Cold-Formed Steel Glossary

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Adjusted Shear Resistance: In Type II shear walls, the unadjusted shear resistance multiplied by the shear resistance adjustment factor.

Allowable Strength: Nominal strength divided by the safety factor Rn/Ω. [USA and Mexico]

Anchor Bolts: Bolts set in concrete, used to anchor structural members to concrete foundation.

Applicable Building Code: The building code under which the building is designed.

Approved: Acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.

ASD (Allowable Strength Design): Method of proportioning structural components such that the allowable strength equals or exceeds the required strength of the component under the action of the ASD load combinations. [USA and Mexico]

ASD Load Combination: Load combination in the applicable building code intended for allowable strength design (allowable stress design). [USA and Mexico]

Authority Having Jurisdiction: An organization, political subdivision, office, or individual responsible for administering and enforcing the provisions of the applicable building code.

Available Strength: Design strength or allowable strength, as appropriate. [USA and Mexico]

 

Back to Back: Two “C” section steel items with the back of the webs touching and flanges pointing away from each other. Should be screwed together to get maximum benefit.

Base Steel Thickness: The thickness of bare steel, exclusive of all coatings.

Batten: Length of material screwed to the structure to provide a fixing surface for roofing or ceiling material.

Beam: A length of sturdy squared material used to support the roof or floor of a building.

Beam Pocket: A space provided within a frame or truss for a beam to rest on and be fixed to.

Bearing Stiffener: Additional material is attached to the web to strengthen the member against web crippling. Also called a web stiffener.

Blocking: C-shaped member, break shape, flat strap material, or component assemblies attached to structural members, flat strap, or sheathing panels to transfer shear forces or stabilize members.

Blocking, Panel: Blocking that transmits shear between the panels of a shear wall or diaphragm.

Blocking, Stud: Blocking that provides torsional restraint to the studs in a shear wall.

Bottom Chord: The lowest longitudinal member of a truss or lintel. It’s usually horizontal, but may be at an incline depending on the truss or lintel design.

Bottom Plate: Refers to the bottom most horizontal member of a panel frame.

Bracing: Straps or sheeting applied to the face of framing or a roof, to help maintain a rigid square profile.

Bracket: A structural support projecting from a wall or column on which another structural member is fastened.

Buckling: Bending in an abnormal direction.

Building Code: Regulations established by a recognised agency describing design loads, procedures and construction details for structures. Usually apply to designated geographical areas.

Building Wrap: Breather type underlay fabric which allows water vapour to pass through from one direction.

 

“C” Section: A member cold-formed from steel coil in the shape of a “C”.

Cantilever: Projection of a building or member beyond its support.

Ceiling Joist: A horizontal structural member that supports ceiling components, which may be subject to attic loads.

Chord: Member of a shear wall, strap braced wall, or diaphragm that forms the perimeter, interior opening, discontinuity, or re-entrant corner.

Chord Member: A structural member that forms the top or bottom component of a truss.

Chord Splice: The connection region between two truss chord members where there is no change in slope.

Chord Stud: Axial load-bearing studs located at the ends of Type I shear walls or Type II shear wall segments or strap braced walls.

Cladding: The external envelope of the building, particularly of the walls.

Clip Angle: An L-shaped short piece of steel typically used for connections.

Code: Local authority or national building regulations or requirements.

Cold-Formed Sheet Steel: Sheet steel or strip steel manufactured by (1) press braking blanks sheared from sheets or cut length of coils or plates, or by (2) continuous roll forming of cold- or hot-rolled coils of sheet steel. Both forming operations are performed at ambient room temperature – without adding heat as required for hot forming.

Cold-Formed Steel: See Cold-Formed Sheet Steel.

Collector: Also known as a drag strut, a member parallel to the applied load that serves to transfer forces between diaphragms and members of the lateral force-resisting system or distributes forces within the diaphragm.

Component: See Structural Component.

Component Assembly: A fabricated assemblage, which consists primarily of cold-formed steel structural members, manufactured by the component manufacturer.

Component Manufacturer: The individual or organization that is responsible for the manufacturing of component assemblies for the project. Also referred to as truss manufacturer on projects involving trusses, but also referred to as a component manufacturer.

Concentrated Load: Superimposed load centred at a given point.

Concrete: Plastic mixture of aggregates, cement and water which will set to a given mould.

Connection: A combination of structural elements and joints used to transmit forces between two or more members.

Connector: A device used to transmit forces between cold-formed steel structural members or between a cold-formed steel structural member and another structural element.

Construction Documents: Written, graphic and pictorial documents prepared or assembled for describing the design (including the structural system), location, and physical characteristics of the elements of a building necessary to obtain a building permit and construct a building.

Contractor: Owner of the building, or the person that contracts with the owner, who constructs or manages the structure’s construction per the construction documents. Also referred to as owner’s representative for construction, but also referred to as a contractor.

Corner Jack: A single sloping girder truss at a 45o to its supporting truss. Used to form a ridge in a hip end.

Cripple Stud: A stud placed between a header and a window or door head track, a header and wall top track, or a windowsill and a bottom track to provide a backing to attach finishing and sheathing material.

C-Shape: A cold-formed steel shape used for structural members and non-structural members consisting of a web, 2 flanges, and 2 lips (edge stiffeners).

Curtain Wall: A wall that transfers transverse (out-of-plane) loads and is limited to a superimposed vertical load, exclusive of sheathing materials, of not more than 100 lb./ft (1.46 kN/m) or a superimposed vertical load of not more than 200 lbs. (0.890 kN).

 

Dead Load: Any permanent load such as the weight of the truss itself, purlins, sheathing, roofing, ceiling, etc.

Deflection: The amount a member bends or flexes under an applied load.

Deflection Track: A track manufactured with extended flanges and used at the top of a wall providing for vertical movement of the structure, independent of the wall stud.

Design Load: Applied load determined following either LRFD load combinations or ASD load combinations, whichever is applicable. [USA and Mexico]

Design Strength: Resistance factor multiplied by the nominal strength. [USA and Mexico]

Design Thickness: The steel thickness used in the design.

Designation Thickness: The minimum base steel thickness expressed in mils and rounded to a whole number.

Diaphragm: A large flat area braced to provide resistance from any direction.

DPC: Damp-Proof Course is a continuous layer of impervious material placed under the bottom plate to protect the upward migration of moisture. If using Zincalume steel do not use a DPC that has a carbon content.

Drawings:
Layout – layout of the site showing the position of the building and the positions of the services.
Details – larger-scale details to show exactly what is required at a certain position.
Plan – layout of the rooms showing all floor areas, windows, doors fixtures, fittings and services.

Dutch Gable: A roof with a small gable at the top of a hip end.

 

Eave Overhang: The horizontal projection of the roof measured from the outside face of the exterior wall framing to the outside edge of the roof.

Eaves: Same as to Soffit

Edge Stiffener: See Lip.

Erection: The on-site assembly of pre-engineered components to form complete structure.

Engineering: Calculations done by an Engineer to determine structural requirements.

 

Factored Load: Product of a load factor and the nominal load [specified load].

Factored Resistance: Product of nominal resistance and appropriate resistance factor. [Canada]

Fascia: Exterior timber/steel trim at the lower edge of a roof to which the spouting or gutter is attached.

Fiberboard: A fibrous, homogeneous panel made from lignocellulosic fibers (usually wood or cane) and having a density of less than 31 pounds per cubic foot (PCF) (497 kg/m3) but more than 10 PCF (160 kg/m3).

Flange: For a C-shape, U-shape, or track, that portion of the structural or nonstructural member that is perpendicular to the web. For a furring channel, that portion of the structural member or non-structural member connecting the webs.

Flashing: Waterproof material installed to prevent the passage of water into a structure at a cladding joint.

Floor Joist: A horizontal structural member that supports floor loads and superimposed vertical loads.

Foundations: Base of the building that rests on the ground and supports the structure.

Framed Opening: Opening in a wall that is framed with light gauge members.

Framing: Steel items that have been riveted together to form a panel frame. Frames make up the structural skeleton of a building.

 

Gable: The triangular upper part of a wall at the end of a ridged roof.

Galvanized: Steel coated with zinc to prevent the steel from rusting.

Girder: A main horizontal structural member that supports vertical loads from other members.

Girder Truss: A truss designed to carry heavy loads from other structural members framing into it.

Girt: Horizontal structural member that supports wall panels and is primarily subjected to bending under horizontal loads, such as wind load.

Grade: The designation of the minimum yield strength.

Grommet: A plastic ring inserted into a service hole to prevent chafing against the sharp steel edge.

Gusset Plate: A structural member used to facilitate the connection of truss chord or web members at a heel, ridge, other pitch break, or panel point.

Gutter: A tray used for carrying rainwater to a roof drain.

 

Hat-Shape: A singly symmetric shape consisting of at least two vertical webs and a horizontal stiffened flange which is used as a chord member in a truss.

Header: A horizontal structural member used over floor, roof, or wall openings to transfer loads around the opening to supporting structural members.

Heel: The connection region between the top and bottom truss chords of a non-parallel chord truss.

Heel Joint: The point on the truss where the top and bottom chords intersect.

Hip Roof: A type of roof where all sides slope downwards to the walls.

Hold Down: Also known as anchor bolts.
These can be: Expansion Bolt and washer, Expansion Bolt and “L” bracket, Brackets, Straps

Hybrid: Two LGS systems used together to make construction faster and easier.

 

Inspection: When used in conjunction with quality control and quality assurance, it shall mean the systematic examination and review of the work for compliance with the appropriate documents, with appropriate subsequent documentation.

Installation Drawings: Drawings that show the location and installation of the cold-formed steel structural framing. Also referred to as a truss placement diagram for truss construction.

Installer: Party responsible for the installation of cold-formed steel light-frame construction.

Insulation: Material used to prevent heat, cold, fire, or sound from passing through the framing.

Jack Stud: Term used to indicate that a stud member is less than full length.

Jack Truss: A small truss that slopes in one direction only and are supported by another truss at at least one end.

Jamb Stud: The vertical stud forming an opening.

Joists: Regularly spaced framing members of a floor.

 

“K” Brace: Bracing within the framing using diagonal members forming a “K” Shape.

King Stud: A stud, adjacent to a jack stud, that spans the full height of the wall and supports vertical and lateral loads.

 

Lateral Force-Resisting System: The structural elements and connections required to resist racking and overturning due to wind or seismic forces, other predominantly horizontal forces, or a combination, imposed upon the structure under the applicable building code.

Light-Frame Construction: Construction where the vertical and horizontal structural elements are primarily formed by a system of repetitive cold-formed steel or wood framing members.

Limit States: Those conditions where a structural member ceases to fulfill the function for which it was designed. Those states concerning safety are called the ultimate limit states. The ultimate limit state for strength is the maximum load-carrying capacity. Limit states that restrict the intended use of a member for reasons other than safety, such as deflection and vibration, are called serviceability limit states. [Canada]

Lintel: Structural member above a door or window opening.

Live Load: Any moving or variable load which the structure must support.

Lips: The small bent edges of the a steel profile.

Load: Force or other action that results from the weight of building materials, occupants and their possessions, environmental effects, differential movement, or restrained dimensional changes.

Load Bearing Wall: Exterior walls and any interior walls that are designed to take load from above.

Load Effect: Forces, stresses, and deformations produced in a structural component by the applied loads.

Load Factor: The factor that accounts for deviations of the actual load from the nominal load, uncertainties in the analysis that transforms the load into a load effect, and the probability that more than one extreme load will occur simultaneously. [USA and Mexico]

LRFD (Load and Resistance Factor Design): Method of proportioning structural components such that the design strength equals or exceeds the required strength of the component under the action of the LRFD load combinations. [USA and Mexico]

LRFD Load Combination: Load combination in the applicable building code intended for strength design (Load and Resistance Factor Design). [USA and Mexico]

LSD (Limit States Design): Method of proportioning structural components (members, connectors, connecting elements, and assemblages) such that no applicable limit state is exceeded when the structure is subjected to all appropriate load combinations. [Canada]

 

Mean Roof Height: The average of the roof eave height and the height to the highest point on the roof surface, except that eave height shall be used for roof angles less than or equal to 10 degrees (0.18 rad).

Mil: A unit of measurement equal to 1/1000 inch.

Multiple Span: The span made by a continuous member having intermediate supports.

 

Nogs: Short horizontal items between studs. Also known as Nogins or Blocking.

Nominal Load: The magnitude of the load specified by the applicable building code. [USA and Mexico]

Nominal Resistance (Resistance): The capacity of a structure or component to resist the effects of loads determined following this Standard using specified material strengths and dimensions. [Canada]

Nominal Strength: Strength of a structure or component (without the resistance factor or safety factor applied) to resist the load effects, as determined following this Standard. [USA and Mexico]

Nonstructural Member: A member in a steel-framed system that is not a part of the gravity load-resisting system, lateral force-resisting system, or building envelope.

 

Orientation Hole: A hole punched in the bottom plate of a wall frame to indicate the direction it is to be installed.

Outrigger: A member fixed to a truss to form an overhang beyond the wall line.

Overhang: The extension of the top chord of a truss beyond the outside of the heel.

Owner: The individual or entity organizing and financing the design and construction of the project.

 

Panel Point: The connection region between a web member and chord member in a truss.

Pile: Foundation post below the flooring level.

Pitch: Slope of a roof plane, usually expressed in degrees eg: 22 degree pitch.

Pitch Break: The connection region between two truss chord members where there is a change in slope, excluding the heel.

Plan Aspect Ratio: The ratio of the length (longer dimension) to the building’s width (shorter dimension).

Plans: Also referred to as construction drawings. Drawings prepared by the building designer for the owner of the project. These drawings include but are not limited to floor plans, framing plans, elevations, sections, details, and schedules as necessary to define the desired construction.

Plate: A wide strip of steel material.

Plating: Attaching metal plate to one or two sides of a support frame, floor joist, or lintel to provide extra strength.

Plumb: Upright, vertical

Point Load: A point load is a load applied to a single, specific point on a structural member as opposed to being evenly distributed.

Punchout: A hole made during the manufacturing process in the web of a steel framing member.

Purlin: Regularly spaced horizontal roof member set out on top of a steel roof to accommodate the roofing material prior to fixing.

 

Quality Assurance: The steel items spanning between support points carrying the roof loads.

Quality Assurance Inspector: Individual or agency designated to provide quality assurance inspection for the work being performed.

Quality Control: Controls and inspections implemented by the component manufacturer or installer to confirm that the material provided and work performed meet the requirements of the approved construction documents and referenced standards.

Quality Control Inspector: Individual or agency designated to perform quality control inspection tasks for the work being performed.

Quality Control Program: Program in which the component manufacturer or installer, as applicable, maintains detailed assembly or installation and inspection procedures to ensure conformance with the approved installation drawings, plans, specifications, and referenced standards.

 

Rafters: The steel items spanning between support points carrying the roof loads.

Rake Overhang: The horizontal projection of the roof measured from the outside face of a gable endwall to the outside edge of the roof.

Raking: An item that is not horizontal or vertical.

Rational Engineering Analysis: Analysis based on the theory that is appropriate for the situation, any relevant test data, if available, and sound engineering judgment.

Registered Design Professional: Architect or engineer licensed to practice their respective design profession as defined by the legal requirements of the jurisdiction where the building is to be constructed.

Repetitive Framing: A framing system where the wall, floor, and roof structural members are spaced no greater than 24 inches (610 mm) on center. Larger spaces are permitted at openings where the structural loads are transferred to headers or lintels and supporting studs, joists, or rafters.

Required Strength: Forces, stresses, and deformations produced in a structural component, determined by either structural analysis, for the LRFD or ASD load combinations, as appropriate or as specified by this Standard. [USA and Mexico]

Resistance Factor (ϕ): Factor that accounts for unavoidable deviations of the actual strength from the nominal strength [nominal resistance] and the manner and consequences of failure.

Ridge: The apex of the roof.

Rim Track: A horizontal structural member connected to the end of a floor joist.

Risk Category: A categorization of buildings and other structures for determination of flood, wind, snow, ice, and earthquake loads based on the risk associated with unacceptable performance.

Rivet: A small headed pin with expandable shank for joining light gauge steel.

Roof Rafter: A horizontal or sloped structural member that supports roof loads

 

Saddle Truss: Used to create a secondary roof line, placed on top of other trusses.

Safety Factor (Ω): Factor that accounts for the desired level of safety, including deviations of the actual load from the nominal load and uncertainties in the analysis that transforms the load into a load effect, in determining the nominal strength and for the manner and consequences of failure. [USA and Mexico]

Screw Off: Placing screws in their required locations to fix items together securely.

Seismic Design Category (SDC): A classification assigned by the applicable building code to a structure based upon its risk category and the severity of the design earthquake ground motion at the site.

Seismic Force-Resisting System: That part of the structural system that has been selected in the design to provide energy dissipation and the required resistance to seismic forces prescribed in the applicable building code.

Service Hole: A hole punched in the centre of the web to allow wires and pipes to pass through.

Shear Force: Force acting on material in a direction perpendicular to the extension (fixing).

Shear Wall: A wall with structural sheathing attached to cold-formed steel structural members and designed to primarily resist lateral forces parallel to the wall.

Shears: An electric or hand tool used to cut steel, also known as Snips.

Shim: A piece of steel or plastic used to level framing to the slab or flooring.

Shoot Wall: This is a wall that extends upward past the normal wall height to meet a ceiling or roof plane.

Shop Drawings: Drawings to produce individual component assemblies for the project.

Sill: The lower horizontal portion of a window or door opening.

Single Span: The span made by one continuous structural member without any intermediate supports.

Skillion Roof: A roof sloping on one direction only, without a ridge or peak.

Slab: A flat concrete floor that the framing rests on.

Soffit: The undersides of the roof overhang which are horizontal, and often have a gutter attached at the outer edge. Sometimes called Eaves.

Span: The distance between 2 supporting points.

Specifications: Written instructions, which, with the plans, define the materials, standards, design of the products, and workmanship expected on a construction project.

Specified Load: The magnitude of the load specified by the applicable building code, not including load factors. [Canada]

Spreader Bar: A beam used with a crane for lifting evenly from two or more points.

Square: When an internal corner equals 900.

Static Load: A load or series of loads that are supported by or are applied to a structure so gradually that forces caused by the change in momentum of the load and structural elements can be neglected, and all parts of the system at any instant are essentially in equilibrium.

Steel Sheet Sheathing: A panel of thin flat steel sheet.

Strap: Flat or coiled sheet steel material typically used for bracing or blocking, which transfers loads by tension or shear.

Strap Braced Wall: A wall with strap bracing attached to cold-formed steel structural members and designed to primarily resist lateral forces parallel to the wall.

Strap Bracing: Lengths of Strap attached to the face of wall, roof, or ceiling panels in a crossed orientation to make the framing rigid.

Structural Component: Member, connector, a connecting element, or assemblage.

Structural Member: A member that resists design loads [factored loads], as required by the applicable building code, except when defined as a nonstructural member.

Structural Sheathing: The structural sheathing capable of distributing loads, bracing members, and providing additional stability that strengthens the assembly.

Stud: Vertical item extending continuously from bottom to the top of a wall panel.

 

Top Chord: Inclined or horizontal upper member of a truss or lintel.

Top Hat Profile: The shape of the truss profile. Called “Top Hat” as it looks like a traditional top hat.

Top Plate: Refers to the top horizontal or raking member of a wall panel.

Track: A structural member or nonstructural member consisting of only a web and two (2) flanges. Track web depth measurements are taken to the inside of the flanges.

Truncated Girder: A girder truss with a horizontal portion across the top allowing for other members to pass over perpendicular to it.

Truss: Shorter framing members assembled into many triangles to form a rigid shape to span between supports. Usually used to form a roof or a suspended floor.

Truss Design Drawing: Written, graphic, and pictorial depiction of an individual truss.

Truss Design Engineer: A person licensed to practice engineering as defined by the legal requirements of the jurisdiction where the building is to be constructed, and supervises the preparation of the truss design drawings.

Truss Designer: The person responsible for the preparation of the truss design drawings.

Truss Manufacturer: An individual or organization engaged in the manufacturing of site-built or in-plant trusses.

Truss Member: A chord member or web member of a truss.

Type I Shear Wall: Wall designed to resist in-plane lateral forces that are fully sheathed and provided with hold-downs at each end of the wall segment.

Type II Shear Wall: Wall designed to resist in-plane lateral forces that are sheathed with wood structural panels or steel sheet sheathing that contains openings, but which has not been specifically designed and detailed for force transfer around wall openings. Hold-downs for Type II shear walls are only required at the ends of the wall.

Type II Shear Wall Segment: Section of a shear wall (within a Type II shear wall) with full-height sheathing (i.e., with no openings) and which meets specific aspect ratio limits.

 

Uniform Load: Loads that are equal along the entire length of a member.

Uplift: Wind load on a building which causes a load in an upward direction.

 

Valley: The “V” created where two sloping roofs meet.

Vapour Barrier: Sheet material which inhibits the passage of water vapour into the building.

 

Wall Pier: A section of a Type I shear wall adjacent to an opening and equal in height to the opening, and designed to resist lateral forces in the plane of the wall.

Web: The widest part of the “C” section that joins the two sides together. This has the small ribs in it.

Web Member: Members that join the top and bottom chords to form the triangular patterns typical of trusses and lintels.

Wind Exposure: Wind exposure following the applicable building code.

Wood Structural Panel: A panel manufactured from veneers, wood strands, or wafers or a combination of veneer and wood strands or wafers bonded together with waterproof synthetic resins or other suitable bonding systems.

 

Yield Strength: The strength of steel. Usually G550 or G35.

 

Z-Shape: A point-symmetric or non-symmetric section that is used as a chord member in a truss.