Steel Buildings - Glossary of Common Terms
T
Tapered Members
A built up plate member consisting of flanges welded to a variable depth web.
A built up plate member consisting of flanges welded to a variable depth web.
Temperature Reinforcing
Steel rods or wire mesh placed in concrete to help prevent cracks from thermal expansion or contraction.
Steel rods or wire mesh placed in concrete to help prevent cracks from thermal expansion or contraction.
Tensile Strength
The longitudinal pulling stress a material can bear without tearing apart.
The longitudinal pulling stress a material can bear without tearing apart.
Thermal Block
A spacer of low thermal conductance material that is installed between the purlin and roof insulation in a steel building, to prevent energy loss.
A spacer of low thermal conductance material that is installed between the purlin and roof insulation in a steel building, to prevent energy loss.
Thermal Conductance (C-Factor)
The time rate of heat flow through unit area of a body induced by unit temperature difference between the body surfaces.
The time rate of heat flow through unit area of a body induced by unit temperature difference between the body surfaces.
Thermal Conductivity (K-Factor)
The time rate of heat flow through unit thickness of a flat slab of a homogenous material in the perpendicular direction to the slab surfaces induced by unit temperature gradient.
The time rate of heat flow through unit thickness of a flat slab of a homogenous material in the perpendicular direction to the slab surfaces induced by unit temperature gradient.
Thermal Resistance (R-Value)
Under steady conditions, the mean temperature difference between two defined surfaces of material or construction that induces unit heat flow through unit area.
Under steady conditions, the mean temperature difference between two defined surfaces of material or construction that induces unit heat flow through unit area.
Thermal Transmittance (U-Factor)
The time rate of heat flow per unit is under steady conditions from the fluid on the warm side of a barrier to the fluid on the cold side, per unit temperature difference between the two fluids.
The time rate of heat flow per unit is under steady conditions from the fluid on the warm side of a barrier to the fluid on the cold side, per unit temperature difference between the two fluids.
Thrust
The horizontal component of a reaction usually at the column base of a steel building system.
The horizontal component of a reaction usually at the column base of a steel building system.
Tie
A structural member that is loaded in tension.
A structural member that is loaded in tension.
Track
A metal way for wheeled components.
A metal way for wheeled components.
Translucent Panels
Panel used to admit natural light into a steel building.
Panel used to admit natural light into a steel building.
Block or Board Thermal Insulation
Rigid or semi-rigid thermal insulation that is preformed into rectangular units.
Rigid or semi-rigid thermal insulation that is preformed into rectangular units.
Transverse
The direction parallel to the main frames of a steel building system.
The direction parallel to the main frames of a steel building system.
Tributary Area
The area directly supported by the structural member between contiguous supports.
The area directly supported by the structural member between contiguous supports.
Trim
Light gauge metal, also referred to as flashing, used in the finish of a steel building.
Light gauge metal, also referred to as flashing, used in the finish of a steel building.
Truss
A structure consisting of three or more members, with each member designed to carry a tension or compression force. The entire structure in turn acts as a beam.
A structure consisting of three or more members, with each member designed to carry a tension or compression force. The entire structure in turn acts as a beam.
Turn-of-the-Nut Method
A method for pre-tensioning high strength bolts.
A method for pre-tensioning high strength bolts.
Valley Gutter
A heavy gauge gutter used for multi-gabled steel buildings or between buildings.
A heavy gauge gutter used for multi-gabled steel buildings or between buildings.
Vapor Barrier
Material used to retard the flow of vapor or moisture to prevent condensation from forming on a surface.
Material used to retard the flow of vapor or moisture to prevent condensation from forming on a surface.
Ventilator
An accessory mounted on the roof which allows the air to pass through.
An accessory mounted on the roof which allows the air to 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 material, used in the lower portion of a wall, that is different from the material in the rest of the wall.
Walk Door
Doors used by personnel for access and exit from a building.
Doors used by personnel for access and exit from a building.
Wall Covering
The steel building's exterior wall surface consisting of panels.
The steel building's exterior wall surface consisting of panels.
Web
That portion of a structural member between the flanges.
That portion of a structural member between the flanges.
Width (Steel Building)
The dimension of the building measured parallel to the main framing from outside to outside of sidewall girts.
The dimension of the building measured parallel to the main framing from outside to outside of sidewall girts.
Wind Column
A vertical member designed to withstand horizontal wind loads, usually in the endwall.
A vertical member designed to withstand horizontal wind loads, usually in the endwall.
Wind Load
The load caused by the wind blowing from any horizontal direction.
The load caused by the wind blowing from any horizontal direction.