C-Section

A member formed from steel sheet in the shape of a block “C”, that may be used either singularly or back to back.

Cab-Operated Crane

A crane controlled by an operator in a cab supported on the bridge or trolley.

Camber

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

Canopy

A projecting roof system that is supported and restrained at one end only.

Cantilever Beam

A beam supported only at one end having a free end and a fixed end.

Cap Plate

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

Capacity

The maximum load (usually stated in tons) which a crane is designed to support.

Capillary Action

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

Caulk

See “Sealant”.

Channel, Hot Rolled

A C-shaped member formed while in a semi-molten state at the steel mill to a shape having standard dimensions and properties.

Cladding

The exterior metal roof and wall paneling of a Metal Building System. See also “Components and Cladding”.

Clear Height under Structure

Vertical dimension from finished floor to lowest point of any part of primary or secondary structure, not including crane supports, located within clear span.

Clear Span

Distance between supports of beams, girders, or trusses (measured from lowest level of connecting area of a column and a rafter frame or knee).

Clip

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

Closure Strip

A resilient strip, formed to the contour of ribbed panels and used to close openings created by 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 permanent materials required by the contract, 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 main roof beams, trusses, or rafters to the foundation.

Component

A part used in a Metal Building System. See also “Components and Cladding”.

Components and Cladding

For wind load considerations, members that do not qualify as part of a Main Wind Force Resisting System. They include girts, joists, purlins, studs, wall and roof panels, fasteners, end wall columns and end wall rafters of bearing end frames, roof overhang beams, canopy beams, and masonry walls when acting as other than shear walls.

Concealed Clip

A hold down clip used with a wall or roof panel system to connect the panel to the supporting structure without exposing the fasteners on the exterior surface.

Connection

The means of attachment of one structural member to another.

Continuity

The terminology given to a structural system denoting the transfer of loads and stresses from member to member as if there were no connections.

Continuous Beam

A beam having three or more supports.

Contract Documents

The Documents that define the material and work to be provided by a Contractor or the General Contractor for a Construction Project.

Covering

See “Cladding.” 

Crane

A machine designed to move material by means of a hoist.

Crane Aisle

That portion of a building aisle in which a crane operates, defined by the crane span and the uninterrupted length of crane runway.

Crane Girder

The principal horizontal beams of the crane bridge which supports the trolley and is supported by the end tracks.

Crane Rail

A track supporting and guiding the wheels of a bridge crane or trolley system. On underhung cranes, the crane rail also acts as the runway beam.

Crane Runway Beam

The member that supports a crane rail and is supported by columns or rafters depending on the type of crane system. On underhung bridge cranes, the runway beam also acts as the crane rail.

Crane Span

The horizontal distance center-to-center of runway beams.

Crane Stop

A device to limit travel of a trolley or crane bridge. This device normally is attached to a fixed structure and normally does not have energy-absorbing ability.

Crane Support Column

A separate column which supports the runway beam of a top-running crane. 

Curb

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

Curtain Wall

Perimeter wall panels which carry only their own weight and wind load.