Glossary
A
Anchor Bolt
Steel bolts embedded in concrete foundations that secure metal building columns and base plates in place.
AISC
American Institute of Steel Construction. A technical body that develops standards, codes, and guidance for the design, fabrication, and erection of structural steel in buildings and bridges.
AISE
Association of Iron and Steel Engineers. A professional association focused on engineering practices, technologies, and operations in the iron and steel industry. Today its legacy continues through steel industry technical groups and publications.
AISI
American Iron and Steel Institute. An association representing North American steel producers that develops design guides and standards, especially for cold formed steel structures.
Allowable Stress Design (ASD)
A structural design method where materials are sized so that the working stresses under service loads stay below a specified allowable limit. Safety is built in by keeping stresses well under the material strength.
Aluminum-Coated Steel
Steel that is coated with a layer of aluminum or an aluminum alloy to improve corrosion resistance, especially in harsh or high temperature environments.
Aluminum Frame
A structural or supporting frame made from aluminum sections. It is lightweight, corrosion resistant, and commonly used in façades, windows, and curtain wall systems.
Anchor Bolt
A steel bolt cast into concrete or installed later to fasten structural elements such as columns or equipment bases to a concrete foundation.
Anchor Rod
A threaded steel rod used to connect structural steel to concrete. Similar to an anchor bolt, but the term often refers to longer or heavier duty rods used in structural applications.
Angle Section (L-Section)
A steel section shaped like the letter L. It is commonly used for bracing, frames, supports, and connections in steel structures.
Applied Load
Any force or weight that acts on a structure or component. This includes people, equipment, wind, snow, and other forces the structure must safely resist.
Architectural Drawing
Technical drawings prepared by architects that show the layout, appearance, and functional design of a building, including plans, elevations, and sections.
Architectural Façade
The exterior face or outer skin of a building, often designed for both appearance and performance such as weather protection and thermal control.
Architectural Specification
A written document that describes materials, workmanship, finishes, and installation requirements for architectural elements of a project.
As-Built Drawings
Drawings that show the final constructed condition of a project, including all changes made during construction compared to the original design.
ASCE
American Society of Civil Engineers. A professional organization that publishes widely used civil engineering standards, including structural loading standards for buildings and infrastructure.
Assembly Drawing
A drawing that shows how multiple parts fit and are connected together to form a complete unit or system.
Asymmetrical
Describes a shape, structure, or system in which the arrangement and dimensions are not identical on either side of a central axis.
Automation in Steel Detailing
The use of software, scripts, and digital workflows to speed up and improve the accuracy of steel detailing tasks such as modeling, drawing generation, and quantity extraction.
Auxiliary Loads
Secondary loads that are not part of the main structural system but still affect it. Examples include loads from pipes, cable trays, platforms, or maintenance equipment attached to the structure.
Awning Window
A window that is hinged at the top and opens outward from the bottom. It allows ventilation while providing some protection from rain.
Axial Load
A force that acts along the length of a structural member, either pulling it in tension or pushing it in compression.
B
Bay
The distance between two main frames of a metal building, measured along the building length.
Base Plate
A steel plate welded to the bottom of a column that distributes loads to the foundation and connects via anchor bolts.
C
Camber
A slight upward curve built into a beam or truss during fabrication so that it becomes level under load.
Canopy
A projecting roof or cover supported by the building or by its own supports, used to provide shelter over entrances or walkways.
Cantilever
A projecting structural member that is supported at only one end, with the other end extending freely.
Cap Plate
Steel plate placed on top of a column, beam, or pile to provide a flat bearing surface or to connect other structural members.
Capillary Action
The movement of water through small gaps or pores in materials, which can draw moisture upward or inward against gravity.
Caulk
A flexible sealing material used to close joints or gaps in building components to prevent air and water leakage.
Channel (Hot Rolled)
C-shaped steel section produced through hot rolling. It is commonly used for framing, supports, and secondary structural members.
Clash Detection
The process of identifying conflicts between building components in a digital model.
Clip
Small steel plate or angle used to connect secondary members such as girts or purlins to main structural members.
Closure Strip
A shaped filler, often foam or rubber, used at roof or wall panel ends to close gaps and prevent entry of water, dust, or insects.
Cold Forming
A manufacturing process where steel is shaped at room temperature by bending or rolling, commonly used to produce light gauge steel sections.
Cold-Formed
Refers to steel members shaped at room temperature, typically thin gauge sections used for light framing, decking, and cladding supports.
Collateral Load
Permanent loads other than the main structural weight, such as ceilings, lighting, sprinklers, ductwork, and other attached building systems.
Column
A vertical structural member that carries loads from beams, slabs, or roofs down to the foundation.
Column Base
The assembly at the bottom of a column, including the base plate, anchor rods, and grout, that transfers column loads into the foundation.
Connection
The method of joining two or more structural members using bolts, welds, plates, or other fastening systems so they act together.
Corrosion Protection
Methods used to prevent or slow down rust and deterioration of metal, such as painting, galvanizing, or applying protective coatings.
Coverings
Materials applied over roofs or walls to provide weather protection and sometimes insulation or fire resistance.
Crane
Machine used to lift and move heavy materials horizontally and vertically within a construction or industrial facility.
Crane Load
Forces applied to a structure due to crane operation, including lifted weight, crane self weight, impact, and horizontal forces from movement.
Crane Rail
Steel rail mounted on top of a runway beam that provides a smooth, durable track for crane wheels.
Crane Runway Beam
A horizontal beam that supports and guides the wheels of an overhead bridge crane as it travels along a building.
Curb
A raised frame or support, often made of metal or concrete, used on roofs to support equipment like HVAC units or skylights.
Curtain Wall
A non load bearing exterior wall system, usually made of glass and metal framing, that encloses a building and transfers its own weight and wind loads back to the main structure.
D
Damper
A device installed in a structure to reduce vibrations or control movement caused by wind, machinery, or seismic activity.
Dead Load
The permanent weight of a structure and all fixed components such as beams, slabs, walls, roofing, and built-in equipment.
Deflection
The amount a structural member bends or moves under load. Excessive deflection can affect performance, appearance, or safety.
Design Criteria
The set of requirements, assumptions, and standards used as the basis for designing a structure, including loads, codes, material properties, and performance expectations.
Design Loads
The loads a structure is specifically designed to resist, including dead load, live load, wind, seismic forces, snow, and other applicable forces based on codes and standards.
Diagonal Bracing
Structural members placed at an angle between columns or beams to provide stability and resist lateral forces.
Diaphragm Action
The way a floor or roof system acts like a horizontal beam or plate to transfer lateral loads such as wind or seismic forces to vertical resisting elements like walls or frames.
Door Guide
A track or guiding component that keeps a sliding or overhead door aligned and moving in the correct path.
Downspout
A vertical pipe that carries rainwater from roof gutters down to the ground or drainage system.
Drift
The horizontal movement of a building or structure, usually at the top, caused by wind or seismic forces. Building codes limit allowable drift to control damage.
Drift Pin
A tapered steel tool or pin used during erection to align holes in steel members so bolts can be inserted more easily.
E
Eave
The lower edge of a roof that extends beyond the exterior wall, helping direct rainwater away from the building.
Eave Height
The vertical distance from the finished floor or grade level up to the eave line where the roof meets the sidewall.
Eave Strut
A structural member located at the eave that supports the roof and wall panels and helps tie the roof system to the wall system.
Eccentric Load
A load applied at a point away from the centerline of a structural member, creating both direct stress and bending effects.
Edge Distance
The distance from the center of a bolt hole or fastener to the nearest edge of a connected part. Proper edge distance helps prevent tearing or failure at connections.
Effective Length
The length of a compression member used in buckling calculations, based on its end support conditions and bracing.
Elastic Design
A structural design approach that assumes materials remain within their elastic range under design loads, meaning they return to their original shape when the load is removed.
End Frame
The structural frame located at the end of a building that supports roof and wall loads and transfers them to the foundation.
End Wall
The exterior wall at the gable end or end of a building, often framed differently from sidewalls.
Erection
The process of assembling and installing structural components on site to form the completed framework of a building or structure.
Erection Drawings
Drawings prepared for use in the field that show how structural components are to be assembled and installed during construction.
Expansion Joint
A deliberate gap between parts of a structure that allows movement due to temperature changes, shrinkage, or other effects without causing damage.
F
Fabrication
The process of cutting, shaping, drilling, welding, and assembling materials, usually steel, in a workshop before they are delivered to the site.
Fascia
A horizontal finishing piece installed along the edge of a roof, covering the ends of rafters or purlins and providing a neat appearance.
Fastener
A device such as a bolt, screw, rivet, or nail used to join two or more components together.
Fenestration
The arrangement and design of windows, doors, and other openings in a building exterior.
Field
Refers to work performed at the construction site rather than in a factory or fabrication shop.
Field Bolt
A bolt installed on site during erection to connect structural members, as opposed to shop bolts installed in the fabrication facility.
Filler Strip
A strip of material used to close small gaps between building components, often to improve weather tightness or appearance.
Finial
A decorative architectural element placed at the top or end of a roof, gable, or spire.
Fixed Base
A column base condition where rotation is restrained, allowing the base to resist bending moments as well as vertical and horizontal forces.
Flange
The projecting edge of a structural member, such as the top and bottom parts of an I-beam, that resists bending stresses.
Flange Brace
A member used to support and stabilize the flange of a beam or girder, helping prevent lateral movement or twisting.
Flashing
Thin metal or other waterproof material installed at joints and intersections to prevent water from entering the building.
Footing
The widened base of a foundation that spreads structural loads over a larger area of soil to prevent settlement.
Force
Any push or pull acting on a structure or component, such as gravity, wind, or impact.
Foundation
The lower part of a structure that transfers building loads safely into the ground. It includes footings, piers, piles, and foundation walls.
Framed Opening
An opening in a wall or roof that is reinforced with additional framing members to support loads around doors, windows, or equipment.
Framing
The structural framework of a building, made up of beams, columns, joists, studs, and other members that support loads.
Framing Drawings
Construction drawings that show the layout, size, and connection details of structural framing members.
G
Gable
The triangular upper portion of a wall formed at the end of a pitched roof.
Gable Roof
A roof with two sloping sides that meet at a ridge, creating gable ends at both sides of the building.
Galvanized
Steel or iron that has been coated with a layer of zinc to protect it from rust and corrosion.
Gauge
A measure of thickness, often used for sheet metal. In most systems, a higher gauge number means a thinner material.
Girder
A large primary beam that supports smaller beams or joists and carries significant structural loads.
Girt
A horizontal member attached to columns in a wall system that supports wall panels and helps resist wind loads.
Glaze / Glazing
The installation of glass or similar transparent material into windows, doors, or curtain wall frames.
Grade Beam
A reinforced concrete beam at ground level that connects foundations or columns and helps distribute loads.
Gravity Load
Loads that act downward due to gravity, including the weight of the structure itself and its permanent or temporary contents.
Grout
A fluid mixture, often cement based, used to fill gaps, level surfaces, or transfer loads between components such as base plates and foundations.
Gusset Plate
A flat steel plate used to connect structural members at joints, especially in trusses and bracing systems.
Gutter
A channel installed along the edge of a roof to collect and direct rainwater toward downspouts.
H
Hanger
A supporting device used to suspend pipes, ducts, ceilings, or structural members from a roof or floor structure.
Haunch
A thickened or reinforced portion of a beam or rafter near its support, designed to increase strength and reduce bending stresses at that location.
Header
A horizontal structural member placed over an opening such as a door or window to carry loads above the opening to the sides.
High Strength Bolts
Special structural bolts made from high strength steel and used in critical connections where greater clamping force and load capacity are required.
Hinged Base
A column base condition that allows rotation but resists vertical and horizontal movement, meaning it does not significantly resist bending moment.
Hip Roof
A roof where all sides slope downward toward the walls, with no vertical gable ends.
Hood (Door)
A protective cover or canopy installed above a door opening to shield it from rain and weather.
Hoist
A lifting device that uses a drum or lift wheel with rope or chain to raise and lower loads vertically.
Horizontal Bracing
Bracing members installed in a horizontal plane, often in roofs or floors, to stabilize the structure and transfer lateral loads.
Hot-Rolled
Refers to steel that is formed at high temperatures above its recrystallization point, resulting in standard structural shapes with uniform properties and rounded edges.
I
ICBO
International Conference of Building Officials. A former organization that developed model building codes used in parts of the United States before the creation of the International Code Council.
Impact Load
A load applied suddenly, often due to collision, dropped objects, or moving equipment. It produces higher stresses than the same load applied gradually.
Impact Wrench
A power tool that delivers strong, sudden rotational force to tighten or loosen bolts and nuts, commonly used in steel erection and equipment installation.
Infill
Material or construction placed within the frame of a building, such as wall panels, masonry, or partitions, that fills space but may or may not be load bearing.
Insulation
Materials used in walls, roofs, and floors to reduce heat transfer, improve energy efficiency, and sometimes control sound.
Intermediate Frame
A structural frame located between the end frames of a building, supporting roof and wall loads along the length of the structure.
Internal Pressure
Air pressure that builds up inside a building due to wind entering through openings, which can increase the load on walls and roof systems.
I-Section (I-Beam)
A structural steel member shaped like the letter I, with top and bottom flanges connected by a vertical web. It is widely used for beams and columns because of its efficient bending resistance.
J
Jack Beam
A secondary beam that supports other framing members such as joists or rafters, often used around openings or where framing layout changes.
Jack Truss
A shorter or partial truss that supports roof or floor loads in areas where a full length truss cannot be used, such as near openings or changes in building width.
Jib Crane
A type of crane with a horizontal arm called a jib that supports a hoist and can rotate to move loads within a limited area.
Jig
A device used in fabrication to hold and position components accurately during cutting, drilling, or welding to ensure consistency and precision.
Joist
A horizontal structural member, smaller than a beam, that supports floors or roofs and transfers loads to larger beams or walls.
Joint
The location where two or more structural or building components meet and are connected, allowing forces to be transferred between them.
K
K-Bracing
A bracing system where diagonal members form the shape of the letter K between columns and beams. It helps resist lateral loads such as wind and improves frame stability.
Key Plate
A small steel plate used in connections to align, lock, or strengthen the joint between structural members.
Kick-Out (Elbow)
A special elbow fitting in a downspout that directs water away from the building foundation at the base of the wall.
Kip
A unit of force equal to one thousand pounds. It is commonly used in structural engineering in the United States to express loads.
Knee
The region of a rigid frame where a column and rafter meet, typically near the eave, and where bending stresses are often high.
Knee Brace
A short diagonal member installed between a column and a beam or rafter near the knee to add stiffness and reduce frame movement.
L
Lateral Load
A force that acts horizontally on a structure, such as wind or seismic forces, which can cause sideways movement or sway.
Lean-to
A simple structure or roof extension that slopes in one direction and is supported by another building or wall on one side.
Length
The overall distance from one end of a structural member or building to the other, measured along its main axis.
Leveling Plate
A steel plate placed under a base plate to help achieve the correct elevation and provide a level surface before grouting.
Liner Panel
An interior metal panel installed on the inside face of walls or roofs to provide a finished surface and sometimes protect insulation.
Lintel
A horizontal structural member placed over an opening such as a door or window to support the load of the wall or roof above.
Live Load
Loads that can change over time, such as people, furniture, vehicles, or stored materials, as opposed to permanent structural weight.
Load Indicator Washer
A special washer used with high strength bolts that shows when the correct bolt tension has been achieved during installation.
Loads
All forces and weights that act on a structure, including dead, live, wind, seismic, snow, and equipment loads.
Longitudinal Bracing
Bracing installed along the length of a building to provide stability and help resist lateral forces in that direction.
Louver
A slatted opening or panel designed to allow air to pass through while blocking rain, sunlight, or debris.
M
Main Frame
The primary structural frame of a building, typically made up of rigid frames, columns, and rafters that carry the main loads.
Manufacturer
The company that fabricates and supplies building components such as structural steel, metal building systems, or cladding materials.
Manufacturer’s Engineer
An engineer employed or contracted by the manufacturer who is responsible for the design and engineering of the manufacturer’s products and systems.
Masonry
Construction made from individual units such as bricks, blocks, or stones, usually bonded together with mortar.
A thick, adhesive sealing compound used to bond materials or seal joints against air and water penetration.
MBMA
Metal Building Manufacturers Association. An industry association that provides standards, research, and guidance related to the design and performance of metal building systems.
Member
Any individual structural component such as a beam, column, brace, or joist that forms part of a structural system.
Metal Building Fiberglass Insulation
Flexible insulation made from fiberglass, commonly supplied in rolls or blankets, used in metal building walls and roofs to reduce heat transfer and condensation.
Mill Test Report (MTR)
A document provided by a steel mill that certifies the chemical composition and mechanical properties of a batch of steel, confirming it meets specified standards.
Moment Connection
A structural connection designed to transfer bending moments as well as shear and axial forces, creating a rigid joint between members.
Moment of Inertia
A property of a cross section that indicates its resistance to bending. Larger values mean the member will deflect less under the same load.
Monorail
An overhead track system with a hoist that moves along a single rail, used to lift and transport materials within a limited path.
Multi-Span Building
A building with more than one span between main frames or columns, often including interior columns to support the roof.
Multi Structure Buildings
A group of connected or adjacent buildings that function together but may have separate frames or structural systems.
N
Natural Ventilation
The movement of air through a building using openings such as windows, vents, and louvers without mechanical fans, helping control temperature and air quality.
Net Area
The effective cross sectional area of a structural member after deductions for holes, cuts, or other reductions. It is used in strength calculations, especially for tension members.
Net Section
The remaining cross section of a member at a critical location after accounting for bolt holes or other openings that reduce its area.
Nested Frames
A building configuration where smaller frames are placed inside the spacing of larger frames, often used in metal buildings to reduce material weight and improve efficiency.
Nominal Load
A load value specified for design purposes that may be rounded or based on standard assumptions rather than exact measured values.
Nominal Thickness
The stated or designated thickness of a material, which may differ slightly from the actual measured thickness due to manufacturing tolerances.
Non Composite Construction
A structural system where different materials such as steel and concrete act independently rather than being bonded together to share loads.
Notch
A cut or indentation made in a structural member, often to allow another component to fit or pass through. Notches must be carefully designed to avoid weakening the member.
O
Open Web Joist
A lightweight structural member made of top and bottom chords connected by a web of diagonal or vertical members, used to support floors or roofs while allowing space for services to pass through.
Opening
Any intentional gap or space in a wall, roof, or floor for doors, windows, vents, or equipment access.
Operating Load
The load produced by equipment or machinery during normal use, including moving parts and dynamic effects.
Outrigger
A projecting structural member that extends beyond the main support line to provide additional stability or to support overhanging loads.
Overhang
The portion of a roof or floor that extends beyond the supporting wall or column below.
Overhead Doors
Large doors that open vertically and are commonly used in industrial or commercial buildings for vehicle or equipment access.
Overall Height
The total vertical dimension of a building or component from the lowest reference point to the highest point.
P
Panel
A flat or formed building component used in walls, roofs, or floors, often made of metal, concrete, or composite materials.
Parapet
A low wall that extends above the edge of a roof, terrace, or balcony, often used for safety, screening, or architectural appearance.
Peak
The highest point of a sloped roof where two roof surfaces meet, also called the ridge.
Personnel Doors
Standard sized doors designed for people rather than vehicles or large equipment.
Pier
A vertical structural element, usually made of concrete or masonry, that supports loads from beams, columns, or walls and transfers them to the ground.
Pin Connection
A structural connection that allows rotation but resists translation, meaning it does not transfer significant bending moment between members.
Pitch
The slope of a roof, typically expressed as the ratio of vertical rise to horizontal run.
Plate
A flat steel element used in connections, base plates, stiffeners, or as a structural component in built up members.
Portal Frame
A rigid frame with fixed connections between columns and beams that resists both vertical and lateral loads through bending action.
Post
A vertical member that supports loads, similar to a column but often used in smaller scale or non structural applications.
Post Frame
A structural building system in which vertical posts serve as the primary load-bearing elements, supporting roof and wall framing and transferring loads directly to the foundation or ground.
Post and Beam
A construction system using vertical posts and horizontal beams as the main structural framework.
Pre Engineered Building (PEB)
A building system where structural components are designed and fabricated in a factory and then assembled on site, commonly used for steel industrial buildings.
Pre Painted Coil
Sheet metal that has been coated with paint in coil form at the factory before being formed into panels or components.
Primary Framing
The main load carrying structural members of a building, such as rigid frames, beams, and columns.
Public Assembly
A building or space designed for gathering large groups of people, such as auditoriums, halls, or stadiums, which are subject to specific safety and code requirements.
Purlin
A horizontal structural member that supports roof panels and transfers loads to the main frames or rafters.
Q
Quality Control (QC)
The set of inspections, tests, and procedures used during fabrication and construction to ensure materials and workmanship meet specified standards and project requirements.
R
Rafter
A sloping structural member that supports the roof covering and transfers loads to columns or walls.
Rake
The sloping edge of a gable roof that runs from the eave up to the ridge.
Rake Angle
An angled structural or trim member located along the rake line of a roof.
Rake Trim
A finishing trim piece installed along the sloped edge of a roof to provide weather protection and a clean appearance.
Reaction Load
The force developed at a support in response to applied loads on a structure.
Reactions
The set of support forces and moments that balance the applied loads on a structure.
Rib
A raised or formed ridge in a metal panel that increases stiffness and strength.
Ribbed Panel
A metal wall or roof panel with formed ribs to improve structural capacity and water drainage.
Ridge
The highest horizontal line of a roof where two sloping surfaces meet.
Ridge Cap
A covering installed over the ridge to seal the joint between roof panels and prevent water entry.
Rigid Connection
A connection that resists rotation and transfers bending moments as well as shear and axial forces between members.
Rigid Frame
A structural frame with moment resisting connections between columns and rafters, designed to resist both vertical and lateral loads.
Rolled Section
A steel shape such as an I beam, channel, or angle produced by hot rolling at a mill.
Roll Up Door
A door made of interlocking slats that rolls into a coil above the opening when opened.
Rolling Doors
Large doors that move along tracks, either rolling upward into a coil or sliding horizontally.
Roof Covering
The outermost layer of a roof that provides weather protection, such as metal panels, tiles, or membranes.
Roof Live Load
Temporary loads on a roof from maintenance workers, equipment, or short term storage.
Roof Overhang
The portion of the roof that extends beyond the exterior wall line.
Roof Slope
The angle or steepness of a roof surface, often expressed as a ratio of rise to run.
Roof Snow Load
The weight of accumulated snow that a roof is designed to support.
Ropeseal
A flexible seal installed in panel laps or joints to improve weather tightness and reduce air or water infiltration.
Runway Beam
A beam that supports and guides an overhead crane along its travel path.
Runway Bracket
A bracket attached to a column that supports a runway beam for a crane system.
S
Sag Member
A secondary structural member installed to reduce deflection and provide additional support to framing members subjected to bending.
Screwed-Down Roof System
A roof system in which panels are fastened directly to the supporting structure using exposed screws, providing a secure and economical roofing solution.
Sealant
A flexible material applied to joints, seams, or gaps to prevent the passage of water, air, or dust.
Secondary Framing
Structural members such as purlins, girts, and sag members that support roof and wall panels and transfer loads to the primary framing system.
Sectional Overhead Doors
Doors composed of hinged panels that open vertically and move along overhead tracks, commonly used in industrial and commercial buildings.
Seismic Load
Forces imposed on a structure as a result of ground motion during an earthquake.
Self-Drilling Screw
A mechanical fastener with a drill-point tip that drills its own hole and forms threads during installation.
Self-Tapping Screw
A fastener designed to cut its own threads into a pre-drilled hole as it is driven into place.
Shipping List
A document listing all materials and components shipped from the fabrication facility to the project site.
Shop Primer Paint
A corrosion-resistant coating applied to steel members at the fabrication shop to provide temporary protection before erection.
Side Lap Fastener
A fastener used to connect the overlapping edges of adjacent roof or wall panels.
Sidewall
The vertical exterior wall surface of a building between the foundation and the roof.
Sidewall Overhang
The portion of a roof that extends beyond the sidewall to provide protection from weather.
Sill
A horizontal member located at the base of a wall that supports wall panels or framing.
Simple Connection
A structural connection designed to transfer shear forces while allowing rotation and not resisting bending moments.
Simple Span
A structural span supported only at its two ends, with no intermediate supports.
Single Slope
A roof configuration consisting of one continuous sloping surface.
Single Span
A building or structural member that extends between two supports without intermediate support points.
Skylight
A roof-mounted opening or panel that allows natural light to enter the building interior.
Slide Door
A door system that opens horizontally by sliding along a track.
Slope
The angle or inclination of a roof or surface relative to the horizontal plane.
Snow Load
The weight exerted on a structure by accumulated snow.
Snug Tight
A bolt-tightening condition where the connected parts are in firm contact without inducing full bolt tension.
Soffit
The underside surface of a roof overhang or eave.
Soldier Column
A vertical steel member used to support loads or retain soil in structural and foundation applications.
Span
The distance between two structural supports.
Splice
A connection used to join two structural members end-to-end.
Spud Wrench
A specialized tool used during steel erection to align bolt holes and tighten bolts.
Square
A condition in which components or framing are aligned at right angles.
Standing Seam
A metal panel system characterized by raised interlocking seams designed to improve weather resistance.
Standing Seam Roof System
A roofing system using standing seam panels with concealed fasteners for enhanced durability and watertightness.
Stiffener
A plate or structural element added to a member to increase strength and prevent local buckling.
Stitch Screw
A small fastener used to secure adjacent metal panels or thin components together.
Stress
The internal force per unit area within a material resulting from applied loads.
Strut
A structural member designed to resist compressive forces.
Symmetrical
Describes a shape, structure, or system in which the arrangement and dimensions are identical on either side of a central axis.
T
Tapered Members
Structural steel members that are deeper at one end and shallower at the other, designed to place material where it is most needed to carry loads efficiently.
Tensile Strength
The highest amount of pulling force a material can handle before it breaks.
Thermal Block
A component placed between materials to reduce heat transfer and improve energy efficiency.
Thermal Resistance (R-Value)
A rating that shows how well a material resists heat flow; higher values mean better insulation.
Through-Fastened Roof System
A roofing system where panels are attached directly to the structure using visible screws or fasteners.
Ton
A unit of weight used to describe loads, capacities, or lifting requirements in construction.
Tolerance
The acceptable amount of variation allowed from the specified size or dimension during fabrication or installation.
Torsion
A twisting force that acts on a structural member when loads cause it to rotate.
Track
A guided path or channel that supports and allows movement of doors or other components.
Translucent Light Panels
Panels that let natural light pass through while spreading it evenly to reduce glare.
Transverse
Describes a direction or force that acts across or perpendicular to the length of a member.
Trim
Finished pieces used to cover edges, joints, or transitions for protection and appearance.
Truss
A framework of connected members arranged in triangles to efficiently carry loads over a span.
Turn-of-the-Nut Method
A controlled way of tightening bolts by turning the nut a specific amount after it is snug, ensuring correct bolt tension.
U
Uplift
An upward force acting on a structure, typically caused by wind pressure.
U-Value
A measure of the rate of heat transfer through a building component, indicating its insulating performance.
Ultimate Strength
The maximum stress a material can withstand before failure.
Uniform Load
A load that is evenly distributed over a structural member or surface.
V
Valley Gutter
A gutter installed at the intersection of two roof slopes to collect and direct rainwater.
Vapor Barrier
A material used to prevent moisture vapor from passing through walls or roofs.
Ventilation
The process of supplying and removing air to control temperature, moisture, and air quality inside a building.
Ventilator
A device installed in a building to allow controlled airflow for ventilation.
Vertical Bracing
Structural members installed vertically to resist lateral forces such as wind or seismic loads.
W
Walk Door
A standard personnel door installed in a building for pedestrian access.
Wall Covering
Material applied to the exterior or interior walls of a building for protection and appearance.
Wall Panel
A prefabricated panel used to form the exterior or interior walls of a building.
Weld
A method of joining metal parts by melting and fusing them together.
Wind Bent
A structural frame designed to resist wind loads acting on a building.
Wind Column
A vertical structural member that helps transfer wind loads from the building to the foundation.
Wind Load
The force exerted on a structure by wind pressure and suction.
Width
The horizontal dimension of a building or structural component measured perpendicular to its length.
X
X-Bracing
A structural bracing system where members are arranged in an X pattern to resist lateral loads such as wind and seismic forces.
X-Section
A structural cross-section shaped like an “X,” used in specialized applications to provide strength and stability in multiple directions.
Y
Yield Point
The stress level at which a material stops returning to its original shape after the load is removed and begins to deform permanently.
Yield Strength
The maximum stress a material can withstand before it starts to deform permanently under load.
Z
Z-Section
A cold-formed steel section with a Z-shaped cross-section, commonly used in secondary framing such as purlins and girts due to its strength, light weight, and ease of lapping.
Z-Purlin
A Z-shaped cold-formed steel member used to support roof decking or wall cladding in metal building systems, allowing efficient load distribution and continuity over multiple spans.
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