Steel Buildings - Glossary of Common Terms
Kick-Out (Elbow)
An extension attached to the bottom of a downspout to direct water away from the wall of a steel building.
An extension attached to the bottom of a downspout to direct water away from the wall of a steel building.
Kip
A unit of measure equal to 1,000 pounds.
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.
The connecting area of a column and rafter of a structural frame such as a rigid frame.
Knee Brace
A diagonal member at a column and rafter intersection designed to resist horizontal loads.
A diagonal member at a column and rafter intersection designed to resist horizontal loads.
Lean-To
A structure having only one slope and is supported by leaning upon another structure.
A structure having only one slope and is supported by leaning upon another structure.
Length
The dimension of the steel building system measured perpendicular to the main framing from outside to outside of endwall girts.
The dimension of the steel building system measured perpendicular to the main framing from outside to outside of endwall girts.
Leveling Plate
A steel plate that is located on top of a foundation or other support on which a structural column can rest.
A steel plate that is located on top of a foundation or other support on which a structural column can rest.
Lifting Devices (Crane)
Buckets, magnets, grabs and other supplemental devices used for ease in handling certain types of loads.
Buckets, magnets, grabs and other supplemental devices used for ease in handling certain types of loads.
Light Transmitting Panel
A translucent panel used to admit light into a steel building.
A translucent panel used to admit light into a steel building.
Liner Panel
A metal panel attached to the inside flange of the girts or inside of a wall panel as an interior finish.
A metal panel attached to the inside flange of the girts or inside of a wall panel as an interior finish.
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. Also see Roof or Floor 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. Also see Roof or Floor Live Load.
Load Indicating Washers
A washer with dimples, which flatten when the high strength bolt is tightened. The bolt tension can then be determined by the amount of compression on the raised portions of the washer.
A washer with dimples, which flatten when the high strength bolt is tightened. The bolt tension can then be determined by the amount of compression on the raised portions of the washer.
Longitudinal
The direction parallel to the ridge or sidewall.
The direction parallel to the ridge or sidewall.
Loads
A force that is exerted on a structural member of a steel building system.
A force that is exerted on a structural member of a steel building system.
Louver
An opening provided with fixed or movable fins to allow flow of air.
An opening provided with fixed or movable fins to allow flow of air.
Low Rise Building
A class of buildings usually less than 60' eave height. A low rise building is usually a single story, but does
not exceed 4 stories.
A class of buildings usually less than 60' eave height. A low rise building is usually a single story, but does
not exceed 4 stories.
Main Frame
The collection of rafters and columns that support the secondary framing members and transfer loads to the foundation.
The collection of rafters and columns that support the secondary framing members and transfer loads to the foundation.
Manufacturer
The party who designs and fabricates a steel building system.
The party who designs and fabricates a steel building system.
Manufacturer's Engineer
An engineer that works directly for the manufacturer and is responsible for the structural design of a steel building system. The manufacturer's engineer is not the Engineer of Record.
An engineer that works directly for the manufacturer and is responsible for the structural design of a steel building system. The manufacturer's engineer is not the Engineer of Record.
Masonry
Anything that is constructed of materials such as bricks, concrete blocks, ceramic blocks, and concrete.
Anything that is constructed of materials such as bricks, concrete blocks, ceramic blocks, and concrete.
Mastic
Sealant or caulking that is used to seal roof panel laps.
Sealant or caulking that is used to seal roof panel laps.
Metal Building System
A complete integrated set of mutually dependent components and assemblies that form a building including primary and secondary framing, covering and accessories.
A complete integrated set of mutually dependent components and assemblies that form a building including primary and secondary framing, covering and accessories.
Mezzanine
An intermediate level between floor and ceiling occupying a partial area of the floor space.
An intermediate level between floor and ceiling occupying a partial area of the floor space.
Moment
The tendency of a force to cause rotation about a point or axis.
The tendency of a force to cause rotation about a point or axis.
Moment Connection
A connection designed to transfer moment as well as axial and shear forces between connecting members.
A connection designed to transfer moment as well as axial and shear forces between connecting members.
Moment of Inertia
A physical property of a member, which helps define strength and deflection characteristics.
A physical property of a member, which helps define strength and deflection characteristics.
Monolithic Construction
A method of placing concrete grade beam and floor slab together to form the building foundation without forming and placing each separately.
A method of placing concrete grade beam and floor slab together to form the building foundation without forming and placing each separately.
Monorail
A single rail support for a material handling system or crane.
A single rail support for a material handling system or crane.
Multi-Gable Building
Steel buildings that have more than one gable across the width of the building.
Steel buildings that have more than one gable across the width of the building.
Multi-Span Building
Steel buildings consisting of more than one span across the width of the building. Multiple gable buildings and single gable buildings with interior columns are examples.
Steel buildings consisting of more than one span across the width of the building. Multiple gable buildings and single gable buildings with interior columns are examples.