Modern prefabricated steel buildings can accommodate just about any type of configuration possible, making them popular to businessmen and homeowners alike. Two of the most widely used framing designs used for steel buildings include the open-web joist and hot-rolled wide flange beam structural frameworks. In order to decide which approach is best for your needs, a description of the two options follows.

The open-web steel joist technique for steel buildings uses a lightweight steel truss consisting of parallel chords and a triangular web system, designed to span between load-bearing joints. Primarily, an open-web steel joist functions as a direct support for roof or floor deck and to transfer the load imposed on the deck to the steel beams and columns.

This framing technique features open-web steel joists that support a metal tier, braced by wide-flange metal beams or joist girders. To accurately shape the joists, engineers of steel buildings use computer-modeling software by taking into account these specifications: the joist span between bearing points, joints spacing, roof slope, live loads, dead loads, collateral loads, wind uplift, deflection criteria, and maximum joist allowed.

Although open-web joists are not stable during construction of steel buildings, placing of additional bracing and adding the roof tier will make the full arrangement sturdy. The all-steel deck and perimeter columns make up the horizontal roof diaphragm.

Through the use of high strength steel, the open-web joist configuration for steel buildings creates a superior strength-to-weight ratio and they are ideal for buildings with roof frameworks that reinforce equally distributed loads. Open-web joist assembly is widely popular for steel buildings that have flatter slope roof designs.

Space conservation is another benefit of an open-web joist assembly for steel buildings, since piping, ductwork, and conduit placing can be easily accommodated. The open-web joist approach can be used in a wide variety of applications for steel buildings and is the choice of individuals who prefer more intricate roof systems for their prefabricated steel buildings.

The open-web joist design approach is very cost-effective for steel buildings with spans of up to 17 yards. However, the greatest economy can be realized only when standard details are used.

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