Bar Joist

A name commonly used for “Open Web Steel Joists”.

Base Angle

An angle secured to a wall or foundation used to attach the bottom of the wall paneling. 

Base Plate

A plate attached to the bottom of a column which rests on a foundation or other support, usually secured by anchor bolts.

Base Tube

A continuous member embedded in the edge of the foundation to which the wall panels are attached.

Bay

Dimension between the main frames measured normal to the frame (at centerline of frame) for interior bays, and dimension from centerline of first interior main frame measured normal to end wall (outside face of end wall girt) for end bays.

Beam

A member, usually horizontal, that is subjected to bending loads. There are three types, simple, continuous, and cantilever.

Beam and Column

A structural system consisting of a series of rafter beams supported by columns. Often used as the end frame of a building.

Bearing End Frame

See “Beam and Column”.

Bearing Plate

A steel plate that is set on the top of a masonry support on which a beam or purlin can rest.

Bent

See “Main Frame”.

BiII of Materials

A list that enumerates by part number or description each piece of material or assembly to be shipped. Also called tally sheet or shipping list.

Bird Screen

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

Blind Rivet

A small headed pin with expandable shank for joining light gauge metal. Typically used to attach flashing, gutter, etc.

Box Girder

Girders, trucks or other members of rectangular cross section enclosed on four sides.

Bracing

Rods, angles or cables used in the plane of the roof and walls to transfer loads, such as wind, seismic and crane thrusts to the foundation.

Bracket

A structural support projecting to a structural member. Examples are canopy brackets, leanto brackets, and crane runway brackets.

Bridge (Crane)

That part of an overhead crane consisting of girders, trucks, end ties, walkway and drive mechanism which carries the trolley and travels in a direction parallel to the runway.

Bridge Crane

A load lifting system consisting of a hoist which moves laterally on a beam, girder or bridge which in turn moves longitudinally on a runway made of beams and rails.

Bridging

Bracing or systems of bracing used between structural members.

British Thermal Unit (BTU)

That amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by 1 deg.F.

Builder

See “Dealer”.

Building

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

Building Aisle

A space defined by the length of the building and the space between building columns.

Building Code

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

Building Length

Dimension of the building measured perpendicular to main framing from end wall to end wall (outside face of girt to outside face of girt).

Building Width

Dimension of the building measured parallel to main framing from sidewall to sidewall (outside face of girt to outside face of girt)

Built-Up Roofing

A roof covering made up of alternating layers of tar and asphaltic materials.

Built-Up Section

A structural member, usually an I-shaped section, made from individual flat plates welded together.

Bumper

An energy-absorbing device for reducing impact when a moving crane or trolley reaches the end of its permitted travel; or when two moving cranes or trolleys come into contact.

Butt Plate

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

Bypass Girt

See “Exterior Framed”.