Steel Buildings - Glossary of Common Terms
N
Newton
SI unit of measure for force.
SI unit of measure for force.
O
Oil Canning
A waviness that may occur in flat areas of light gauge formed metal products. Oil canning has no effect on structural integrity of steel and is not a reason for material being rejected for use in a steel building system.
A waviness that may occur in flat areas of light gauge formed metal products. Oil canning has no effect on structural integrity of steel and is not a reason for material being rejected for use in a steel building system.
Open Web Steel Joists
Lightweight truss.
Lightweight truss.
Order Documents
Documents submitted to the steel building manufacturer when placing an order for a steel building system.
Documents submitted to the steel building manufacturer when placing an order for a steel building system.
Overhead Doors
Doors constructed in horizontally hinged sections and equipped with springs, tracks, counter balancers, and other hardware, which roll the sections into an overhead position clear of the opening.
Doors constructed in horizontally hinged sections and equipped with springs, tracks, counter balancers, and other hardware, which roll the sections into an overhead position clear of the opening.
P
Panel
The exterior metal roof and wall paneling of a Metal Building System. See also Covering.
The exterior metal roof and wall paneling of a Metal Building System. See also Covering.
Panel Notch
A notch or block out formed along the outside edge of the floor slab to provide support for the wall panels and serve as a closure along their bottom edge.
A notch or block out formed along the outside edge of the floor slab to provide support for the wall panels and serve as a closure along their bottom edge.
Pan Panel
A standing seam panel, which has vertical sides and has no space between the panels at the side laps.
A standing seam panel, which has vertical sides and has no space between the panels at the side laps.
Parapet
A portion of a vertical wall of a building that extends above the roofline.
A portion of a vertical wall of a building that extends above the roofline.
Peak
The highest point of a gable..
The highest point of a gable..
Peak Sign
A sign attached to the peak of the building at the endwall showing the building manufacturer.
A sign attached to the peak of the building at the endwall showing the building manufacturer.
Personnel Doors (Pedestrian Doors)
Doors used by personnel for access and exit from a building.
Doors used by personnel for access and exit from a building.
Piece Mark
A number given to each separate part of the building for erection identification. Also called mark number and part number.
A number given to each separate part of the building for erection identification. Also called mark number and part number.
Pier
A concrete used to transfer vertical load from the base of a column to the footing. Steel buildings without a concrete foundation often use piers to mount the columns to the ground.
A concrete used to transfer vertical load from the base of a column to the footing. Steel buildings without a concrete foundation often use piers to mount the columns to the ground.
Pig Spout
A sheet metal section designed to direct the flow of water out through the face of the gutter rather than through a downspout.
A sheet metal section designed to direct the flow of water out through the face of the gutter rather than through a downspout.
Pilaster
A reinforced or enlarged portion of a masonry wall to provide support for roof loads or lateral loads on the wall.
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.
A column base that is designed to resist horizontal and vertical movement, but not rotation.
Pin Connection
A connection designed to transfer axial and shear forces between connecting members, but not moments.
A connection designed to transfer axial and shear forces between connecting members, but not moments.
Pitch
The tangent of the angle that a roof surface makes with the horizontal, usually expressed in units of vertical rise to 12 units of horizontal run.
The tangent of the angle that a roof surface makes with the horizontal, usually expressed in units of vertical rise to 12 units of horizontal run.
Plastic Design
A design concept based on multiplying the actual loads by a suitable load factor, and using the yield stress as the maximum stress in any member, and taking into consideration moment redistribution.
A design concept based on multiplying the actual loads by a suitable load factor, and using the yield stress as the maximum stress in any member, and taking into consideration moment redistribution.
Plastic Panels - (Light Transmitting Panel)
Translucent panel used to admit light.
Translucent panel used to admit light.
Ponding
The gathering of water at low or irregular areas on a roof or accumulation of water from deflection due to rain loads.
The gathering of water at low or irregular areas on a roof or accumulation of water from deflection due to rain loads.
Pop Rivet (Blind Rivet)
A small headed pin with expandable shank for joining light gauge metal. Typically it is used to attach flashing, gutters, etc.
A small headed pin with expandable shank for joining light gauge metal. Typically it is used to attach flashing, gutters, etc.
Porosity
The measurement of openings in buildings, which allow air to enter during a period of high-wind.
The measurement of openings in buildings, which allow air to enter during a period of high-wind.
Portal Frame
A rigid frame designed to be rigid and stable in its plane. It is generally used to resist longitudinal loads where other bracing methods are not permitted.
A rigid frame designed to be rigid and stable in its plane. It is generally used to resist longitudinal loads where other bracing methods are not permitted.
Post
A secondary column at the end of a steel building used to support the girts.
A secondary column at the end of a steel building used to support the girts.
Post and Beam
A structural system consisting of a series of rafter beams supported by columns. Often used as the end frame of a building.
Post-Tensioning
A method of pre-stressing reinforced concrete in which tendons are tensioned after the concrete has reached a specific strength.
A method of pre-stressing reinforced concrete in which tendons are tensioned after the concrete has reached a specific strength.
Pre-Tensioning
A method of pre-stressing reinforced concrete in which the tendons are tensioned before the concrete has been placed.
A method of pre-stressing reinforced concrete in which the tendons are tensioned before the concrete has been placed.
Pre-Painted Coil
A coil of steel which has received a paint coating..
A coil of steel which has received a paint coating..
Press Brake
A machine used in cold-forming metal sheets or strips into desired sections.
A machine used in cold-forming metal sheets or strips into desired sections.
Pre-stressed Concrete
Concrete in which internal stresses of such magnitude and distribution are introduced that the tensile stresses resulting from the service loads are counteracted to a desired degree; in reinforced concrete the pre-stress is commonly introduced by tensioning the tendons.
Concrete in which internal stresses of such magnitude and distribution are introduced that the tensile stresses resulting from the service loads are counteracted to a desired degree; in reinforced concrete the pre-stress is commonly introduced by tensioning the tendons.
Primary Framing
A machine used in cold-forming metal sheets or strips into desired sections.
A machine used in cold-forming metal sheets or strips into desired sections.
Primer Paint
The initial coat of paint applied to steel building components in order to protect them prior to erection.
The initial coat of paint applied to steel building components in order to protect them prior to erection.
Purlin
A horizontal structural member that supports roof covering and carries loads to the primary framing members.
A horizontal structural member that supports roof covering and carries loads to the primary framing members.
Purlin Extension
The projection of the roof beyond the plane of the endwall of a steel building.
The projection of the roof beyond the plane of the endwall of a steel building.