GLOSSARY

Buyer. The entity that has agreed to purchase material from

NOTES:
the manufacturer and has also agreed to the terms of sale.
Terms in Bold and their definitions come from the AISC AND
Camber. An upward curvature of the chords of a joist or
AISI STANDARD Standard Definitions for Use in the Design
Joist Girder induced during shop fabrication. Note this is in
of Steel Structures, 2004 Edition, First Printing April 2005.
addition to the pitch of the top chord.
* These terms are usually qualified by the type of load
Ceiling Extension. A bottom chord extension except that
effect, e.g., nominal tensile strength, available com-
only one angle of the joist bottom chord is extended from the
pressive strength, design flexural strength.
first bottom chord panel point towards the end of the joist.
** Term usually qualified by the type of component, e.g.
Chords. The top and bottom members of a joist or Joist
local web buckling, local flange buckling, etc.
Girder. When a chord is comprised of two angles there is
Accessories. Structural components related to the design, usually a gap between the members.
fabrication and erection of joists and Joist Girders including,
Clear Span. The actual clear distance or opening between
but not limited to sloped end bearings, extended ends, ceil-
supports for a joist, that is the distance between walls or the
ing extensions, bridging and bridging anchors, headers and
distance between the edges of flanges of beams.
bottom chord lateral bracing for Joist Girders.
Cold-Formed Steel Structural Member. Shape manufac-
ASD (Allowable Strength Design). Method of proportion-
tured by press-braking blanks sheared from sheets, cut
ing structural components such that the allowable strength
lengths of coils or plates, or by roll forming cold- or hot-rolled
equals or exceeds the required strength of the component
coils or sheets; both forming operations being performed at
under the action of the ASD load combinations.
ambient room temperature, that is, without manifest addition
ASD Load Combination. Load combination in the applica- of heat such as would be required for hot forming.
ble building code intended for allowable strength design
Collateral Load. All additional dead loads other than the
(allowable stress design).
weight of the building, such as sprinklers, pipes, ceilings,
Allowable Strength*. Nominal strength divided by the safe- and mechanical or electrical components.
Ω.
ty factor, Rn /Ω
Connection. Combination of structural elements and joints
Applicable Building Code. Building code under which the used to transmit forces between two or more members. See
structure is designed. also Splice.
Available Strength*. Design strength or allowable strength Deck. A floor or roof covering made out of gage metal
as appropriate. attached by welding or mechanical means to joists, beams,
Bay. The distance between the main structural frames or purlins, or other structural members and can be galvanized,
walls of a building. painted, or unpainted.

Bearing. The distance that the bearing shoe or seat of a Design Load. Applied load determined in accordance with
joist or Joist Girder extends over its masonry, concrete or either LRFD load combinations or ASD load combinations,
steel support. whichever is applicable.

Bearing Plate. The steel plate used for a joist or Joist Girder Design Strength*. Resistance factor multiplied by the nom-
to bear on when it is supported by masonry or concrete sup- inal strength, φRn.
ports. The plate is designed by the Specifying Professional Diagonal Bridging. Two angles or other structural shapes
to carry the joist reaction to the supporting structure. connected from the top chord of one joist to the bottom
Bottom Chord Extension (BCX). The two angle extended chord of the next joist to form an ‘X’ shape. These members
part of a joist bottom chord from the first bottom chord panel are almost always connected at their point of intersection.
point towards the end of the joist. Diaphragm. Roof, floor or other membrane or bracing sys-
Bridging. In general, a member connected to a joist to brace tem that transfers in-plane forces to the lateral force resist-
it from lateral movement. See also Diagonal Bridging and ing system.
Horizontal Bridging Effective Length. Length of an otherwise identical column
Buckling. Limit state of sudden change in the geometry of a with the same strength when analyzed with pin-ended
structure or any of its elements under a critical loading con- boundary conditions.
dition. Elastic Analysis. Structural analysis based on the assump-
Buckling Strength. Nominal strength for buckling or instability tion that the structure returns to its original geometry on
limit states. removal of the load.

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 GLOSSARY

End Diagonal or Web. The first web member on either end Joist Substitute. A structural member who’s intended use is
of a joist or Joist Girder which begins at the top chord at the for very short spans (10 feet or less) where open web steel
seat and ends at the first bottom chord panel point. joists are impractical. They are usually used for short spans
in skewed bays, over corridors or for outriggers. It can be
Erector. The entity that is responsible for the safe and prop-
made up of two or four angles to form channel sections or
er erection of the materials in accordance with all applicable
box sections.
codes and regulations.
Lateral Buckling. Buckling mode of a flexural member
Extended End. The extended part of a joist top chord with
involving deflection normal to the plane of bending.
the seat angles also being extended from the end of the joist
extension back into the joist and maintaining the standard Lateral-Torsional Buckling. Buckling mode of a flexural
end bearing depth over the entire length of the extension. member involving deflection normal to the plane of bending
occurring simultaneously with twist about the shear center of
Factored Load. Product of a load factor and the nominal
the cross section.
load.
Limit State. Condition in which a structure or component
Filler. A rod, plate or angle welded between a two angle web
becomes unfit for service and is judged either to be no
member or between a top or bottom chord panel to tie them
longer useful for its intended function (serviceability limit
together, usually located at the middle of the member.
state) or to have reached its ultimate load-carrying capacity
Flexural Buckling. Buckling mode in which a compression (strength limit state).
member deflects laterally without twist or change in cross-
Load. Force or other action that results from the weight of
sectional shape.
building materials, occupants and their possessions, envi-
Flexural-Torsional Buckling. Buckling mode in which a ronmental effects, differential movement, or restrained
compression member bends and twists simultaneously with- dimensional changes.
out change in cross-sectional shape.
Load Effect. Forces, stresses, and deformations produced
Girt. Horizontal structural member that supports wall panels in a structural component by the applied loads.
and is primarily subjected to bending under horizontal loads,
Load Factor. Factor that accounts for deviations of the
such as wind load.
nominal load from the actual load, for uncertainties in the
Gravity Load. Load, such as that produced by dead and live analysis that transforms the load into a load effect, and for
loads, acting in the downward direction. the probability that more than one extreme load will occur
Header. A structural member located between two joists or simultaneously.
between a joist and a wall which carries another joist or Local Buckling**. Limit state of buckling of a compression
joists. It is usually made up of an angle, channel, or beam element within a cross section.
with saddle angle connections on each end for bearing.
LRFD (Load and Resistance Factor Design). Method of
Horizontal Bridging. A continuous angle or other structural proportioning structural components such that the design
shape connected to the top and bottom chord of a joist. strength equals or exceeds the required strength of the
Inelastic Analysis. Structural analysis that takes into account component under the action of the LRFD load combinations.
inelastic material behavior, including plastic analysis. LRFD Load Combination. Load combination in the appli-
Instability. Limit state reached in the loading of a structural cable building code intended for strength design (Load and
component, frame or structure in which a slight disturbance Resistance Factor Design).
in the loads or geometry produces large displacements. Material. Joists, Joist Girders and accessories as provided
Joint. Area where two or more ends, surfaces or edges are by the Seller.
attached. Categorized by type of fastener or weld used and Nailers. Strips of lumber attached to the top chord of a joist
the method of force transfer. so plywood or other flooring can be nailed directly to the
Joist. A structural load-carrying member with an open web joist.
system which supports floors and roofs utilizing hot-rolled or Nominal Load. Magnitude of the load specified by the
cold-formed steel and is designed as a simple span mem- applicable building code.
ber. Currently, the SJI has the following joist designations:
Nominal Strength*. Strength of a structure or component
K-Series including KCS, LH-Series and DLH-Series.
(without the resistance factor or safety factor applied) to
Joist Girder. A primary structural load-carrying member with resist the load effects, as determined in accordance with
an open web system designed as a simple span supporting these Standard Specifications.
equally spaced concentrated loads of a floor or roof system
Owner. The entity that is identified as such in the Contract
acting at the panel points of the member and utilizing hot-
Documents.
rolled or cold-formed steel.

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 GLOSSARY

Permanent Load. Load in which variations over time are rare Span. The centerline-to-centerline distance between struc-
or of small magnitude. All other loads are variable loads. tural steel supports such as a beam, column or Joist Girder
or the clear span distance plus four inches onto a masonry
Placement Plans. Drawings that are prepared depicting the
or concrete wall.
interpretation of the Contract Documents requirements for the
material to be supplied by the Seller. These floor and/or roof Specified Minimum Yield Stress. Lower limit of yield
plans are approved by the Specifying Professional, Buyer or stress specified for a material as defined by ASTM.
Owner for conformance with the design requirements. The
Specifying Professional. The licensed professional who is
Seller uses the information contained on these drawings for
responsible for sealing the building Contract Documents,
final material design. A unique piece mark number is typical-
which indicates that he or she has performed or supervised the
ly shown for the individual placement of joists, Joist Girders
analysis, design and document preparation for the structure
and accessories along with sections that describe the end
and has knowledge of the load-carrying structural system.
bearing conditions and minimum attachment required so that
material is placed in the proper location in the field. Splice. Connection between two structural members joined
at their ends by either bolting or welding to form a single,
Ponding. Retention of water at low or irregular areas on a
longer member.
roof due solely to the deflection of flat roof framing.
Stability. Condition reached in the loading of a structural com-
Purlin. Horizontal structural member that supports roof
ponent, frame or structure in which a slight disturbance in the
deck and is primarily subjected to bending under vertical
loads or geometry does not produce large displacements.
loads such as dead, snow or wind loads.
Stabilizer Plate. A steel plate at a column or wall inserted
Quality Assurance. System of shop and field activities and
between the end of a bottom chord of a joist or Joist Girder.
controls implemented by the owner or his/her designated
representative to provide confidence to the owner and the Standard Specifications. Documents developed and
building authority that quality requirements are implemented. maintained by the Steel Joist Institute for the design and
manufacture of open web steel joists and Joist Girders. The
Quality Control. System of shop and field controls imple-
term “SJI Standard Specifications” encompass by reference
mented by the seller and erector to ensure that contract and
the following:
company fabrication and erection requirements are met.
ANSI/SJI-K-1.1 Standard Specifications for Open Web Steel
Required Strength*. Forces, stress, and deformations pro-
Joists, K-Series; ANSI/SJI-LH/DLH-1.1 Standard
duced in a structural component, determined by either struc-
Specifications for Longspan Steel Joists, LH-Series and
tural analysis, for the LRFD or ASD load combinations, as
Deep Longspan Steel Joists, DLH-Series; and ANSI/SJI-JG-
appropriate, or as specified by these Standard Specifications.
1.1 Standard Specifications for Joist Girders.
Resistance Factor, φ. Factor that accounts for unavoidable
Strength Limit State. Limiting condition affecting the safety
deviations of the nominal strength from the actual strength
of the structure, in which the ultimate load-carrying capacity
and for the manner and consequences of failure.
is reached.
Safety Factor, Ω. Factor that accounts for deviations of the
Structural Analysis. Determination of load effects on
actual strength from the nominal strength, deviations of the
members and connections based on principles of structural
actual load from the nominal load, uncertainties in the analy-
mechanics.
sis that transforms the load into a load effect and for the
manner and consequences of failure. Structural Drawings. The graphic or pictorial portions of the
Contract Documents showing the design, location and
Seller. A company certified by the Joist Institute engaged in
dimensions of the work. These documents generally include
the manufacture and distribution of joists, Joist Girders and
plans, elevations, sections, details, connections, all loads,
accessories.
schedules, diagrams and notes.
Service Load. Load under which serviceability limit states
Tagged End. The end of a joist or Joist Girder where an
are evaluated.
identification or piece mark is shown by a metal tag. The
Serviceability Limit State. Limiting condition affecting the member must be erected with this tagged end in the same
ability of a structure to preserve its appearance, maintain- position as the tagged end noted on the placement plan.
ability, durability, or the comfort of its occupants or function
Tensile Strength (of material). Maximum tensile stress
of machinery, under normal usage.
that a material is capable of sustaining as defined by ASTM.
Slenderness Ratio. The ratio of the effective length of a col-
Tie Joist. A joist that is bolted at a column.
umn to the radius of gyration of the column about the same
axis of bending.

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 GLOSSARY

Top Chord Extension (TCX). The extended part of a joist top

chord. This type of extension only has the two top chord
angles extended past the joist seat.
Torsional Buckling. Buckling mode in which a compression
member twists about its shear center axis.
Unbraced Length. Distance between braced points of a
member, measured between the centers of gravity of the
bracing members.
Variable Load. Load not classified as permanent load.
Webs. The vertical or diagonal members joined at the top
and bottom chords of a joist or Joist Girder to form triangular
patterns.
Yield Point. First stress in a material at which an increase
in strain occurs without an increase in stress as defined by
ASTM.
Yield Strength. Stress at which a material exhibits a spec-
ified limiting deviation from the proportionality of stress to
strain as defined by ASTM.
Yield Stress. Generic term to denote either yield point or
yield strength, as appropriate for the material.

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