Glossary A-C
Agricultural Building
A structure designed and constructed to house farm implements, hay, grain, poultry, livestock or other horticultural products. Such structures
shall not include habitable or occupiable spaces, spaces in which
agricultural products are processed, treated or packaged; nor shall
an agricultural building be a place of occupancy by the general public.
For quotes see our steel riding arenas, steel horse
barns and barn kits sections of
the site
Accessory
A supplementary building product, such as a door, window, skylight, ventilator,
louver, etc.
Anchor Bolt Plan
A plan view of a building(s) foundations showing all dimensions and sections
required to properly locate the anchor bolts, including the projections
of the bolts above the concrete surface, required recess, etc. Column
reactions (magnitude and direction), and base plate dimensions are
also included.
Anchor Bolts
Bolts used to anchor structural members to a concrete floor, foundation
or other support. Usually refers to the bolts at the bottom of all
columns and doorjambs.
Angle
A hot rolled member with two legs forming a 90 degree angle.
Approval Drawings
Drawings sent to the customer to verify design and dimensions and to
verify the sales contract description of materials and services the
supplier has agreed to furnish.
Auxiliary Loads
All specified dynamic live loads, other than the basic design loads,
which the building must safely withstand. Examples are loads imposed
by crane systems, material handling systems and impact loads.
Building Width
The dimension measured from outside to outside of sidewall girts.
Building Eave Height
The dimension measured from the bottom of the base plate on
the column to the intersection of the inside of the roof and sidewall
sheets.
Building Length
The dimension measured from outside to outside of endwall girts.
Back-up Plates
Additional plates used in connections to provide sufficient bolt grip,
allow for erection tolerances, or increase strength.
Base Angle
A continuous angle fixed to the slab or to the grade beam to enable
the attachment of wall panels.
Base Plate
The endplate of a column, which rests on the supporting substructure
surface.
Bay
The space between the centerlines of frames or primary supporting members
in the longitudinal direction of the building. Also called Bay Spacing
or Bay Length.
Beam
A horizontal structural member designed primarily to resist moments.
Beam and Column
A structural system consisting of a series of rafter beams supported
by columns. Often used as the end frame of a building.
Bill of Materials
A list of items or components used for fabrication, shipping, receiving,
and accounting purposes.
Blind Rivet
A small headed pin with an expandable shank for joining light gauge metal.
Typically used to attach flashing, gutters, etc. Also referred to as
a Pop Rivet.
Brace Grip
Galvanized steel strands formed into a helical hairpin shape that is
wrapped tightly on the strand at the end of the cable brace.
Brace Rods/Cables
Rods or cables placed diagonally in the roof and walls for the purpose
of transferring wind loads to the foundations and longitudinally
stabilizing the building.
Bracket
A structural support projecting from a column or rafter to which another
structural member is fastened. Example: Brackets supporting crane
runway beams.
Building Codes
Regulations developed by recognized agencies establishing minimum building
requirements for licensing, safety and functionality purposes such
as setbacks, fire regulations, spacing and clearances. Building codes
usually address acceptable design codes. An example of a building
code is the International Building Code (IBC).
Built-up Section
A structural member, usually an "I" shape, made from individual
flat plates welded together.
Butt Plate
The end plate of a structural member, which usually rests against a similar
endplate of another member to form a moment resisting connection.
Also called Splice Plate, End Plate, or Cap Plate.
By-pass Girt
The girt, which passes continuously along the outside flanges of the
columns.
C Section
A member formed into a "C" shaped profile by cold roll forming
from coils.
Canopy
An overhanging or projecting roof structure, below the eave level, supported
at one end only.
Cantilever
A projecting beam that is supported and restrained at one end only.
Cantilever Beam
A beam supported only at one end having a free end and a fixed end.
Cap Plate
A plate located at the top of a column or end of a beam. Also referred
to as End Plate.
Catwalk
A narrow walkway used to provide access to mechanical equipment normally
supported on roof platforms.
Certifications
Standard drawings and design analysis shall bear the seal of a registered
professional engineer upon request. Design analysis shall be on file
and furnished by the supplier upon request.
Channel (Hot Rolled)
A member formed, while in a semi-molten state at the steel mill, into
a "C" shaped profile having standard dimensions and properties
specified by a relevant standard specification.
Checkered Plate
Flat hot rolled plate with raised checkered design to prevent slipping;
used for industrial equipment platforms, catwalks, stair treads,
etc.
Clear Height
The vertical dimension from the finished floor level to the lowest underside
point of the rafter.
Clear Span
A building without internal columns.
Closure Strip
Purpose-made foam fillers to fit inside and outside profiles of roof
and wall panels providing a weather-tight seal. Also known as Foam
Closure.
Cold Forming
The process of using press brakes or rolling mills to shape steel into
desired cross sections at room temperature.
Cold-Formed Member
A light gauge structural member produced from coiled steel stock running
through a series of rolls at normal room temperatures.
Collateral Load
The static load other than the basic design loads such as sprinklers,
mechanical and electrical systems, ceilings, etc.
Column
A vertical structural member used in a building to transfer loads from
the main roof beams, trusses or rafters to the foundation.
Component
An independent part of an assembly.
Concrete Notch
A rebate or notch formed along the edge of the concrete floor slab or
grade beam, allowing wall panels to end below the floor level thus
preventing ingress of dust or water.
Continuous Beam
A beam that has more than two points of support.
Continuous Ridge Vent
Two or more ridge ventilators mounted on the building ridge that allows
air circulation.
Corner Column
A column at any corner of a building. Corner columns may be primary rigid
frame columns or post-and-beam columns.
Cross Section
A view formed by a plane cutting through an object usually at right angles
to its axes.
