume a deflected position, deflect then twist out of plane, or may remain in an undeflected configuration.
Bill of Lading
A list that gives each part or mark number, quantity, length of material, total weight, or other description of each piece of material that is shipped to a jobsite. The receiver compares each item on this list to what is on the truck and signs the statement. See also Shipping List.
Bill of Materials
A list of items or components used for fabrication and accounting purposes. See Cut-List.
Blasting
A method of cleaning or of roughening a surface by a forceable stream of sharp angular abrasive.
Blue Print
Also called a blue line. Is a copy of an architectural or other drawing made by a special machine usually on white paper with the lines and text being a blue color.
Bolted Splice
The connection between two structural members joined at their ends by bolting to form a single, longer member.
Bond Beam
The top course of block of a masonry wall filled with concrete and reinforcing steel and used to support roof loads.
Bottom Bearing
A bearing condition where the joist or joist girder bears on its bottom chord and not at an underslung condition.
Bottom Chord
The bottom members of a joist or joist girder.
Bottom Chord Extension (BCX)

The two angle extended part of a joist bottom chord from the first bottom chord panel point towards the end of the joist.
Bottom Chord Strut

A bottom chord of a joist or joist girder designed to transfer a axial tension or compression load.
Boundary Condition
An idealization to model how a structure is attached to its "external" points of support, for example, pin, fixed, roller, or shear release.
Bow String Joist

A non-standard type of joist where the top chord is curved and the bottom chord is straight or level.
Bow's Notation
Used in a graphical analysis of a joist or joist girder. It is a notation for denoting truss joints, members, loads, and forces. Capital letters are placed in the spaces between truss members and between forces. Each member and load is then designated by the letters on opposite sides of it.
Braced Frame
A frame which resists lateral loads by the use of diagonal bracing, K-braces, or other system of bracing.
Bracket
A structural support attached to a column or wall on which to fasten another structural member.
Bridge Crane
A lifting system which has a hoist that moves laterally on a beam or other member which then in turn moves longitudinally on a runway made of beams and rails.
Bridging
In general, is a member connected to a joist to brace it from lateral movement. See Horizontal Bridging and Diagonal Bridging.
Bridging Anchor
An angle or bent plate attached to a wall where the bridging will be attached or anchored, either by welding or bolting. The ends of all bridging lines terminating at walls or beams shall be anchored thereto.
Bridging Clip
A small piece of angle or plate with a hole or slot that is welded to the top and bottom chord angles so that bridging may be attached.
Bridging Diagram
A diagram of the profile of a joist used to show the number and location of the rows of bridging.
Brittle Fracture
The tearing or splitting of a member with little or no prior ductile deformation.
BTU (British Thermal Unit)

The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree farenheit.
Buckling Load
The load at which a straight member under compression transfers to a deflected position.
Building
Any structure used for support or for shelter.
Building Code
Regulations established by a recognized agency describing design loads, procedures, quality of materials, and construction details for buildings for the protection of the public.
Building Designer
A registered architect or registered engineer who is responsible for the design of a structure. See Specifying Professional.
Building Official
The officer or other authority which has the duty of administration and enforcement of a building code.
Built-Up Roof
A type of roof composed of two or more layers of alternating felt, tar and asphalt.
Built-Up Section
A structural member made up from individual flat plates welded together or any structural metal elements that are welded or bolted together.
Butt Plate
The end plate of a structural member usually used to rest or butt against a like plate of another member in forming a connection.
C Shapes
A hot rolled shape called an American Standard Channel with symbol C.
"C" Section
A structural member cold-formed from sheet steel in the shape of a block "C" which can be used by itself or back to back with another C Section.
CAD
Abbreviation for Computer-Aided Drafting.
Calipers
A mechanical instrument usually having a pair of pivoted legs adjustable to any distance and used to measure thickness, distances between surfaces, and any internal or external diameter which is inaccessible with a scale.
Camber
Camber is an upward curvature of the chords of a joist or joist girder induced during shop fabrication to compensate for deflection due to loading conditions. Note, this is in addition to the pitch of the top chord.
Canopy
A projecting member that is supported at one end only.
Cant Strip
A deck accessory which is a short piece of gage steel used at 45 degrees where a wall or parapet meets the end of deck.
Canted Seat
A seat which is sloped perpendicular to the member which most joist manufactures do not do. Usually the steel contractor furnishes a bent plate shim to provide level bearing for the seat.
Cantilever
The part of a member that extends freely over a support which is not supported at its end.
Cap Plate
A steel plate welded to the top of a column which a joist, joist girder, or other structural member can bear on.
Catwalk
Suspended structural framing used to provide access to and between areas below a roof and above a floor.
Ceiling Extension
Is similar to a bottom chord extension except that only one angle of the joist bottom chord is extended from the first bottom chord panel point towards the end of the joist.
Centerline Span (or Center-to-Center)

A theoretical span definition which is the distance between the actual centerlines of a beam, column, joist, or joist girder.
Centroid
The point in a member at the intersection of two perpendicular axes so located that the moments of the areas on opposite sides of an axis about that axis is zero.
Certified Welder
A welder who has been certified by a competent experienced welding inspector or a recognized testing facility in the field of welding. The welder must be certified to make certain welds under qualified procedures. The welder must be qualified for each position, type weld, electrode, and thickness of base metal that is to be welded in the shop or field.
Change Order
A written document which modifies the plans, specifications, or price of a construction contract.
Channel
A hot rolled structural shape the looks like "[". There are American Standard Channels designated by (C) and Miscellaneous Channels designated by (MC).
Chord
The two angle top or bottom member of a joist or joist girder, usually with a gap between the angles.
Cladding
The exterior covering of the structural members of a building.
Clear Span
The actual clear distance or opening between supports for a structural member, i.e., the distance between walls or the distance between the edges of flanges of beams.
Clevis
A U-shaped yoke with internal threads in one end which can be attached to a threaded rod and the other end a connection with a hole used for a pin or bolt attchment.
Clip Angle
A structural angle which attaches to the side of a wall, column, beam, etc. where a joist, joist girder, or other structural member bears.
Closure Strip
A floor deck accessory made of gage metal which is placed over the ends of deck so that concrete cannot run out of the flutes of the deck.
Coefficient of (Linear) Expansion

The change in length, per unit, for a change of one degree of temperature.
Cold-Formed
The process of forming a structural section by bending sheet or strip steel in rollforming machines without the use of heat.
Collateral Load
All additional dead loads other than the weight of the building, such as sprinklers, pipes, ceilings, and mechanical or electrical components.
Column
Is a main vertical member carrying axial loads, which can be combined with bending and shear, from the main roof beams or girders to the foundation. These structural members carry loads parallel to its longitudinal axis.
Column Curve
A curve which shows the relationship between axial column strength and slenderness ratio.
Compact Section
A steel section whose flanges must be continuously connected to the webs and the width-thickness ratios of its compression element can not exceed the limiting width-thickness ratios designated in the AISC Manual.
Composite Beam
A steel beam and a concrete slab connected, usually by shear stud connectors, so that they act together to resist the load on the beam.
Compression
A condition caused by the action of squeezing or shortening of a component.
Compression Member
Any member in which the primary stress is longitudinal compression.
Concentrated Load
A single load or force that has such a small contact area as to be negligible compared with the entire surface area of the supporting member and applied at a certain point on the structure.
Connection
A joint connected by welds or bolts used to transmit forces between two or more members. See also Splice.
Continuity
The term given to a structural system denoting the transfer of loads and stresses from member to member as if there were no connections.
Continuous Span
A span that extends over several supports and having more than two points.
Continuous Weld
A weld which extends continuously from one end of a joint to the other.
Contract
A legal document or agreement, enforceable by law, between two or more parties for the doing of something specified, such as the building of a building or furnishing materials.
Contract Documents
Contract drawings, specifications, etc., used to build a structure which define the responsibilities of the parties involved.
Contract Drawings
All the architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, etc. plans that make up a legal set of contract documents to build a building by.
Conventional Framing
Framing using conventional joist, beams, columns, masonry walls, etc. instead of framing used in Metal Building construction.
Coping
The process of removing certain sections of a structural steel member to allow easier fit-up to the supporting structural member.
Corbel
Successive courses of masonry projecting from the face of a wall to increase its thickness or to form a shelf or ledge for a structural member to bear on.
Cover Plate
A long plate usually welded to the top or bottom flange of a rolled steel beam or to the bottom chord of a joist or joist girder to increase the load carrying capacity of that member.
Coverage
The width of a deck sheet, i.e., 30 inches or 36 inches.
Crane
1) A machine used to move material by means of a hoist. 2) A machine that can usually move and is used to lift heavy materials or to lift members that are to be erected in a structure.
Creep
A time-dependent deformation of a structural member under a sustained constant load.
Cricket
A ridge or drainage diverting roof framing.
Crimped Angle Web

A regular angel whose ends have been 'crimped' in the shape of a 'U' whose outto-out distance is usually one inch. The actual crimped portion of the angle is only a few inches on each end and the end is inserted between top or bottom chord members to be welded.
Critical Load
The load at which deflection of a member or structure occurs as determined by stability analysis.
Curb
A raised edge of a concrete floor slab or support for a mechanical unit.
Curtain Wall
A non-load bearing exterior wall which carries only its own weight and wind load.
Curvature
The rotation per unit length of a member due to bending forces.
Cut-List
A list of components with dimensions used for fabrication and accounting purposes. See Bill of Materials.
Damping
For floor vibrations, it is the rate of decay of amplitude.
Dead Load
Loads due to the weight of the components making up the structure and that are intended to remain permanently in place.
Deck
A floor or roof covering made out of gage metal attached by welding or mechanical means to joists, beams, purlins, or other structural members and can be galvanized, painted, or unpainted.
Deck Type
The specific type of deck to be specified, such as Type "B" Wide Rib, Type "F" Intermediate, Type "N" Deep Rib, Type "A" Narrow Rib, Composite, Cellular, etc.
Deflection
The displacement of a structural member or system under load.
Deformation
The act of distorting or changing the shape or dimensions of a structural element or body resulting from forces or stresses.
Depth of Joist
The out-to-out distance from the top of the top chord to the bottom of the bottom chord taken a some reference location, usually at the midspan of the joist or joist girder.
Design Documents
The plans, details, sections, specifications, etc. prepared by the building designer.
Design Length
The 'span' of a joist or joist girder in feet minus 0.3333 feet.
Design Loads
The loads specified in the contract drawings or specifications which a building is to be designed for.
Design Strength
The resistance provided by a structure, member, or connection to the forces imposed on it.
Diagonal Bracing
Structural members which are inclined and are usually carrying axial load which enable a structural frame to behave as a truss to resist horizontal loads.
Diagonal Bridging
Two angles or other structural shapes connected from the top chord of one joist to the bottom chord of the next joist to form an 'X' shape whose l/r ratio cannot exceed 200. The bridging members are almost always connected at their point of intersection.
Diaphragm
Roof panel or decking, metal wall, or floor slab which provides a larger in-plane shear stiffness and strength adequate to transmit horizontal forces to the resisting structural system.
Diaphragm Action
The resistance to a racking affect or in-plane shear forces offered by roof deck, panels, or other structural members when properly attached to a structural frame.
Double Curvature
When end moments on a structural member produce a bending effect which cause the member to form an S shape or has a reversal in curvature.
Downstanding Leg
The leg of a structural angle which is projecting down from you when viewing.
Drift
The lateral movement or deflection of a structure.
Drift Index
The ratio of the lateral deflection to the height of the building.
Drift Pin
A tapered pin used during the erection process to align holes in steel members which are to be connected by bolting.
Duct
Any tube, pipe or other conduit by which air or fluid is transfered.
Duct Opening
The round or square opening required through the web system of a joist or joist girder to allow passage of a duct.
Ductility
Is the ability of a material to withstand large inelastic deformations without fracture. Structural steel has considerable ductility.
Ductility Factor
The ratio of the total deformation at maximum load to the elastic-limit deformation.
Dynamic Load
A load that varies with time which includes repeative loads, seismic loads, and other loads created by rapid movement.
Eave
The line along the sidewall of a building formed by the intersection of the plane of the roof and the plane of the wall.
Eave Height
The vertical distance from finished floor to the eave.
Eave Strut
A structural member located at the eave of a building which supports a roof and/or wall panels.
Eccentric
The condition that exists when a load is applied on a line of action that does not pass through the centroid of the body it is applied to.
Eccentricity
The distance between a line of action of force and the centroid of the member it is applied to.
Edge Angle
1) A structural angle that is connected around the edge of a joist extension or other member 2) An angle used around the sides of a floor to contain the concrete when it is being poured which is also called a Pour Stop.
Edge Distance
The distance from the center of a hole to the edge of a connected part.
Edge Strip
The width or region around the edges of a building where uplift values are higher than in the interior of the roof.
Effective Depth
The distance from the centroid of the top chord to the centroid of the bottom chord.
Effective Length
The equivalent length, KL, used in compression formulas. This method estimates the interaction effects of the total frame on a compression member by using K factors to equate the strength of a framed compression member of length L to an equivalent pin-ended member of length KL subject to axial load only.
Effective Length Factor (K)

The ratio between the effective length and the unbraced length of a member measured between center of gravities of the bracing members. K values are given for several idealized conditions in which joint rotation and translation are realized.
Effective Moment of Inertia

The moment of inertia of the cross section of a member that remains elastic when partial plastification takes place. See Moment of Inertia.
Effective Width
The transverse distance indicating the amount of slab that acts in conjuction with the supporting member.
EJ
Abbrevbation for 'Expansion Joint'.
Elastic Analysis
The analysis of a member which assumes that material deformation disappears on removal of the force that produced it and the material returns to its original state.
Elastic Design
See Allowable Stress Design and Working Stress Design.
Electrode
The device through which current is conducted thru to the arc or base metal during the process of welding.
Embedment
A steel member such as a plate, bolt, stud, or bar cast into a concrete structure which is used to transmit applied loads to the concrete.
End Bay
The bay which is located from the end of a building to the first interior main frame.
End Diagonal or Web

The first web member on either end of a joist or joist girder which begins at the top chord at the seat and ends at the first bottom chord panel point.
End Distance
The horizontal distance from the first top chord panel point at the end of a joist to the first bottom chord panel point.
End Lap
The lap at the end of a sheet of deck which bears over the primary support (joist or beam).
End Moment
A moment which is generated at one end or both ends of a joist, joist girder, or beam due to continuous frame action which can be caused by wind, live load, or dead load moment.
End Panel
The distance from the panel point at thejoist seat to the first top chord panel point towards the interior.
End Wall
An exterior wall which is perpendicular to the ridge of the building.
Envelope
A graphical plot indicating the maximum magnitude of an internal force effect such as flexual stess, shear stress, axial stress, torsional stress, etc. due to a series of load combinations.
EOD
Abbreviation for 'Edge of Deck'.
EOJ
Abbreviation for 'Edge of Joist'.
EOS
Abbreviation for 'Edge of Slab'.
Equations of Equilibrium
The equations relating a state of static equilibrium of a member or structure when the resultant of all forces and moments are equal to zero. Three equations must be fulfilled simultaneously: Sum of the forces in the X-direction must equal zero, sum of the forces in the Y-direction must equal zero, and the sum of the moments about any point must equal zero for a two dimensional structure.
Equivalent Uniform Load

A uniform load (in plf) derived from the maximum reaction (in lbs) or the maximum moment (in inch-lbs) of a member carrying various loads. Formula: Weq= 2 * max. reaction (in lbs) divided by length (in feet) or Weq=(8 * max. moment) divided by (lenght^2 (in feet) * 12)
Erection
The process of installing joists, joist girders, beams, bridging, deck, or other structural members in order to construct a structure.
Erection Plan
Floor or roof plans that identify individual marks, components, and accessories furnished by the joist manufactures in a detailed mannner to permit proper erection of the joist and joist girders. See Framing Plan and Placing Plan.
Erector
The person or company that actually does the erecting of the joist or joist girders for a job.
Expansion Joint
A break in construction or a special design detail to allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the materials of a structure.
Extended End
The extended part of a joist top chord with also the seat angles extended from the end of the jost extension back into the joist maintaining the standard 2 1/2 inch end bearing depth over the entire length of the extension.
Fabrication
The manufacturing process to convert raw materials into a finished product by cutting, punching, welding, cleaning, and painting.
Factor of Safety
Is the ratio of the ultimate load for a member divided by the allowable load for a member and must always be greater than unity.
Factored Load
The product of the nominal load and a load factor.
Farside
For joists and joist girders, when looking at the member with the tagged end to the right, it is the side that is opposite the side you see first.
Fascia
The flat surface located at the outer end of a roof overhang or cantilever end or also a decorative trim or panel which projects from the face of a wall.
Fastener
Term for a connecting device such as a weld, bolt, rivet, etc.
FC
Abbreviation for 'Field Cut'.
Field
A term used for the jobsite or building site where construction of the project will take place.
Field Weld
The specific term used for the welding of structural members out at the actual jobsite and not in a fabricators shop.
Filler
A rod, plate, or angle welded between a two angle web member or between a top or bottom chord panel to tie them together usually located at the middle of the member. See Tie or Plug.
Finish
In deck terminology, the coating on the deck sheet, i.e., galvanized, painted, or unpainted.
Finish Strip
A roof deck accessory made out of gage metal for finishing out runs of deck for small areas of coverage where full sheet coverage is impractical.
Fire Proofing
The process of coating a structural steel member with a fire retardant material to make the member resistant to fire.
Fire-Resistance
The ability of a joist or other structural member to resist a fire due to the type of protection it has, such as membrane protection or spray on protection. There are
hundreds of floor-ceiling or roof-ceiling assemblies with their fire-resistance rating given in the Underwriters Laboratory Fire Directory.
Fixed-End Support
A condition where no rotation or horizontal or vertical movement can occur at that end. This type of support has no degrees of freedom. Three reactive forces exist at the rigidly fixed end. See also Rigid Connection.
Flange
The projecting edge of a structural member.
Flange Brace
A structural bracing member used to provide lateral support to the flange of a beam, the bottom chord or a joist girder, or a column.
Flashing
Pieces of sheet metal or the like used to cover and protect joints, etc. where a roof comes in contact with a wall or chimney.
Flute
The fold or bend in a sheet of deck which forms a groove or furrow.
Folding Partition
A moveable wall on a track suspended from a joist or beam which usually folds like an accordion and can be stored in a closet or pocket in a wall.
Footing
A concrete pad or mat located under a column, wall, or other structural member that distributes loads from that member into the supporting soil.
Foundation
The substructure which supports a building or other structure.
Frame
A structural framing system consisting of members joined together with moment or rigid connections which maintain their original angular relationship under load without the need for bracing in its plane. See Rigid Frame.
Framed Opening
Headers or other structural members which surround an opening in a roof which can be for mechanical units, straiwells, etc.
Framing Plan
Floor or roof plans that identify individual marks, components, and accessories furnished by the joist manufactures in a detailed mannner to permit proper erection of the joist and joist girders. See Erection Plan and Placing Plan.
Free-Body Diagram
A diagram on which all of the external forces acting on a body are shown at their respective points of application.
Frequency
A measure of floor vibration. It is the speed of the oscillations of vibration and is expressed in cycles per second or Hz (Hertz).
G-Type Joist Girder

A type of Joist Girder where joists are located at panel points where diagonal webs intersect the top chord only.
Gable
The triangular portion of a roof located above the elevation of the eave line of a double sloped roof.
Gable Joist
A non-standard type of joist where the top chord is double pitched at an extreme pitch (say 3/12) and the bottom chord is straight or level.
Gage
1) The thickness of a sheet of deck or 2) The distance from centerline hole to center line hole across a set of holes, usually perpendicular to the joist or joist girder.
Galvanized
The process of coating steel with zinc for corrosion resistance.
Gambrel
A roof having two slopes on each side, the lower slope usually steeper than the upper one.
Girder
A main horizontal, primary structural member spanning between two main supports which carries other members or vertical loads.
Girt
A horizontal structural member that is attached to the sidewall or endwall columns supporting sheeting or paneling.
Grade
The ground elevation around a building.
Grillage Beam
A short beam used like a bearing plate to distribute large reactive loads to a wall such as the load from a joist girder.
Gusset Plate
A steel plate used to connect structural steel members or to reinforce members. It is usually inserted between the top or bottom chord of a joist or joist girder.
H-Series Joist
A series of joist adopted in 1961 so proportioned that the allowable tension or bending stress does not exceed 22,000 psi or 30,000 psi depending on whether 36 ksi or 50 ksi yield steel was used.
Hardness
Is a measure of the resistance of a material to scratching and indention.
Header
A structural member located between two joists or between a joist and a wall which carries another joist or joists. Usually made up of an angle, channel, or beam with saddle angle connections on each end for bearing.
Heel
The outside point of a structural angle where the two perpendicular legs intersect.
High Strength Bolts (HSB)

A structural steel bolt having a tensile strength greater than 100,000 pounds per square inch, usually A325 or A490.
High Strength Steel

Structural steel having a yield stress greater than 36,000 pounds per square inch.
Hinge Support
This type of support has one degree of freedom, it can freely rotate about its axis but it cannot displace in any direction. Two mutually perpendicular reactive forces exist at the hinge and their lines of action pass through the center of the hinge. See Pin Connection or Support.
Hip Roof
A roof which slopes from all four sides of a building. The line where two adjacent sloping sides intersect is called the 'hip'.
Hip and Valley

A system of roof framing where support members form valleys and ridges.
Hoist
A chain or electric lifting device usually attached to a trolly which travels along a monorail or bridge crane.
Homogeneous Material
A material having the same engineering design properties throughout.
Hooke's Law
The linear relationship of forces and deformations, or stresses and strains.
Horizontal Bridging
A continuous angle or other structural shape connected to the top and bottom chord of a joist horizontally whose l/r ratio cannot exceed 300.
Horizontal Shear Stress

Is zero at the outer fibers of a section and is maximum at the neutral axis. It tends to cause one part of the section to slide past the other. Formula: Horizontal Shear stress (in psi)=(V * Q)/I*t, where 'V' is the external vertical shear on the section in lbs, 'I' is the moment of inertia of the section in inches^4, 'Q' is the statical moment about the neutral axis of the entire section of that portion of the cross-section lying outside of the cutting plane and 't' is the width at the cutting plane.
Hot-Rolled Shapes
Structural steel sections which are formed by rolling mills from molten steel which can be angles, channels, W Shapes, S Shapes, etc.
HP Shapes
A hot rolled shape with symbol HP used for bearing piles which have essentially parallel flanges and equal web and flange thickness.
Hysteresis
A term that describes the behavior of a structural member subjected to reversed, repeated load into the inelastic range whose plot of load verses displacement is characterized by loops. The amount of energy dissipated during inelastic loading is indicated by the enclosed area within these loops.
Ice Dam
A dam or blockage formed on a roof by the buildup of ice along the eave of a building.
Impact Factor
The factor by which the static weight is increased by dynamic application.
Impact Load
A weight that is dropped or a dynamic load generated by movement of a live load such as vehicles, crane ways, etc.
Impact Strength
The ability of a material to absorb the energy of a load delivered rapidly to a member.
Impact Wrench
A pneumatic device used to tighten nuts on bolts.
Inclusions
Nonmetallic material which is entrapped in sound metal.
Inelastic Action
Deformation of a material which does not disappear when the force that produced it is removed.
Inflection Point
Represent a point of zero moment in structural member.
Influence Line
An influence line is a curve whose ordinates give the values of some particular function (shear, moment, reaction, etc.) in an element due to a unit load acting at the point corresponding to the particular ordinate being considered. Influence lines for statically determinate structures are straight lines and for statically indeterminate structures the lines are curved and their construction involves considerable analysis.
Instability
A condition reached when a structure or structural member is loaded in which continued deformation results in a decrease in its load-resisting capacity.
Insulation
Any material used to reduce heat transfer in a roof or building.
Intermittent Weld
A weld which is not continuous. It is broken by recurring unwelded spaces.
Internal Pressure
The pressure inside a building which is a function of the wind velocity and the number and locations of openings.
Interior Bearing
Bearing supports which are interior to two exterior supports.
Isotropic
A material having equal physical properties along all axes.
J-Series Joist
A series of joist adopted in 1961 so proportioned that the allowable tension or bending stress does not exceed 22,000 psi and was made from A36 steel.
Jack Truss
A joist girder that is supporting another joist girder.
JBE
Abbreviation for 'Joist Bearing Elevation'.
Jib Crane
A cantilevered boom or beam with a hoist and trolley used to pick up loads in all or part of a circle around which it is attached
Jig
A device which holds work or pieces of material in a certain position until rigidly fastened or welded during the fabrication process.
Jobsite
The specific location where a structure is being build.
Joint
The area where two or more ends or surfaces are joined by a weld or other fastener. See Panel Point.
Joint Penetration
The minimum depth the weld metal extends from its face into a joint.
Joist
A structural load-carrying member with an open web system which supports floors and roofs utilizing hot-rolled or cold-formed steel and is designed as a simple span member.
Joist Designation
A standard way of communicating the joist safe uniformly distributed loadcarrying capacities for a given span such as 16K5 or 24K10 where the first number is the nominal joist depth at midspan and the last number is the chord size. See Longspan Designation and Joist Girder Designation.
Joist Girder
A primary structural load-carrying member with an open web system designed as a simple span supporting equally spaced concentrated loads of a floor or roof system acting at the panel points of the joist girder and utilizing hot-rolled or cold-formed steel.
Joist Girder Designation

A standard way of communicating the girder design loads such as 48G6N10.5K where the first number is the nominal girder depth at midspan, 6N is the number of joist spaces on the span of girder, and 10.5K is the kip load on each panel point of the girder. The approximate dead load weight of the member is included in the kip load. See Joist Designation and Longspan Designation.
Joist Manufacturer
The producer of joists or joist girders who is SJI approved.
Joist Spacing
The distance from one joist to another.
Joist Substitute
A structural member which is intended for use at very short spans (10 feet or less) where open web steel joists are impractical. They are usually used for short
spans in skewed bays, over corridors, or for outriggers. It can be made up of two or four angles to form channel sections or box sections. See Angle Unit.
K-Distance
The distance from the outside fiber of a rolled steel beam to the web toe of the fillet of a rolled shape.
K-Series Joist
A series of joist adopted in 1986 based on a load/span type of determination.
KCS Joist
Is a K-Series joist that is designed to support uniform load plus concentrated loads or other non-uniform loads.
Kerf
The width of a cut produced during a cutting process.
Key Plan
A small reference plan or outline of the whole building on each plan sheet divided into smaller areas for which each sheet is drawn. It can also show different sequences, phases, sheet number that area is drawn on, etc.
Kicker
A structural member used to brace a joist or beam usually at an angle.
Kilo
SI prefix for 10^3 or 1000.
Kip
A unit of weight equal to 1000 pounds.
Knee Brace
A structural brace positioned diagonally between a beam or column and a joist panel point.
Knife Plate Seat

A vertical plate used as a joist seat whose width is small for bearing purposes. It is used for hip and valley bearing conditions, canted seat conditions, and extreme skewed conditions.
KSI (Kips per Linear Foot)

Is 1000 pounds per square inch.
KSF (Kips per Square Foot)

Is 1000 kips per square foot.
Lamellar Tearing
Is a separation or crack in the base metal caused by through-thickness weld shrinkage strains of adjacent weld metal.
Lap Joint Lateral Buckling

Also called lateral-torsional buckling. This is buckling of a member involving lateral deflection and twist.
Lateral Bracing
Members, fasteners, or welds which brace a member at certain locations to prevent lateral movement.
Lean-To
A structure depending upon another structure for support and having only one slope such as a shed.
Leeward
The direction toward which the wind is blowing, which is opposite the side from which the wind blows. Opposite of windward.
Leg
The flat projecting part of a structural angle.
Leveling Plate
A steel plate used on top of a foundation on which a structural column can be placed.
Lintel
A horizontal structural member spanning a door, window, or other wall opening which supports a wall or any construction immediately above.
Live Load
Loads on a member that are not permanent and are likely to be moved at some point in the life of the structure. They can be loads produced by the use and occupancy of the building. These loads do not include dead load, wind load, snow load, or seismic load.
Load
An external force or other action acting on a member or structure. It can be from permanent construction, environmental effects, differential settlement, occupants, and material objects.
Load Combination
The combination of loads which produce the worse loading condition in a structural member.
Load Table
A table of standard joist designations which give the total safe uniformly distributed load-carrying capacities and live load-carring capacities of the joists for different span lengths. The table also gives the approximate weight per foot of each joist designation.
Loading Diagram
A diagram which shows all design loads and design criteria that a member is to be designed for. The loads include: dead load, live load, snow drift, concentrated loads, moments, etc. The design criteria include: deflection requirements, load combinations, net uplift, one-third increase in allowable stress allowed or not, etc.
Longitudinal
The direction extending along the long axis of the member.
Longspan Designation
A standard way of communicating the longspan joist safe uniformly distributed load-carrying capacities for a given clear span such as 18LH06 or 36LH10 where the first number is the nominal joist depth at midspan and the last number is the section number. See Joist Designation and Joist Girder Designation.
Longspan Joist
A structural load-carrying member with an open web system which supports floors and roofs utilizing hot-rolled or cold-formed steel and is designed as a simple span member. These carry higher loads than a regular joist.
Loose Angle Strut

A single or double angle either welded or bolted at the first bottom chord panel point and extended to brace another member such as a beam, joist girder, frame, or wall.
LRFD (Load and Resistance Factor Design)

A method of proportioning structural members such that no limit state is exceeded when all appropriate load combinations have been applied.
M Shapes
A hot rolled shape called a Miscellaneous Shape with symbol M that cannot be identified as W, HP, or S Shapes.
Major Axis
The axis of a structural member possessing the largest section modulus and radius of gyration, thus having the greatest flexural and axial compressive strength.
Mark
An identification number or method of relating to the erector which joist, joist girder or other separate part of the building goes at what location when being erected, i.e., J1, K25, L7, G12, or JG9. See Piece Mark and Part Number.
Masonry
A type of construction from materials such as concrete blocks, bricks, concrete, stone, or ceramic blocks which is laid unit by unit and set in mortar.
Maxwell Diagram
A graphical method of determining stresses in a truss by combining force polygons of all the joints into one stress diagram.
MC Shapes
A hot rolled shape called a Miscellaneous Channel with symbol MC.
Mechanical Unit
An air conditioner or other unit either placed on top of a roof system or hung below which applies loads to joist or joist girders.
Mega
SI Prefix for 10^6 or 1000000.
Member Release
An idealization to model how members are attached to "each other". It designates whether forces and moments at the ends of a member are considered fixed to or released from the member's point of attachment.
Metal Building System

A building system consisting of a group of coordinated components which have been designed for a certain loading. These components are mass produced and assembled in various combinations with other structural materials to produce a building.
Metal Stud
A structural steel member used for framing walls just as a regular wooden one.
Meuller-Breslau Principle
Is a simple method to draw approximate shapes of influence lines.
Mezzanine
A low floor between two stories in a building, usually just above the ground floor.
MHI (Material Handling Industry)

Is a not-for-profit organization which was formed to advance the interests of the material handling industry which includes the movement, storage, control, and protection of material and products throughout the process of their manufacture, distribution, consumption, and disposal.
Mil
A measurement of thickness of paint. One mil=.001 of an inch.
Milled
A surface which has been accurately sawed or finised to a true plane.
Mill Test Report

A report of a heat of steel that indicates the customer's order number, grade of steel, number and dimensions of pieces shipped, and the chemical compositional makeup of hot rolled structural steel members. It also indicates physical properties, such as, yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, impact, and ultimate strength.
Milli
SI prefix for 10^-3 or 0.001
Minor Axis
The axis of a structural member possessing the smallest section modulus and radius of gyration, thus having the least flexural and axial compressive strength.
Miter Cut
A single cut made at an angle to the member length. See Bevel Cut.
Modulus of Elasticity (E)

Is the slope of the straight-line portion of the stress-strain curve in the elastic range found by dividing the unit stress in ksi by the unit strain in in/in. For all structural steels, the value is usually taken as 29,000 ksi. This is also called Young's Modulus.
Moment
The tendency of a force to cause a rotation about a point or axis which in turn produces bending stresses.
Moment Connection
A connection designed to transfer moment as well as axial and shear forces between connecting members.
Moment Diagram
A diagram that represents graphically the moment at every point along the length of a member.
Moment of Inertia (I)

A physical property of a member which helps define rigidity or stiffness and is expressed in inches raised to the fourth power. It is a measure of the resistance to rotation offered by a section's geometry and size.
Moment Plate
A welded steel plate used to develop a rigid connection to the supporting member so that moment transfer can occur.
Monorail
Usually a single rail support for a material handling system.
MT
A hot rolled structural tee shape with symbol MT which is cut or split from M Shapes.
Mullion
A vertial member or division between the panels of a window.
Mylar
A type of strong, thin polyester sheet used for producing blueprints of architectural drawings.
Nailers
Strips of lumber attached to the top chord of a joist so plywood or other flooring can be nailed at 36 inches maximum on center.
Nearside
For joists and joist girders, when looking at the member with the tagged end to the right, it is the side you see first and is closest to you.
Neutral Axis
The surface in a member where the stresses change from compression to tension, i.e., represents zero strain and therefore zero stress. The neutral axis is perpendicular to the line of applied force.
Newton
The SI unit of measure for force (N).
NIC
Abbreviation for 'Not in Contract'.
Non-Bearing Wall
A wall that supports no vertical load other than its own weight.
Noncompact Section
A steel section which does not qualify as a compact section and the widththickness ratios of its compression elements do not exceed the values designated in the AISC Manual.
Nonrigid Structure
A structure which cannot maintain its shape and may undergo large displacements and would collapse under its own weight when not supported externally.
NTS
Abbreviation for 'Not to Scale'.
Offset Ridge
When the ridge of a joist that has the top chord pitched two ways is not in the center of the member or bay.
On The Flat
A measurement of distance horizontally on a plan, no slopes involved.
One-third Increase
When designing steel members for forces produced by wind or seismic conditions, the allowable stresses in the design formulas may be increased 1/3 above the values otherwise provided.
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

A federal organization whose purpose is to save lives, prevent injuries, and protect the health of the workers of America.
Outrigger
A structural member which is usually perpendicular to a joist and attaches under the outstanding leg of one of the joist top chord angles. It then bears on a beam or wall and cantilevers across, similar to a top chord extension.
Outstanding Leg
The leg of a structural angle which is projecting toward or away from you when viewing.
Overhang
The extension of the top chord of a joist beyond the outside of the bearing support. See Top Chord Extension.
P-Delta Effect
The secondary effect of column axial loads and lateral deflection on the moments in structural members.
Pack Out
When joists are erected in multiple bays, they begin to hit each other end to end (or pack out) because the center to center of beam is not true or the joists are to long.
Panel or Panel Length

1) The distance between two adjacent panel points of a joist or joist girder 2) A sheet of deck for a roof or floor.
Panel Point
The point where one or more web members intersect the top or bottom chords of a joist or joist girder. See Joint.
Parallel Chord
Type of joist or joist girder which has its top and bottom chords parallel to each other. The member can be sloped and still have parallel chords.
Parapet
The portion of a vertical wall of a building which extends above the roof line at the intersection of the wall and roof.
Part Number
See Mark and Piece Mark.
Partially Restrained
A type of connection that displays a moment rotation behavior that can neither be described as pinned nor fixed.
Partition
A wall that is one story or less in height used to subdivide the interior space in a building and can be a bearing wall or a non-bearing wall.
Pascal
The SI unit of measure for stress or force per unit area (N/m^2).
PE
Abbreviation for 'Professional Engineer'.
Peak
The highest point of a gable or also the highest point on a joist or joist girder where the sloped chords meet. See also Apex.
Penthouse
A small enclosed structure above the roof of a building.
Permit
An official document or certificate by a governmental agency or building official authorizing performance of a building process or other specified activity.
Piece Mark
See Mark and Part Number.
Pilaster
A reinforced or enlarged portion of a masonry wall to provide support for vertical roof loads or lateral loads on the wall.
Pin Connection or Support

A connection where no moment is transfered from one member to another, only axial and shear forces. This type of support has one degree of freedom, it can freely rotate about its axis but it cannot displace in any direction. Two mutually
perpendicular reactive forces exist at the pin and their lines of action pass through the center of the pin. See Hinge Support.
Pipe
A hollow cylinder of metal used for the conveyance of water or gas or used as a structural column which comes in sizes of standard, extra strong and doubleextra strong.
Pipe Bridge
A structural system where two joists are used to carry loads such as piping or ducts. The two joists have to have diagonal bridging and their top and bottom chords have to be laced together with structural members to provide stability for the whole structure,
Pitch
Is the slope or inclination of a member. It is defined as the ratio of the total rise to the total width. It also is defined as the angle that the top chord makes with the lower chord. There can be single or double pitched members.
Placing Plan
See Erection Plan and Framing Plan.
Plan North
The North arrow symbol on a contract drawing usually 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the plan so that communication will be easier for the elevations of the building, sections, etc.
Plane Frame
A two-dimensional structural framework.
Plastic Design
A design concept based on multiplying the actual design loads by a suitable load factor and then using the yield stress as the maximum stress in any member.
Plate
A thin, flat piece of metal of uniform thickness usually over 8 inches to 48 inches in width.
Plate Girder
A built-up structural beam.
PLF (Pounds per Linear Foot)

A unit of load obtained by multiplying pounds per square foot times the tributary width on a joist.
Plug
A rod, plate, or angle welded between a two angle web member or between a top or bottom chord panel to tie them together usually located at the middle of the member. See Tie or Filler.
Plug Weld
A weld in a slot in a piece of steel which overlaps another piece. A principle use for a plug weld is to transmit shear in a lap joint. See Slot Weld and Puddle Weld.
Poisson's Ratio
Defined as the ratio of the unit lateral strain to the unit longitudinal strain. It is constant for a material within the elastic range. For structural steel, the value is usually taken as 0.3. It gradually increases beyond the proportional limit, approaching 0.5.
Polar Moment of Inertia (J)

Is the sum of any two moments of inertia about axes at right angles to each other. It is taken about an axis which is perpendicular to the plane of the other two axes.
Ponding
The gathering of water at low or irregular areas on a roof.
Portal Frame
A rigid frame structure which is designed to resist longitudial loads where diagonal bracing is not permitted. It has rigidity and stability in its plane.
Pounds (LB or #)
A unit of weight.
Pour Stop
An angle used around the sides of a floor to contain the concrete when it is being poured.
Powder Actuated
A fastening method which uses a powdered charge to imbed the fastener into the member.
Prefabricate
To manufacture or construct parts or sections of structural assemblies beforehand that are ready for quick assembly and erection at a jobsite.
Press Brake
A machine used in cold-forming metal sheet or strip into a desired cross section or structural shape.
Primary Members
This is the main load carrying members of a structure such as a beam or joist girder.
Principle of Superposition
States that the resultant is the algebraic sum of the effects when applied separately.
Primer or Paint
The initial coating of a member applied in the shop which is not a finish coat and only protects from rust for a limited time.
Prismatic Beam
A beam with uniform cross section.
Profile Drawing
A drawing or diagram which shows the outline of a joist with dimensions and also maybe the web system configuration and bridging rows. See Side-View Diagram
Proportional Limit
The point on a stress-strain curve where the linear relationship between stress and strain ends and usually coincides with the material yield point.
PSI (Pounds per Square Inch)

A unit of stress or pressure.
PSF (Pounds per Square Foot)

A unit of stress which to multiply the tribituary width on a joist by to get PLF.
Puddle Weld
See Plug Weld.
Purlin
Usually a cold-formed horizontal structural member attached perpendicular to the joist top chord or main frames of a building for support of the roof deck.
Radius of Gyration (r)

Is the distance from the neutral axis of a section to an imaginary point at which the whole area of the section could be concentrated and still have the same moment of inertia. Formula: The square root of (the moment of inertia in inches^4 divided by the area of the section in inches^2) expressed in inches.
Rafter
The main beam supporting a roof system or a sloping roof framing member.
Rake
The edge of a roof which intersects the gable part of a roof.
Reaction
The force or moment developed at the points of a support.
Redundants
The reactions which are not necessary for static equilibrium.
Reinforcement
An additional member added to a structural member to provide additional strength.
Reinforcing
The process of strengthening a member with some additional piece of material.
Relaxation
Is a decrease in load or stress of a member under a sustained constant deformation.
Repair
The reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing structure or building for the purpose of its maintenance.
Residual Stress
Pre induced stresses within a structural member due to uneven cooling of the shape after hot-rolling.
Resistance
The capacity of a structure or structural member to resist the effects of loads or forces imposed on it.
Retaining Wall
A wall designed to resist the lateral displacement of soil, water, or any other type of material.
Rib
A fabricated fold or bend in a sheet of deck which projects up from a horizontal plane.
Ridge
The highest point on the roof of a building formed by two intersecting slopes or the horizontal line made by the top surfaces of the two intersecting sloping roof surfaces.
Rigid Connection
A connection where moment is transfered from one member to another. See also Fixed-End Support.
Rigid Frame or Structure

A structural framing system consisting of members joined together with moment or rigid connections which maintain their original angular relationship under load without the need for bracing in its plane. See Frame and Stability.
Rise
The vertical distance from the bottom to the top of an entity.
Rod
A smooth solid round bar used for the web system of a bar joist.
Roof Covering
The exposed exterior roof skin of a building which can be sheets, panels or other materials.
Roof Overhang
A roof extension that projects beyond the ends or sides of a building.
Roller Support
This type of support has two degrees of freedom, it can freely rotate about its axis or displace in one direction in the plane. Only one reactive force exists at a roller which acts perpendicular to the path of the displacement and its line of action passes through the center of the roller.
S Shapes
A hot rolled shape called an American Standard Beam with symbol S.
Saddle Angle
The angle connection or seat on the end of a header or frame which bears from the side on the top chord of a joist. This angle should be designed to carry the reaction of the header or frame to the center of the joist and must rest on and weld to both top chord angles.
Sag Rod
A tension member used to limit the deflection of a girt or purlin in the direction of the weak axis.
Scab On
A member fastened or welded to another member for reinforcement.
Scissor Joist
A non-standard type of joist where both the top chord and bottom chord are double pitched and parallel with each other.
Scupper
Any opening or drain in the side of a structure, flat roof, or downspout for the drainage of rain water.
Scuttle
A framed opening in a roof used for access to the roof from inside a building.
Seat Depth
The out-to-out depth of the end bearing shoe or seat of a joist or joist girder which is the distance from the top of the top chord to the bottom of the bearing seat angle or plate.
Section Modulus (S)

A physical property of strength of a structural member. It relates bending moment and maximum bending stress within the elastic range. Formula: S=I/c where 'I' is the moment of inertia of the cross-section about the neutral axis in inches^4 and 'c' is the distance from the neutal axis to the outermost fibers.
Seismic Load
Are assumed lateral forces acting in any horizontal direction that produce stresses or deformations in a structural member due to the dynamic action of an earthquake.
Self Tapping Screw

A mechanical fastener for attaching deck, panels, or other materials to a structure which taps its own threads in a predrilled hole.
Sequence
A breakdown of when materials are to be made or delivered for a project with one following after the other.
Set Back
The distance from the outside edge of an angle or other member to the edge of a gusset plate or angle welded near the end.
Shaft
An interior space, enclosed by walls, which extends through one or more stories or basement which connects successive floors and/or roof for elevators, dumbwaiters, mechanical equipment, etc.
Shape Factor
The ratio of the plastic section modulus Z to the elastic section modulus S or the ratio of the plastic moment Mp to the yield moment My.
Shear
A condition or force causing two contacting parts of a material to slide past each other in opposite directions parallel to their plane of contact.
Shear Center
The point in a cross section of a structural member to which a load may be applied and not induce any torsional stress in the cross section.
Shear Diagram
A diagram that represents graphically the shear at every point along the length of a member.
Shear Release
A boundary condition which constrains a member end from axial displacement and rotation but allows movement in a direction perpendicular to the members longitudinal axis.
Shear Stud Connector

A steel device used in composite design which is welded to the top flange of a beam or top chord of a joist which transfers shear from a concrete slab to the supporting member.
Shear Wall
A wall that resists horizontal shear forces applied in the plane of the wall.
Shim
A piece of steel used to level a joist seat. It can be a bent plate, flat plate or rod.
Shipping List
A list that gives each part or mark number, quantity, length of material, total weight, or other description of each piece of material to be shipped to a jobsite. See also Bill of Ladding.
Shop Drawings
1) Can also be called the erection plans or framing plans 2) The actual drawings used by a shop to fabricate a product which includes all dimensions, materials, tolerances, etc.
Shore
The process of temporarily supporting a structure or structural member with auxiliary members.
SI (Systeme International d'Unites)

The international abbreviation for the International System of Units or metric system.
Side Lap
The lap at the sides of a sheet of deck and is attached by side lap screws or welds between supports.
Side Lap Screws

A screw used to connect the sides of two adjacent sheets of deck together, #10 being the standard size.
Side-View Diagram
A drawing or diagram which shows the outline of a joist with dimensions and also maybe the web system configuration and bridging rows. See Profile Drawing.
Side Wall
An exterior wall which is parallel to the ridge of the building.
Sidesway
The lateral movement of a structure when subjected to lateral loads or unsymmetrical vertical loads.
Simple or Single Span

A span with supports at each end, no intermediate support, that restrain only against vertical displacement with the ends of the member being free to rotate.
Single Curvature
When moments produce a deformed or bent shape of a structural member having a smooth continuous curve or arc.
Single Slope
A sloping roof in one plane which slopes from one wall to the opposite wall.
Single-Ply Roof
A type of roofing system using thermoplastic membranes which are seamed by either hot air or solvent welding of one sheet to the next or using thermoset membranes which are seamed with an adhesive.
Skew
The condition when two entities come together at an angle which is not 90 degrees or perpendicular to each other.
Skylight
An opening or roof accessory in a roof or ceiling for admitting light. If it bears across a joist, the top chord angles may be unbraced for design considerations.
Slag
A non-metallic byproduct of the welding process forming a hard crust over the molten steel which should be chipped away for inspection of a weld.
Slender Element Section

A steel section whose width-thickness ratios of any compression element exceeds the values of a noncompact section.
Slenderness Ratio
The ratio of the effective length of a column to the radius of gyration of the column about the same axis of bending.
Slip-Critical Joint
A bolted joint in which the slip resistance of the connection is required.
Slope
The angle or inclination a structural member makes with reference to a horizontal position expressed in inches of vertical rise per 12 inches of horizontal run, i.e. 3/12.
Slot Length
The length of a slotted hole in a joist bearing seat or other structural connection.
Slot Weld
See Plug Weld.
Snow Drift
The triangular accumulation of snow at high/low areas of structures expressed in PSF or PLF.
Snow Load
Are forces applied to a member by snow accumulation on the roof of a structure.
Soffit
A panel which covers the underside of an overhang, cantilever end, or mansard.
Soil Pressure
The load per unit area that a structure exerts through its foundation on the underlying soil.
Span
The distance between supports which is the centerline of a beam, column, or joist girder or 4 inches onto a wall.
Spandrel Joist or Beam

A structural member at the outside wall of a building, supporting part of the floor or roof and possibly the wall above.
Special Design
A design required by a loading diagram or other special notes because a standard joist or joist girder cannot be specified from a load table.
Specification
The detailed description of requirements, materials, dimensions, etc. of a proposed building or project.
Specifying Professional
An architect or engineer, registered or licensed to practice professional architecture or engineering, as defined by the statutory requirements of the professional registration laws. See Building Designer.
Splice
The connection between two chord members or other structural members joined at their ends by welding or bolting to form a single, longer member.
Splice plate
W8 x 28
W8 x 28
Splice plate
C.L.
Sprinkler System
A system for fire protection usually consisting of overhead piping connected to a water supply to which automatic sprinklers are attached that discharges water in a specific pattern for extinguishment or control of a fire.
Square
In deck terminology, it is the term for 100 square feet of deck or roofing surface. Formula: number of squares = sum of(length of deck sheet in feet * width of deck sheet in feet * number of pieces)divided by 100.
Square Cut
A cut to a structural member made at 90 degrees to the length of the member.
SSR (Standing Seam Roof)

A type of roof system where the deck is attached to clips which are then attached to the beam or joist. Usually this type of roof system cannot be counted on to provide lateral stability or support to the joist top chord.
ST
A hot rolled structural tee shape with symbol ST which is cut or split from S Shapes.
Stability
The property of a body to maintain its shape and remain rigid when detached from its support. Also see Rigid Frame or Structure.
Stabilizer Plate
A steel plate at a column or wall inserted between the end of a bottom chord of a joist or joist girder to weld the bottom chord to or to restrain the bottom chord from lateral movement.
Starter Joist
A joist which is spaced close to a wall for deck support, usually 6 inches.
Static Equilibrium
A member or body that is initally at rest and remains at rest when acted upon by a system of forces.
Static Load
A load applied slowly and then remains nearly constant.
Statically Determinate
A member or structure that can be analyzed and the reactions and forces determined from the equations of equilibrium.
Statically Indeterminate
A member or structure that cannot be analyzed soley by the equations of statics. It contains unknowns in excess of the number of equilibrium equations available. Additional equations must be written based on a knowledge of elastic deformations.
Stiffener
A member used to strengthen another member against buckling or to distribute load or to transfer shear. Usually a flat bar, plate, or angle welded perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the member.
Stiffness
The resistance to deformation of a structural member which can be measured by the ratio of the applied force to the corresponding displacement.
Story
That portion of a building which is between the upper surface of any floor and the upper surface of the floor next above.
Story Drift
The difference in horizontal deflection at the top and bottom of a story.
Strain Hardening
The condition when ductile steel exhibits the capacity to resist additional load than that which caused initial yielding after undergoing deformation at or just above the yield point.
Stress
An internal force that resists a load. It is the intensity of force per unit of area, i.e., psi (pounds per square inch).
Stress Concentration
A localized stress which is considerably higher than average due to sudden changes in loading or sudden changes in geometry.
Stringer
In buildings, a structural member supporting stair steps.
Strong Axis
The cross section which has the major principal axis.
Structure
A mechanism designed and built or constructed of various parts jointed together in some definite manner to carry loads and resist forces.
Structural Steels
A large number of steels that are suitable for load-carrying members in a variety of structures because of strength, economy, ductility, and other properties. Strength levels are obtained by varying the chemical composition and by heat treatment.
Strut
A structural member used as a brace to resist axial forces.
Stud
A wood or metal vertical wall member to which exterior or interior covering material may be attached. It can be either load bearing or non-load bearing.
Suction
A partial vacuum due to wind loads on a building which cause a load in the outward direction.
Sump Pan
A metal deck accessory used at drain locations to close the opening where holes are cut in the metal deck.
Superimposed Load
Usually means a load that is in addition to the dead weight of the bar joists and bridging.
Sweep
The curvature of a structural member in the perpendicular transverse direction of its vertical axis.
Tagged End (T.E.)

This is the end of a joist or joist girder where an identification or piece mark is shown by a metal tag. The member must be erected with this tagged end in the same position as the tagged end noted on the erection plan.
Tangent Modulus
The slope of the stress-strain curve of a material in the inelastic range at any given stress level.
Tee
A hot rolled shape with symbol T and is shaped like a "T".
Tempory Structure
Anything which is built which will not become part of the permanent structural system and will eventually be removed before or after the completion of the structure.
Tensile Strength
The longitudinal pulling stress a material can withstand without tearing apart or the maximum tensile stress the material can sustain.
Tension
A condition caused by the action of stretching or pulling of a component.
Tensile Strength
Or ultimate strength, is the largest unit stress a material can achieve in a tensile test.
Thermal Block
A spacer which has a low thermal conductance.
Thrust
The horizontal component of a reaction or an outward horizontal force.
Tie
A rod, plate, or angle welded between a two angle web member or between a top or bottom chord panel to tie them together usually located at the middle of the member. See Filler or Plug.
Tie Joist
A joist that is bolted at a column.
Tilted Joist
A joist which is supported in a manner such that the vertical axes of the joist is not perpendicular with respect to the ground.
Toe
The outside points of each leg of a structural angle.
Toe of Fillet
1) The end or termination edge of a fillet weld 2)The end or termination edge of a rolled section fillet.
Toe of Weld
The junction between the face of a weld and the base metal.
Ton
A unit of weight equal to 2000 pounds.
Top Chord
The top member of a joist or joist girder.
Top Chord Bearing

The bearing condition of a joist or joist girder that bears on its top chord seat.
Top Chord Extension (TCX)

The extended part of a joist top chord only. This type has only the two top chord angles extended past the joist seat. See Overhang.
Torque Wrench
A wrench containing an adjustable mechanism for measuring and controlling the amount of turning force exerted when used to tighten nuts and bolts.
Torsion Loads
A load that causes a member to twist about its longitudinal axis. Simple torsion is produced by a couple or moment in a plane perpendicular to the axis.
TOS
Abbreviation for 'Top of Steel'.
Toughness
The ability of a steel to absorb large amounts of energy without being readily damaged.
Transverse
Crossing from side to side or placed crosswise.
Tribuitary Width or Area

The design area which contributes load to a structural member. It is one half the distance between members on either side of the member.
Trimmer Joist
One of the joists supporting a header. The header applies a concentrated load at that point on the trimmer joist.
Truss
In general, a structural load-carrying member with an open web system designed as a simple span with each member designed to carry a tension or compression force. The entire structure act will act like a beam.
Tube
A hollow structural steel member shaped like a square or rectangle used as a beam, column, or for bracing. Usually the nominal outside corner radius is equal to two times the wall thickness.
Turnbuckle
A rotating sleeve or link with internal screw threads at each end and used to tighten or connect the ends of a rod.
Turn-of-the-Nut-Method
A method for pre-tensioning high-strength bolts by the rotation of the wrench a predetermined amount after the nut has been tightened to a snug fit.
UBC (Uniform Building Code)

A minimum model regulatory code for the protection of public health, safety, welfare and property by regulating and controlling the design, construction, quality of materials, use, occupancy, location and maintenance of all buildings and structures within a jurisdiction.
UL (Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.)

A non-profit product safety testing and certification organization.
Ultimate Load
The force necessary to cause rupture.
Ultimate Strength
The maximum stress attained by a structural member prior to rupture which is the ultimate load divided by the orginial cross-sectional area of the member.
Ultimate Strength Design

See LRFD.
Unbraced Frame
A frame providing resistance to lateral load by the bending resistance of the frame members and their connections.
Unbraced Length
The distance between points of bracing of a structural member, measured between the centers of gravity of the bracing members.
Unbraced Top Chord

The specific length where the top chord of a joist has no lateral bracing by deck, bridging, or any other means.
Undercut
A notch or groove melted into the base metal next to the toe or root of a weld and left unfilled by weld metal.
Underslung
Description of a joist which is suspended from upper support points where most of the mass of steel is below the actual support points.
Uniformly Distributed Load

A load or force, for practical purposes, that may be considered constant over the entire length or partial length of the member.
UNO
Abbrevation for 'Unless Noted Otherwise'.
Uplift
The wind load on a member which causes a load in the upward direction. The gross uplift is determined from various codes and is generally a horizontal wind pressure multiplied by a factor to establish the uplift pressure. The net uplift is the gross uplift minus the allowable portion of dead load including the weight of the joist and is the load that the specifying professional shall indicate to the joist manufacturer.
Uplift Bridging
The bridging required by uplift design. Usually always required at the first bottom chord panel point of a K-Series, LH- or DLH-Series joist and at other locations along the bottom chord as required by design.
Upstanding Leg
The leg of a structural angle which is projecting up from you when viewing.
Valley
The angle formed by two sloping sides of a roof.
Value Engineering
The application of the Scientific Method to the study of selecting the optimum or best system that meets the need of the customer.
Vapor Barrier
A physical membrane which prevents moisture or water vapor from penetrating to the other side.
Varying Distributed Load

A load or force, for practical purposes, that may be considered varying over the surface of the member, for example a snow drift.
VG-Type Joist Girder

A type of Joist Girder where joists are located at panel points where vertical webs intersect the top chord only. This type of girder is used for ducts to pass thru since the joists do not interfere with their passage.
Vibration
The oscillating, reciprocating, or other periodic motion of a rigid or elastic body or medium such as a floor when its position or state of equilibrium has been changed.
W Shapes
A hot rolled shape called a Wide Flange Shape with symbol W which has essentially parallel flange surfaces.
Wall
A vertical or near vertical structure which encloses or separates spaces and may be used to resist horizontal or vertical forces or bending forces.
Wall Anchor
A small piece of angle or other structural material that is usually bolted to a wall to which a starter joist or bridging angle is welded or bolted to.
Wall Covering
The exterior wall skin consisting of sheets or panels.
Washer
A flat ring of metal with a hole in the middle used to give thickness to a joint or to distribute pressure under the head of a nut or bolt.
Weak Axis
The cross section which has the minor principal axis.
Weathering Steel
A type of high-strength steel which can be used in normal outdoor environments without being painted. Should not be used in corrosive or marine environments.
Web
1) The vertical or diagonal members joined at the top and bottom chords of a joist or joist girder to form triangular patterns or 2) The portion of a structural member between the flanges.
Web Buckling
The buckling of a web plate.
Web Configuration
The arrangement of the actual web system of a joist or joist girder which can be shown with a profile view of the member.
Web Crippling
The local failure of a web plate in the region of a concentrated load or reaction.
Welded Splice
A splice between two materials which has the joint made continuous by the process of welding.
Welding
The process of joining materials together, usually by heating the materials to a suitable temperature.
Weldability
Is the ability of a steel to be welded without its basic mechanical properties being changed.
Welding Washer
A metal device with a hole through it to allow for plug welding of deck to structural steel.
Wind Column
A vertical member supporting a wall system designed to withstand horizontal wind loads. Usually between two main vertial load carrying columns.
Wind Load
A force or lateral pressure in pounds per square foot that is applied to a member due to wind blowing in any direction.
Windward
The direction or side toward the wind. Opposite of leeward.
Working Drawings
The complete set of architectural drawings prepared by a registered architect.
Working Load
Also called service load, is the actual load that is acting on the structure.
Working Point
The point where two or more centroid lines of structural members intersect.
WRC (Welding Research Council)

This organization conducts cooperative research in welding with interested scientific societies, government departments, and any company using welded products.
WSD (Working Stress Design)

A structural design method whereby a structural element is designed so that the unit stresses computed under the action of working or service loads do not exceed the specified allowable values. See Allowable Stress Design and Elastic Design.
WT
A hot rolled structural tee shape with symbol WT which is cut or split from W Shapes.
X-Brace
Structural bracing which resembles the letter "X".
Yield Point (Fy)

Is that unit stress at which the stress-strain curve exhibits a definite increase in strain without an increase in stress which is less than the maximum attainable stress.
Young's Modulus
See Modulus of Elasticity.
"Z" Section
A structural section in the shape of a "Z" cold formed from a steel sheet.
BOLT GLOSSARY
ACORN NUT A nut (so-called because of its shape) that has a domed top so that it prevents contact with the external thread. AEROTIGHT NUT A torque prevailing nut of all metal construction. The nut is slotted in two places which, after the nut has been tapped, are bent slightly inwards and downwards. When the nut is screwed onto the bolt thread the two slotted parts are forced back to their original position. Their stiffness causes the nut threads to bind onto the bolt threads and thus provides a prevailing torque. ANTI-FRICTION COATING AF coatings are dry lubricants consisting of suspensions of solid lubricants, such as graphite, PTFE or molydbenum disulphide of small particle size in a binder. Such coatings can be applied to fastener threads to replace metallic coatings such as zinc and cadmium and offer maintenance free permanent lubrication. By careful selection of the lubricants, AF coatings can be designed to meet specific applications. The coatings are permanently bonded to the metal surface and provide a lubricating film preventing direct metal to metal contact. ANTI-SEIZE COMPOUND An anti-seize compound is used on the threads of fasteners in some applications. The purpose of the compound depends upon the application. It can prevent galling of mating surfaces - such compounds are frequently used with stainless steel fasteners to prevent this effect from occurring. In some applications it is used to improve corrosion resistance to allow the parts to be subsequently dis-assembled Thirdly, it can provide a barrier to water penetration since the threads are sealed by use of the compound. AUTOLOK NUT A torque prevailing nut of an all metal construction. Covered by UK patent 1180842 the nut is marketed by GKN Screws and Fasteners Limited. ALLOWANCE An intentional clearance between internal or external thread and the design form of the thread when the thread form is on it's maximum metal condition. Not all classes of fit have an allowance. For metric threads the allowance is called the fundamental deviation. ANAEROBIC ADHESIVE An adhesive which hardens in the absence of air, such adhesives are often used as a thread locking medium. ANGLE CONTROLLED TIGHTENING A tightening procedure in which a fastener is first tightened by a pre-selected torque (called the snug torque) so that the clamped surfaces are pulled together, and then is further tightened by giving the nut an additional measured rotation. Frequently bolts are tightened beyond their yield point by this method in order to ensure that a precise preload is achieved. Bolts of short length can be elongated too much by this method
and the bolt material must be sufficiently ductile to cater for the plastic deformation involved. Because of the bolt being tightened beyond yield, its re-use is limited. BASIC THREAD PROFILE This is the theoretical profile of external and internal threads with no manufacturing tolerance applied. BEARING STRESS The surface pressure acting on a joint face directly as a result of the force applied by a fastener. BIHEXAGON HEAD A bolt or screw whose cross section of its head is in the shape of a 12 pointed star. BLACK BOLTS AND NUTS The word black refers to the comparatively wider tolerances employed and not necessarily to the colour of the surface finish of the fastener. BOLT A bolt is the term used for a threaded fastener, with a head, designed to be used in conjunction with a nut. BREAKAWAY TORQUE The torque necessary to put into reverse rotation a bolt that has not been tightened. BREAKLOOSE TORQUE The torque required to effect reverse rotation when a pre-stressed threaded assembly is loosened. BRITISH STANDARD BRASS A specialist thread form based upon the Whitworth thread and consisting of 26 threads per inch whatever the thread diameter. BSF British Standard Fine. A thread form based upon the British Standard Whitworth form but with a finer thread (more threads per inch for a given diameter). This thread form was first introduced in 1908, the thread form is specified in BS 84: 1956. BSW British Standard Whitworth. A thread form developed by Sir Joseph Whitworth in 1841. The thread form has rounded roots and crests, the thread form is specified in BS 84: 1956. This thread form was superseded by the Unified thread in 1948 and then the metric thread form. BUMP THREAD A modified thread profile patented and trade mark of the Bosco Tool Inc. The thread form has a small projection at the pitch diameter that eliminates the clearance from the thread assembly on both flanks. By doing this it is claimed that resistance to vibration loosening is significantly improved. CADMIUM ELECTROPLATING Coating of threaded fasteners with cadmium can provide the parts with excellent corrosion resistance. The appearance of the coating is bright silver or yellow if subsequently passivated. The friction values associated with this coating are also comparatively low. A chromate conversion coating is frequently applied to the surface to improve corrosion resistance. Cadmium is not now frequently used because of the environmental and worker health problems associated with the coating process and should not be used in applications above 250C or when contact with food is possible. CLAMPING FORCE The compressive force which a fastener exerts on the joint. CLASS OF FIT
The Class of Fit is a measure of the degree of fit between mating internal and external threads. Three main Classes of Fit are defined for metric screw threads : FINE: This has a tolerance class of 5H for internal threads and 4h for external threads. MEDIUM: This has a tolerance class of 6H for internal threads and 6g for external threads. COARSE: This has a tolerance class of 7H for internal threads and 8g for external threads. For Unified threads, a similar designation as for metric threads is used. The thread classes used are 1A, 2A and 3A for external threads and 1B, 2B and 3B for internal threads. CLEVELOC NUT A torque prevailing nut of all metal construction. The collar of the nut is elliptical in cross section and it is this that provides the flexible locking element. The nut is prelubricated to reduce the tightening torque. Cleveloc is a registered trade name of Forest Fasteners. COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION A dimensionless number representing the ratio of the friction force to normal force. Typically for threaded connections it is between 0.10 to 0,18 but can vary significantly depending upon the materials used and whether a lubricant has been used. COMMINGLING A term used to describe the undesirable practice of mixing fasteners from different batches that are the same size and grade in the same container. CONE PROOF LOAD This is an axial applied force applied to a nut when it is seated on a cone shaped washer which has an included angle of 120 degrees. Failure in this test is usually due to the nut splitting. The intention of the test is to introduce a nut dilation operation which will assess the potential detrimental effects of surface discontinuities. This type of test is sometimes applied to nuts which are intended for high temperature service. DECOMPRESSION POINT The point at which there is zero pressure at the joint interface as a result of forces applied to the joint. If the applied force is increased beyond the decompression point, a gap will form at the interface. Analytically, a criteria of joint failure is often taken as when the applied force on the joint reaches the decompression point. This is because forces acting on the bolt(s) can dramatically increase at this point. Loading beyond this point can also result in fretting at the interface that will lead to bolt tension loss that will subsequently lower the decompression point. This process can continue until bolt failure does occur. The failure can be by fatigue or other mechanism but the underlying cause was loading of the joint beyond the decompression point. It is for this reason that it is frequently taken as a failure criteria in analysis work. DACROMET A high performance surface coating that can be applied to fasteners. The coating consists of passivated zinc flakes that are stoved onto the metal surface. The coating can be coloured and eliminates the risk of hydrogen embrittlement associated with electroplated metal. DACROMET is a registered trademark of Metal Coatings International, Inc. of Chardon Ohio DESIGN FORM OF THREAD
The design form of an internal or external thread is the thread form in it's maximum metal condition. It is the same as the basic thread profile except that the thread roots are rounded. If either the internal or external thread form exceeds the design form of the thread profile then a potential interference exists. DIRECT TENSION INDICATORS Direct Tension Indicators (DTI's) is a term sometimes used to describe load indicating washers. Projections on the face of the washer (usually on the face abuting the bolt head or nut) that deform under loading as the bolt is tensioned. An indication of the tension in the bolt can be made by measuring the gap between the washer face and the nut or bolt head. The smaller the gap - the greater the tension in the bolt. Commonly used in civil rather than mechanical engineering applications. DYNAMIC FRICTION Resistance to relative movement of two bodies that are already in motion. EFFECTIVE DIAMETER This is the diameter of an imaginary cylinder coaxial with the thread, which has equal metal and space widths. It is often referred to as pitch diameter. Sometimes referred to as the simple effective diameter to differentiate from the virtual effective diameter. EFFECTIVE NUT DIAMETER Twice the effective nut radius. EFFECTIVE NUT RADIUS The radius from the centre of the nut to the point where the contact forces, generated when the nut is turned, can be considered to act. ELECTROLESS NICKEL A relatively thin, hard coating that can be applied to threads and deposited uniformly. Bright metallic in appearance this coating has excellent resistance to wear and corrosion. EMBEDMENT Localized plastic deformation which occurs in the vicinity of clamped fasteners or in the fastener threads. ENVIRONMENTALLY ASSISTED CRACKING (EAC) A process that can occur with the use of high strength steel fasteners in which crack initiation and growth occurs in the fastener at a comparatively low stress level as a result of interactions that occur with the environment. Hydrogen is suspected of causing EAC in high strength steel fasteners, the hydrogen being produced as a result of chemical reactions (galvanic corrosion in a moist environment) or being present from a plating process that may have been applied to the fastener. EXTERNAL FORCE OR LOAD Forces exerted on a fastener as a result of an applied loading to the joint. EXTERNAL THREAD A screw thread which is formed on an external cylinder, such as on bolts, screws, studs etc. FLOATING TYPE FLANGE JOINT
A conventional flanged joint in which a gasket is compressed by bolts - the gasket is not rigidly located. Calculation methods such as the ASME code in the USA and the EN1591 code in Europe. FLUORO-CARBON THREAD COATING A low friction coating applied to threads. This type of coating is frequently used to prevent thread fouling when an assembly containing threaded fasteners is painted. Unless masked in some way before painting, electro deposited primers can cover the threads. If this occurs assembly difficulties can result unless the expensive chore of cleaning the threads is completed. A fluoro-carbon thread coating eliminates the need for masking or cleaning since paint will not adhere to the coating. This type of coating can also prevent problems caused by weld splatter obstructing the threads of weld nuts during their placement. Such coatings also have the property of reducing the torquetension scatter during tightening. FRICTION Mechanical resistance to the relative movement of two surfaces. There are two main types of friction; STATIC FRICTION and DYNAMIC FRICTION. Typically static friction is greater than dynamic friction. FRICTION STABILIZERS Coating materials used on fasteners with the intention of reducing the scatter in the thread and bearing surface friction coefficients. FUNDAMENTAL DEVIATION An intentional clearance between internal or external thread and the design form of the thread when the thread form is on it's maximum metal condition. For metric threads the fundamental deviation are designated by letters, capitals for internal threads and small letters for external threads. Some tolerance classes have a fundamental deviation of zero. For imperial threads the fundamental deviation is called the allowance. FUNDAMENTAL TRIANGLE HEIGHT The fundamental triangle height is normally designated with the letter H. This is the height of the thread when the profile is extended to a sharp vee form. For 60 degree thread forms such as metric and Unified thread series, H equals 0.866025 times the thread pitch. GALLING A severe form of adhesive wear which occurs during sliding contact of one surface relative to another. Clumps of one part stick to the mating part and break away from the surface. (Can frequently occur when both the nut and bolt are zinc coated.) GRIP LENGTH Total distance between the underside of the nut to the bearing face of the bolt head; includes washer, gasket thickness etc. HARD JOINT A joint in which the plates and material between the nut and bolt bearing surfaces have a high stiffness when subjected to compression by the bolt load. A joint is usually defined as hard if the bolt is tightened to its full torque and it rotates through an angle of 30 degrees or less after it has been tightened to its snug condition. HARDENED WASHERS The force under the head of a bolt or nut can exceed, at high preloads, the compressive yield strength of the clamped material. If this occurs excessive embedding and deformation can result in bolt preload loss. To overcome this hardened washers under the bolt head can be used to distribute the force over a wider area into the clamped material. A more modern alternative is to use a flange headed nuts and bolts. HEAT TIGHTENING
Heat tightening utilises the thermal expansion characteristics of the bolt. The bolt is heated and expands: the nut is indexed (using the angle of turn method) and the system allowed to cool. As the bolt attempts to contract it is constrained longitudinally by the clamped material and a preload results. Methods of heating include direct flame, sheathed heating coil and carbon resistance elements. The process is slow, especially if the strain in the bolt is to be measured, since the system must return to ambient temperature for each measurement. This is not a widely used method and is generally used only on very large bolts. HIGH STRENGTH FRICTION GRIP BOLTS Sometimes abbreviated to HSFG bolts. Bolts which are of high tensile strength used in conjunction with high strength nuts and hardened steel washers in structural steelwork. The bolts are tightened to a specified minimum shank tension so that transverse loads are transferred across the joint by friction between the plates rather than by shear across the bolt shank. HOLD AND DRIVE BOLTS Special bolts that have a tang at the threaded end of the shank. This tang is gripped by the tightening tool during assembly so that the reaction torque is absorbed whilst the nut is tightened from the same side. Such bolts allow what used to have to be done by two men to become a one-man task. HOT BOLTING This term is used for the completion of maintenance work on a bolted joint when the joint is under loading. This can involve the replacement of individual bolts. There are risks both to the joint itself and to health and safety associated with this technique. HYDRAULIC TENSIONER A hydraulic tool used to tighten a fastener by stretching it rather than applying a large torque to the nut. After the fastener has been stretched, the nut is run down the thread to snug up with the joint, the hydraulically applied load is then removed resulting in tension being induced into the fastener. HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT Steel fasteners exposed to hydrogen can fail prematurely at a stress level well below the materials yield strength. Hydrogen embrittlement occurs in fasteners usually as a result of the part being exposed to hydrogen at some time during its manufacturing process but it can also occur through in-service corrosion. Electroplating is generally considered to be a major cause of hydrogen absorption in steel fasteners due to the release of hydrogen during this process. Higher strength steels are more susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement than lower strength steels, however it is considered that there is no lower strength limit. As a rule of thumb, steels below Rockwell C 35 are considered to be far less susceptible. Tests such as the incremental load hydrogen embrittlement test can be completed to assess if hydrogen embrittlement is present in a batch of fasteners. IMPACT WRENCH A wrench, usually powered by electricity or air, in which repeated blows from little hammers are used to generate torque to tighten fasteners. The torque applied to the fastener depends upon the time and the air pressure applied to the tool (for pneumatic wrenches). The torque applied by an impact wrench to a fastener is influenced by the joint stiffness. INSTANTANEOUS CENTRE OF ROTATION The point in space that an eccentrically shear loaded joint rotates about. The deformation and the load sustained by an individual bolt in a bolt group is dependent upon the distance that the bolt is from the instantaneous centre. The direction that the
individual bolt force acts is perpendicular to a line joining that bolt to the instantaneous centre. INTEGRAL FASTENER A term used to describe types of fasteners which are highly resistant to vibration loosening and/or removal. Some types have special thread forms. INTERNAL THREAD A screw thread which is formed in holes, such as in nuts. JAM NUTS See LOCKNUT JOINT CONTROL TIGHTENING See YIELD CONTROLLED TIGHTENING K FACTOR The factor in the torque tightening equation: T=KDF where T is the fastener tightening torque in Newton metres, D is the fastener diameter in metres, F is the fasteners preload in Newtons and K is a factor whose value is often taken as 0.2. The formula gives the approximate tightening torque for standard fasteners used under normal conditions. KEPS A pre-assembled nut and washer assembly (the washer is attached to the nut so that it won't fall off)- a trademark of ITW Shakeproof. The origin of the word came from ShaKEProof. The s on the end being acquired due to them being purchased in quantities usually greater than one. LEFTHAND THREAD A screw thread that is screwed in by rotating counter clockwise. LENGTH OF ENGAGEMENT The axial distance over which an external thread is in contact with an internal thread. LOCK NUT There are two common usage's of this term: 1. A nut which provides extra resistance to vibration loosening by either providing some form of prevailing torque, or, in free spinning nuts, by deforming and/or biting into mating parts when fully tightened. 2. The term is sometimes used for thin (or jam) nuts used to lock a thicker nut. When used in this way the thin nut should be adjacent to the joint surface and tightened against the thick nut. If placed on top of the thick nut the thin nut would sustain loads it was not designed to sustain. MAJOR DIAMETER This is the diameter of an imaginary cylinder parallel with the crests of the thread; in other words it is the distance from crest to crest for an external thread, or root to root for an internal thread. MEANSHIFT The difference in tightening torque values produced by the same tightening tool on hard and soft joints. A hard joint typically gives a higher torque value than a soft joint. Generally speaking, the lower the meanshift of a tightening tool, the better it will be in achieving a specified torque value irrespective of the joint condition. METAL TO METAL CONTACT FLANGE JOINT A flanged joint in which a gasket is compressed by bolts - the gasket being located in a recess within the joint so that it is compressed by the bolt loads until metal to metal contact occurs. Unlike the FLOATING TYPE FLANGE JOINT, for metal to metal type joints there are no standardised gasket factor definitions, test procedures, nor generally acknowledged calculation procedures available.
MINOR DIAMETER This is the diameter of an imaginary cylinder which just touches the roots of an external thread, or the crests of an internal thread. MODEL ENGINEERS THREAD (M.E.) A thread based upon the Whitworth thread form that was established in 1912. A very fine thread (a 3/32 inch thread having 60 tpi for example). MOLYBDENUM DISULPHIDE A solid lubricant that acts as a high pressure resistant film. Can be used by itself as a dry lubricant as well as in with other solid lubricants and in oils and greases. Used in threads, such lubricants act as a separating film to prevent corrosion formation on the thread surface (even under adverse temperature and environmental conditions) ensuring the release of the threaded connection. Such films can also act as friction stabilisers. NICKED THREADS Nicks or indentations in threads can occur during the manufacturing process and during fastener transportation. In general, nicked thread problems tend to increase as the thread diameter increases and for fine pitches. There are acceptance tests for nicked threads that involve measuring the maximum torque required to drive a GO gauge down the thread. Examples of acceptance tests are SAE J123 and the Ford Motor specification WA990 1993. Nicks and indentations in threads are sometimes referred to as gouges. NOMINAL DIAMETER The diameter equal to the external diameter of the threads. NUT DILATION Under load, the wedging action of the threads causes dilation of the nut resulting in an increase in the minor diameter of the nut, and reducing the effective shear areas of both the external and internal threads. NUT RUNNER A torque control fastener tightening tool that is usually powered by compressed air. The design of the tool is such that attempts are made to ensure that the applied torque is independent of joint stiffness. NYLOC NUT A torque prevailing nut that uses a nylon patented insert to provide a locking feature. The nylon insert, it is claimed, helps to seal the bolt thread against seepage of water, oil, petrol, paraffin and other liquids. The nut is covered by UK patent 8028437 and European patent 81303450-1. Nyloc is a registered trade name of Forest Fasteners. OCTAGON HEAD A bolt or screw whose head cross section is a regular polygon with 8 sides. OVERTAPPING Tapping of a thread following a plating operation so that the thread tolerances comply within specification allowing the internal and external threads to assemble. It is normal practice to overtap the internal rather than the external thread. PILES Term used in structural engineering for the joint plates. PITCH The nominal distance between two adjacent thread roots or crests. PLY
A single thickness of steel forming part of a structural joint. POOCHING Pooching is a term sometimes used to describe the effect of the area immediately surrounding a tapped hole being raised up as a result of the tension from the stud. Tapped holes are often bored out for the first couple of threads to eliminate this problem. PRELOAD The tension created in a fastener when first tightened. Reduces after a period of time due to embedding and other factors. PREVAILING TORQUE The torque required to run a nut down a thread on certain types of nuts designed to resist vibration loosening. The resistance can be provided by a plastic insert or a noncircular head. PROOF LOAD The proof load of a nut is the axially applied load the nut must withstand without thread stripping or rupture. The proof load of a bolt, screw or stud is the specified load the product must withstand without permanent set. PROPERTY CLASS A designation system which defines the strength of a bolt or nut. For metric fasteners, property classes are designated by numbers where increasing numbers generally represent increasing tensile strengths. The designation symbol for bolts consists of two parts: 1. The first numeral of a two digit symbol or the first two numerals of a three digit symbol approximates 1/100 of the minimum tensile strength in MPa. 2. The last numeral approximates 1/10 of the ratio expressed as a percentage between minimum yield stress and minimum tensile stress. Hence a fastener with a property class of 8.8 has a minimum tensile strength of 800 MPa and a yield stress of 0.8x800=640 MPa. The designation system for metric nuts is a single or double digit symbol. The numerals approximate 1/100 of the minimum tensile strength in MPa. For example a nut of property class 8 has a minimum tensile strength of 800 MPa. A bolt or screw of a particular property class should be assembled with the equivalent or higher property class of nut to ensure that thread stripping does not occur. PRYING The amplification of an external force acting on a bolt by a lever action which can occur when that force is an eccentric tensile load. REDUCED SHANK BOLT A bolt whose shank diameter is smaller than the nominal diameter of the bolt (normally the shank diameter of such a bolt is approximately equal to the effective diameter of the thread). RELAXATION The loss of clamping force in a bolt which commonly occurs as a result of embedment. Can also be caused by gasket creep, differential temperature expansion or vibration loosening. RIGHTHAND THREAD A screw thread that is screwed in by rotating clockwise. The majority of screw threads are right handed. ROLLED THREAD A thread formed by plastically deforming a blank rather than by cutting. The majority of standard fasteners have their threads formed by rolling. Most threads are rolled
before any heat treatment operation. Significant improvements in fatigue life can be achieved by rolling the thread after heat treatment, this improvement is due to compressive stresses being induced in the roots of the thread. However, because of the increased hardness of the bolt blank, the die life can be significantly reduced. Rolling the thread also generally improves the surface finish which can have a beneficial effect on fatigue life. ROOT DIAMETER Identical to MINOR DIAMETER SCREW A headed threaded fastener that is designed to be used in conjunction with a pre formed internal thread or alternatively forming its own thread. Historically, it was a threaded fastener with the thread running up to the head of the fastener that has no plain shank. However this definition has largely been superseded to avoid confusion over the difference between a bolt and a screw. SCREW THREAD A ridge of constant section which is manufactured so that a helix is developed on the internal or external surface of a cylinder. SEMS A screw and washer assembly. A screw or bolt which has a captive washer. The washer is frequently loose on the plain shank of the fastener, the shank diameter being equal to the effective diameter of the thread; the thread being rolled from this diameter. The origin of the word is a frequent question. In the 1930's E. C. Crowther was a representative for a company that sold both shake proof washers and screws. He came up with the idea of placing the washer on the screw before it was thread rolled. The major diameter of the screw being larger than the washer hole prevents it from coming off. The Illinois Tool Works made machines that produced these patented preassembled washers and screws. The s at the end of SEMs is thought to have been subsequently picked up because they are not usually purchased individually. In spite of the original patents and trademarks the word SEMS is generally recognised as a generic term applicable to screw and washer assemblies. SET SCREW A set screw is a threaded fastener that is typically used to hold a sleeve, collar or gear on a shaft to prevent relative motion. It is a threaded member that normally does not have a head. Unlike most other threaded fasteners it is basically a compression device normally used to generate axial thrust. Various socket types are provided to allow the set screw to be rotated. These types include hexagon socket, fluted socket, screwdriver slot and square head. Various point designs are available (the part of the set screw that rotates against the shaft being secured) and include: Cup - Hollowed end, is the most commonly used point style. Used when the digging in of the point is not undesirable. Cone - Pointed end, this type generates the highest torsional holding power and is typically used for a permanent connection. Oval - Rounded end that is typically used when frequent adjustment is required. The oval end prevents/reduces indentation. Flat - Cause little damage to the shaft and are used when frequent adjustment is required. Dog - Flat end with the threads stopping short of the end with the end fitting into a hole. SHANK That portion of a bolt between the head and the threaded portion.
SHOULDER SCREWS A threaded fastener with a plain, precision machined, shank that is used for location purposes. They are typically used for pulleys and linkages. SKIDMORE BOLT TENSION CALIBRATOR The Skidmore-Wilhelm bolt tension calibrator is a hydraulic load cell used to determine the tension in a bolt or other threaded fastener. The tension in the bolt compresses fluid in a hydraulic cylinder, a pressure gauge connected to the cylinder is then calibrated to read in terms of force rather than pressure. SNUG TORQUE The torque required to pull plates together so that direct contact occurs; often used in angle control tightening. The snug torque ensures that metal to metal contact occurs at all the interfaces within the joint. It is only at this point that the required angle of rotation start in order that the bolt is tightened sufficiently. The snug torque is usually determined experimentally on the actual joint. SNUGGING The process of pulling parts of a joint together, most of the input turn during this process is absorbed in the joint with little tension being given to the bolt. SOCKET HEAD CAP SCREW A screw with a round head, usually with a hexagon indentation in the head for tightening purposes. Used on machine parts and is typically made from high strength steel (grade 12.9 in metric). SOFT JOINT A joint in which the plates and material between the nut and bolt bearing surfaces have a low stiffness when subjected to compression by the bolt load. In such a joint, the bolt (or nut) typically has to be tightened by two or more complete turns, after it has been torqued to the snug condition, before the full tightening torque is achieved. Often the placement of a gasket in a joint results in a soft joint. SOFT TORQUE An alternative name, used by some manufacturers, for snug torque. STATIC FRICTION Friction at rest; a force is required to initiate relative movement between two bodies static friction is the force that resists such relative movement. STEP-LOCK BOLT (SLB) The Step-Lock Bolt (SLB) is a thread form that has been modified to resist vibration loosening. The thread has several horizontal portions (i.e. no lead angle) whose purpose is to prevent torsion being developed in the bolt as a result of the loosening purpose. It is these horizontal portions that are known as steps. Published literature indicates that the thread form performs well when tested on a transverse vibration test machine. However manufacturing difficulties may prevent its widespread adoption. STIFFNUT A term used to describe a lock nut which has a prevailing torque. STRENGTH GRADE See PROPERTY CLASS STRESS AREA The effective cross sectional area of a thread when subjected to a tensile force. It is based upon a diameter which is the mean of the pitch (or effective) and the minor (or root) diameters of the thread. The use of this diameter stems from the work of E. M. Slaughter in the 1930's. He completed carefully controlled tests using various sizes of standard threads and compared their strength with machined bars made from the same bar of material. He found that this mean diameter gave results that agreed with the
tensile test results to within about 3%. The error on the minor and pitch diameters was about 15%. Tests completed subsequent to these by other investigators have also shown that the stress diameter is a reasonable approximation to a thread's tensile strength. STRUCTURAL BOLT A structural bolt is a heavy hexagon head bolt having a controlled thread length intended for use in structural connections and assembly of such structures as buildings and bridges. The controlled thread length is to enable the thread to stop before the joint ply interface to improve the fastener's direct shear performance. This term is used in civil and structural engineering but is not frequently used in mechanical engineering. STUD A fastener which is threaded at both ends with an unthreaded shank in between. One end (which often has a thread tolerance which results in more thread interference) is secured into a tapped hole, the other is used with a nut. SYMMETRICAL THREAD A symmetrical thread is one which has both flanks of the thread profile inclined at the same angle. TAYLOR-FORGE METHOD A method developed by four engineers of the Taylor-Forge Company in Chicago in the 1930's that subsequently formed the basis of the ASME code for flanged joint design. The assumptions made by the method are now generally regarded as too simplistic. This method gives rise to the m and y gasket factors. TENSION WASHERS A general name given to spring washers, curved washers, Belleville washers and disc springs. This type of washer provides a relatively low stiffness (compared to the joint stiffness) and can be used to act as a spring take-up with a bolt to prevent movement between parts. THREAD CREST The top part of the thread. For external threads, the crest is the region of the thread which is on it's outer surface, for internal threads it is the region which forms the inner diameter. THREAD FLANK The thread flanks join the thread roots to the crest. THREAD HEIGHT This is the distance between the minor and major diameters of the thread measured radially. THREAD LENGTH Length the portion of the fastener with threads. THREAD ROOT The thread root is the bottom of the thread, on external threads the roots are usually rounded so that fatigue performance is improved. THREAD RUNOUT The portion at the end of a threaded shank which is not cut or rolled to full depth, but which provides a transition between full depth threads and the fastener shank or head. THREADLOCKER Can be a term used for a number of vibration resistant products but is now usually reserved for threadlocking adhesives. Specifically, a liquid anaerobic adhesive applied to nut or bolt thread, once hardened it fills the inner spaces between the threads to produce a solid plastic of a known shear strength. TIN/ZINC ALLOY ELECTROPLATING
Tin/zinc alloy coatings (typically 70% tin and 30% zinc) are applied to threaded fasteners to provide a corrosion resistant coating. One of the advantages of such coatings is that bimetallic corrosion will not occur when placed into contact with such metals as aluminium or steel. TOLERANCE CLASS A combination of tolerance grade and a fundamental deviation which is given to an internal or external thread. A tolerance class for an internal thread when combined with the tolerance class for an external thread gives the class of fit for the mating threads. TOLERANCE GRADE The difference between maximum and minimum metal conditions for a tolerance applied to a screw thread. For metric threads the tolerance grade is given a number. TORQUE MULTIPLIER A gearbox used to increase the torque produced by a small hand wrench. TORQUE WRENCH A manual wrench which incorporates a gauge or other method to indicate the amount of torque transferred to the nut or bolt. TURN OF THE NUT METHOD See ANGLE CONTROLLED TIGHTENING U BOLT A U shaped fastener threaded at both ends used primarily in suspension and related areas of vehicles. ULTRASONIC EXTENSOMETER An instrument which can measure the change in length of a fastener ultrasonically as the fastener is tightened (or measure the length before and after it is tightened). VIRTUAL EFFECTIVE DIAMETER The effective diameter of a thread but allowing for errors in pitch and flank angles. WAISTED SHANK BOLT A bolt whose diameter is less than the minor diameter of the thread. Frequently the shank of the bolt is 0.9 times the root diameter. WIRE THREAD INSERT A threaded insert that is typically used for tapped hole repair or to improve the thread stripping strength of softer metals such as zinc and aluminium. The inserts are assembled into a previously tapped hole using a special driving tool. A thread locking compound is frequently used to secure the insert if the assembly is subject to vibration. YIELD CONTROLLED TIGHTENING A fastener tightening method which allows a fastener to be tightened to yield. The angle of rotation of the fastener is measured relative to the applied torque, yield being assessed when the slope of the relationship changes to below a certain value. Sometimes called joint controlled tightening. ZINC ELECTROPLATING Zinc electroplating is a common way to protect threaded fasteners from the effects of corrosion. Zinc electroplating can be completed in acid chloride, alkaline or cyanide baths. Supplemental coatings are frequently applied to zinc electroplating. These coatings, such as zinc phosphate or chromate conversion, provide a protective passivation layer on the zinc which assists in reducing the corrosion rate. ZINC/COBALT ALLOY ELECTROPLATING This coating is similar to zinc electroplating completed in an acid chloride bath - a small amount of cobalt (typically about 1%) is added to increase the plating speed. ZINC PHOSPHATE CONVERSION COATING
A zinc phosphate conversion coating is frequently added to zinc electroplated parts, such as bolt threads, to improve corrosion resistance. This type of chemical conversion coating provides a protective passivation layer on the zinc improving its corrosion resistance.

Glossary

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Glossary

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

STRUCTURAL & BOLT GLOSSARY

(Ctrl F to find a word)

Alignment Chart for Columns

Anchor Bolt Plan

ANSI (American National Standards Institute)

ASD (Allowable Stress Design)

ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)

AWS (American Welding Society)

Axial Strut Load

BG-Type Joist Girder

Bottom Chord Extension (BCX)

Bottom Chord Strut

Bow String Joist

BTU (British Thermal Unit)

Centerline Span (or Center-to-Center)

Coefficient of (Linear) Expansion

Crimped Angle Web

Effective Length Factor (K)

Effective Moment of Inertia

End Diagonal or Web

Equivalent Uniform Load

G-Type Joist Girder

High Strength Bolts (HSB)

High Strength Steel

Hip and Valley

Horizontal Shear Stress

Joist Girder Designation

Knife Plate Seat

KSI (Kips per Linear Foot)

KSF (Kips per Square Foot)

Lap Joint Lateral Buckling

Loose Angle Strut

LRFD (Load and Resistance Factor Design)

Metal Building System

MHI (Material Handling Industry)

Mill Test Report

Modulus of Elasticity (E)

Moment of Inertia (I)

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

Panel or Panel Length

Pin Connection or Support

PLF (Pounds per Linear Foot)

Polar Moment of Inertia (J)

PSI (Pounds per Square Inch)

PSF (Pounds per Square Foot)

Radius of Gyration (r)

Rigid Frame or Structure

Section Modulus (S)

Self Tapping Screw

Shear Stud Connector

SI (Systeme International d'Unites)

Side Lap Screws

Simple or Single Span

Slender Element Section

Spandrel Joist or Beam

SSR (Standing Seam Roof)

Tagged End (T.E.)

A condition caused by the action of stretching or pulling of a component.

Top Chord Bearing

Top Chord Extension (TCX)

Tribuitary Width or Area

UBC (Uniform Building Code)

UL (Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.)