Structural Systems

Commercial and industrial buildings are constructed around a structural framework of reinforced concrete and structural steel.

Concrete Construction

One of the two major above-grade structural systems that uses reinforced concrete members.

Steel Construction

One of the two major above-grade structural systems that uses structural steel framing.

Cast-in-Place Concrete

Concrete that is cast directly at the construction site and may be affected by weather conditions.

Architectural Concrete

Concrete left exposed to create a finished appearance.

Precast Concrete

Concrete cast at a plant and transported to the construction site for installation.

One-Way Slab System

A floor system in which the main reinforcing steel spans in one direction and supports run parallel.

Two-Way Slab System

A floor system in which the main reinforcing steel spans in two directions.

Flat Plate Slab System

A type of two-way slab system that transfers loads directly to columns.

Waffle Slab

A two-way slab system that uses pans or domes to form a support structure.

Rebar

Steel reinforcing bars used in concrete floors, beams, and columns to resist compression, tension, and shear forces.

Deformed Rebar

Rebar with surface deformations that provide a stronger bond with concrete.

Plain Rebar

Smooth reinforcing bars with less bond strength than deformed bars.

Rebar Identification

Rebar is designated by the number of bars, bar size, placement, and spacing.

#5 Rebar

A reinforcing bar with a diameter of 5/8 inch.

Columns

Vertical support members designed to carry the anticipated building load.

Concrete Columns

Columns reinforced with rebar to increase strength.

Column Grid System

A numbering and lettering system used to identify column locations on drawings.

Column Schedule

A schedule providing column location, size, reinforcement, and tie information.

Column Ties

Reinforcing elements that hold vertical bars in place within a column.

Beams

Horizontal structural members located beneath floor systems and supported by beams, girders, or columns.

Girders

Large structural members that support beams and transfer loads to columns.

Stirrups

Reinforcing steel used in beams to hold bars in place and provide reinforcement.

Chairs

Supports used to maintain rebar at the correct elevation within concrete formwork.

Beam Schedule

A schedule providing detailed information about beam size and reinforcement requirements.

Framing Plan

A drawing showing the arrangement of structural members and load paths.

Rebar Splice

The overlapping or joining of reinforcing bars when a member exceeds the available bar length.

Lap Splice

A rebar connection created by overlapping bars for a specified distance.

30 diamter Minimum Lap

The minimum lap has to be 30 times the dimater #4 reber=1/2" x 30 diameters= 15" overlap

Mechanical Fastening

A method of joining reinforcing bars to transfer loads between them.

Welded Rebar Connection

A method of joining reinforcing bars through welding to transfer loads.

Prestressed Concrete

Uses cables to pull togheter lower half of beam before load is placed on it, puts the concrete into compression, uses less materials

Pretensioned Concrete

A prestressed concrete method where cable are tensioned before the concrete is placed.

Posttensioned Concrete

A prestressed concrete method where cables are tensioned after the concrete has hardened.

Structural Steel

Steel used for structural framing members in buildings.

Wide-Flange Beam

A common structural steel shape used for beams and columns.

I-Beam

A structural steel member with an I-shaped cross section.

Angles

L-shaped structural steel sections used for framing and connections.

Pipes

Round structural steel sections used in construction.

Tubes

Hollow structural steel sections used as framing members.

Channels

C-shaped structural steel members used in framing applications.

Tees

T-shaped structural steel sections used for framing support.

Spandrel Beams

Exterior beams that support floor and wall loads around the perimeter of a structure.

Steel Columns

Vertical structural steel members that transfer loads to the foundation.

Steel Trusses

Structural frameworks made of interconnected members used to span long distances.

Load Path

The transfer of loads from floors to beams, beams to columns, and columns to foundations.

Open-Web Steel Joists

Lightweight steel framing members used for floor and roof structures support loads more efficiently than wide flange beams

Top-Bearing Joist

A steel joist that rests on top of its support.

Bottom-Bearing Joist

A steel joist connected to the side of its support.

Steel Joist Institute

The organization that standardizes steel joist specifications and labeling.

K-Series Joists

A standard series of open-web steel joists.

LH-Series Joists

Longspan open-web steel joists used for greater spans.

DLH-Series Joists

Deep longspan open-web steel joists used for very large spans.

Welded Connections

Steel member connections made using welding.

Bolted Connections

Steel member connections made using high-strength bolts.

Rivets

Older fastening devices for structural steel that have largely been replaced by high-strength bolts.

Metal Decking

Steel decking that supports concrete floor systems in structural steel buildings nearly all the time

Line system grade mark

Use one line to identify the grade 60

Steel reinforcing bar marks

Main ribs, initial of producing mill, bar size, type of steel

Number system grade marks

uses a grade mark to identify grade 60

S

carbon steel

W

Low alloy steel

A

Axle steel

Grade 60

60,000 pound per square inches

Comlumn mark

CO1, CO2, CO3, used to identify each column

Column schedule

Size, base plate elevation, base plate size, anchor bolts

Beam Schedule

Beam mark, beam size, reinforcing, size, type

W section steel

Most commonly used for beams and columns