To look up a word simply click the first letter: A B C D E F G H I J K L M O P R S T U V W

Accessory - A building product that supplements the building structure and coverings such as door, window, skylight ventilator, etc.

Anchor Bolts - Bolts used to anchor structural members to the foundation.

Assembly - A group of mutually dependent components.

Astragal - A closure between the two leaves of a double swing door or double slide door.

Base Angle - An angle secured to the foundation and used to attach the bottom of the wall paneling.

Base Plate - A plate attached to the bottom of a column that rests on a foundation and is secured by anchor bolts.

Bay - The space between the main frames measured parallel to the sidewall.

Bearing Plate - A steel plate that is set on the top of a masonry support on which a rafter, purlin or joist can rest.

Bird Screen - Wire mesh used to prevent birds from entering the building through ventilators and louvers.

Brace Rods - Braces used in the plane of the rook and walls to transfer loads, such as wind, seismic and crane thrusts to the foundation.

Bracket - A structural support projecting from a column on which to fasten another structural member. Examples are canopy brackets and crane runway brackets.

Bridge Crane - A load lifting system consisting of a hoist that moves laterally on a bridge that in turn moves longitudinally on a runway made of beams and rails.

Building - A structure forming an open, partially enclosed, or enclosed space constructed by a planned process of combining materials and components to meet specific conditions of use.

Building Code - Regulations established by a recognized agency describing design loads, procedures and construction details for structures. Usually applying to designated political jurisdiction (city, county, state, etc.)

Building Length - The dimension of the building measured perpendicular to the main framing from endwall to endwall.

Building Specifications - A statement of building requirements describing the loading conditions, design practices, materials and finishes.

Built-Up Roofing - A roof covering made up of alternating layers of tar and asphaltic materials.

Built-Up Section - A structural member made from individual flat plates welded together.

Butt Plate - The end plate of a structural member used to rest against a like plate of another member in forming a connection. Sometimes called a splice plate or bolted end plate.

Camber - Curvature of a flexural member in the plane of its web before loading.

Canopy - A projection roof system that is supported and restrained at one end only.

Capillary Action - That action which causes movement of liquids when in contact with two adjacent surfaces such as panel sidelaps.

Cap Plate - A plate located at the top of a column or end of a beam for capping the exposed end of the member.

Caulk - See "Sealant".

Clip - A plate or angle used to fasten two or more members together.

Closure Strip - Rubber or metal strip or plug formed to the contour of roof or wall panels and used to close openings created by the ribbed panels joining other components.

Cold Forming - The process of using press brakes or rolling mills to shape steel into desired cross sections at room temperature.

Collateral Loads - The weight of additional dead loads other than the Building System such as sprinklers, mechanical and electrical systems, partitions and ceilings.

Column - A main member used in a vertical position on a building to transfer loads from the rafters to the foundation.

Component - A part used in the Building System.

Composite Panel - A panel assembly used as covering; consists of an insulating core material with inner and outer metal skins.

Covering - The exterior roof and wall paneling of a Building System.

Crane Runway Beam - The member that supports a crane rail and is supported by columns or rafters depending on the type of crane system.

Curb - A raised edge on a concrete floor slab or roof accessory.

Curtain Wall - Perimeter wall panels that carry only their own weight and wind loads.

Damper - A baffler used to open or close the throat of ventilators.

Dead Load - The weight of the Building System construction consisting of member such as framing and covering, plus all collateral loads.

Deflection - The displacement of a structural member or system under load.

Design Loads - The specific loads, which the Building System is designed to safely resist.

Diagonal Bracing - See "Brace Rods".

Diaphragm Action - The resistance to wind loads offered by the panels, fasteners, and members to which they are attached.

Door Guide - An angle or channel used to stabilize a sliding door during its operation.

Downspout - A conduit used to carry water from the gutter of a building.

Eave - The line along the sidewall formed by the intersection of the panels of the roof and wall.

Eave Height - The vertical dimension from finished floor to the eave.

Eave Strut - A structural member located at the eave of a building that supports roof and wall paneling.

End Bay - The bays adjacent to the endwalls of a building.

End Frame - A frame located at the endwall of a building that supports the loads from a portion of the end bay.

Endwall - The exterior edge of the building that is parallel to the main frames of the building.

Endwall Column - A vertical member located at the endwall of a building, which supports the girts. In post and beam endwalls, the endwall columns also support the beam.

Erection - The on-site assembling of fabricated Building Systems components to form a completed structure.

Expansion Joint - A break or space in construction to allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the materials used in the structure.

Exterior Girts - A wall framing system where the girts are mounted on the outside of the columns.

Façade - A decorative band of panels or other materials around the perimeter of the roof, often used to conceal the gable.

Field - The "job site" or "building site".

Filler Strip - See "Closure".

Fixed Based - A column that is designed to resist rotation as well as horizontal or vertical movement.

Flange Brace - A bracing member used to provide lateral support to the flange of a structural member.

Flashing - Light gage materials used to close and finish roof transitions, roof openings and wall openings.

Floor Live Load - Those loads induced on the floor system by the use and occupancy of the building.

Flush Girts - A wall framing system where the outside flange of the girts and the columns are flush.

Footing - A pad of concrete, located under a column or wall, which is used to distribute the loads from that member into the supporting soil.

Foundations - The substructure that supports a building.

Framed Opening - Jamb, headers and flashing which surround an opening in the wall of a building.

Gable - The triangular portion of the endwall from the level of the eave to the ridge of the roof.

Gable Roof - A roof consisting of two sloping sides that form a ridge and a gable at each end.

"Galvalume" Coated - Steel coated with zinc and aluminum for corrosion resistance.

Galvanized - Steel coated with zinc for corrosion resistance.

Girder - A main horizontal structural member that supports vertical loads.

Girt - A horizontal structural member that is attached to sidewall or endwall columns and supports wall paneling.

Glaze or Glazing - The process of installing glass in windows and doors.

Grade - The term used when referring to the ground elevation around a building.

Grade Beam - A concrete beam around the perimeter of a building.

Grout - A mixture of cement, sand and water used to fill cracks and cavities. Sometimes used under base plates to obtain uniform bearing surfaces.

Gusset Plate - A steel plate used to reinforce structural elements.

Gutter - A metal member at an eave, valley or parapet designed to carry water from the roof to downspouts or drains.

Haunch - The deepened portion of a column or rafter designed to accommodate the higher bending moments at such points. (Usually occurs at the intersection of column and rafter.)

Header - The horizontal framing member located at the top of a framed opening.

High Strength Bolts - Any bolt made from steel having a tensile strength in excess of 100,000 pounds per square inch.

Hip - The line formed where two adjacent sloping planes of a roof meet.

Hip Roof - A roof that is formed by sloping planes from all four sides.

Hot-Rolled Shapes - Steel sections (angles, channels, S-shapes, W-shapes, etc.), which are formed by rolling mills while the steel is in a semi-molted state.

Ice Dam - A buildup of ice, which forms a dam on the roof covering along the eave of the building.

Impact Load - A dynamic load resulting from the motion of machinery, elevators, crane ways, vehicles and other similar moving forces.

Insulation - Any material used to support another beam or rafter and eliminate a column support.

Jack Beam - A beam used to support another beam or rafter and eliminate a column support.

Jamb - The vertical-framing members located at the sides of an opening.

Jib Crane - A cantilevered beam with hoist and trolley. The lifting device may pick up loads in all or part of a circle around the column to which it is attached.

Kip - A unit of measure equal to 1,000 pounds.

Knee - The connecting area of a column and rafter of a structural frame such as a rigid frame.

Knee Brace - A diagonal brace designed to resist horizontal loads.

Ksi - Kips per square inch, measurement of stress intensity.

Light Transmitting Panels - Panels used to admit light. Made of translucent, fiberglass reinforced plastic of the same configuration as the metal roof and wall panels.

Liner Panel - A metal panel attached to the inside flange of the girts, or to subframing on the inside of a wall panel.

Live Load - Loads that are produced (1) during maintenance by workers, equipment and materials, and (2) during the life of the structure by movable objects and do not include wind, snow, seismic or dead loads.

Longitudinal - The direction parallel to the sidewalk.

Louver - An opening provided with fixed or movable, slanted fins to allow flow of air.

Main Framing - The main load carrying members of a structural system.

Masonry - Anything constructed of materials such as bricks, concrete blocks, ceramic blocks and concrete.

Mastic - See "Sealant".

Mezzanine - An intermediate level between floor and ceiling occupying a partial area of the floor space.

Monolithic Construction - A method of pouring concrete grade beam and floor slab together to form the building foundation.

Monorail Crane - A crane that travels on a single runway beam, usually a standard beam.

Multi-Gable Building - Buildings consisting of more than one gable across the width of the building.

Multi-Span Building - Buildings consisting of a single gable with interior columns to support the rafters.

Overhead Doors - Doors constructed in horizontally hinged sections. They are equipped with hardware that rolls the sections into an overhead position, clear of the opening.

Panels - Light gage metal sheets of composite assemblies, usually with a ribbed configuration and used for roof and wall covering.

Panel Notch - A notch formed along the outside edge of the floor slab to provide support for the wall panels and serve as a protective projection along their bottom edge.

Parapet - That portion of the vertical wall of a building, which extends above the roofline.

Part Number - A number given to each separate part of the building for erection identification. Also called part mark or piece mark.

Peak - The uppermost point of a gable.

Peak Sign - A sign attached to the peak of the building at the endwall showing the building manufacturer.

Pilaster - A reinforced or enlarged portion of a masonry wall to provide support for roof loads or lateral loads on the wall.

Pinned Base - A column base that is designed to resist horizontal and vertical movement, but not rotation.

Ponding - The gathering of water at low or irregular areas on a roof.

Portal Frame - A rigid frame so designed that it offers rigidity and stability in its plane. It is used to resist wind loads where diagonal bracing is not permitted.

Post and Beam Endwall - A structural system consisting of a series of rafters supported by columns. Used as the end frame of a building.

Purlin - A horizontal structural member attached to the rafters and which supports roof panels.

Rafter - The main beam supporting the roof system.

Rake - The intersection of the plane of the roof and the plane of the gable.

Rake Angle - Angle fastened to purlins at rake for attachment of endwall panels and roof panels.

Reactions - The resisting forces at the column bases holding the structure in equilibrium under a given loading condition.

Reinforcing Steel - The steel placed in concrete as required to carry the tension, compression and shear stresses.

Retrofit - The placing of new roof or wall systems over deteriorated roofs or obsolete roof and walls.

Ridge - The horizontal line formed by opposing sloping sides of a roof running parallel with the building length.

Ridge Cap - A transition of the roofing materials along the ridge of a roof.

Rigid Frame - A structural frame consisting of members joined together so as to render the frame stable with respect to the design loads, without the need for bracing in its plane.

Roof Covering - The extension beyond the endwall or sidewall of a building.

Roof Overhang - A roof extension beyond the endwall or sidewall of a building.

Roof Pitch - Ratio of rise to width.

Roof Slope - The angle that a roof surface makes with the horizontal. Usually expressed in units of vertical rise to 12 units of horizontal run.

Sag Angle - A tension member used to limit the deflection of a girt or purlin in the direction of its weak axis.

Scupper - An opening through a parapet or façade designed to direct the flow of water out through the face of the gutter rather than through a downspout.

Sealant - Any material, which is used to seal cracks, joints or laps. May be used in liquid and semi-solid forms.

Seismic Load - The lateral load acting in any horizontal direction on a structural system due to the action of an earthquake.

Self Drilling Screw - A fastener which combines the functions of drilling and tapping.

Self Tapping Screw - A fastener which taps its own threads in a predrilled hole.

Sidewall - The exterior edge of the building, which is perpendicular to the main frames of the building.

Sill - The bottom horizontal framing member of a wall opening such as a window or door.

Single Slope - A sloping rood in one plane. The slope is from one wall to the opposite wall.

Single Span - A building or structural member without interior columns.

Skylight - A roof accessory to admit light, normally mounted on a curbed framed opening.

Slide Door - A single or double leaf door, which opens horizontally by means or sliding on an overhead trolley.

Snow Load - That load induced by the weight of snow on the roof of the structure.

Soffit - A material, which covers the underside of an overhang.

Soil Pressure - The load per unit area a structure will exert through its foundation on the soil.

Span - The distance between the main frame columns measured parallel to the endwall.

Splice - A connection between two components to provide continuity of the components' function.

Steel Line - The plane of the exterior surfaces of the sidewall and endwall framing. Normally, the plane of the interior wall surface. Building length and building width are measured to the steel line of the endwalls and sidewalls.

Strut - A brace fitted into a framework, which resists axial force.

Stud - A vertical wall member to which exterior or interior covering or collateral material may be attached. May be either load bearing or non-load bearing.

Sweep - The amount of deviation of straightness of a structural section measured perpendicular to the web of the member.

Swing Doors - A door used by personnel for access to and exit from a building. Also referred to as personnel doors or walk doors.

Thermal Block - A spacer of low thermal conductance material.

Thermal Conductivity, (k) - The rate of heat flow, in BTU's per hour, through a square foot of material exactly one inch thick whose surfaces have a temperature differential of 1 F.

Thermal Conductance, (C) - The rate of heat flow, in BTU's per hour, through a square foot of material or a combination of materials whose surfaces have a temperature differential of 1 F.

Thermal Resistance, (R) - Resistance to heat flow. The reciprocal of conductance (C).

Thermal Transmittance, (U) - The rate of heat flow per square foot under steady conditions from the air on the warm side of a roof or wall assembly to the air on the cold side, for 1 F of temperature difference between the two (BTU/Ft2/hr/1 F).

Transverse - The direction parallel to the endwalls.

Tributary Area - The area that contributes load to a specific structural component.

Trim - The light gage metal used in the finish of a building, especially around openings and at intersections of surfaces, such as wall corner trim, eave and gable trim, etc.

Turn-of-the-Nut-Method - A method for pre-tensioning high strength bolts. The nut is turned from the snug-tight position, corresponding to a few blows of an impact wrench or the full effort of a man using an ordinary spud wrench, the amount of rotation required being a function of the bolt diameter and length.

Uplift - Wind load on a building, which causes a load in the upward direction.

Valley Gutter - A channel used to carry off water from the "V" of roofs of multi-gabled buildings.

Ventilator - An accessory, usually used on the roof, which allows the air pass through.

Wainscot - Wall material, used in the lower portion of a wall, that is different from the material in the rest of the wall.

Wall Covering - The exterior wall surface consisting of panels.

Width - The dimension of the building measured parallel to the main framing from sidewall to sidewall.

Width Extension - A structure having only one slope and depending upon another structure for partial support. Also referred to as a lean-to.

Wind Load - The load caused by the wind from any horizontal direction.