Articles on how steel framing is sized, named, priced and ordered. Every figure comes from the AISC Shapes Database v16.0, a published standard or a manufacturer specification sheet, and each article says when the numbers were checked.
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Corrugated Metal Panels: Profiles, Gauges, Coverage and Uses
Read the article: Corrugated Metal Panels: Profiles, Gauges, Coverage and UsesCorrugated metal explained: 7/8 in and 1/2 in profiles, gauges, coatings, roof vs wall coverage, slope and fastener tips, with manufacturer specs cited.
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Cantilever Beam: How It Works, Deck Overhang Rules and Limits
Read the article: Cantilever Beam: How It Works, Deck Overhang Rules and LimitsA cantilever beam is held at one end only. See how it carries load, why it bends far more than a simple beam, deck overhang rules and what an engineer…
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Glulam Beam Guide: Sizes, Grades, Camber and When to Use One
Read the article: Glulam Beam Guide: Sizes, Grades, Camber and When to Use OneA glulam beam is glued laminated timber. Learn the stock sizes, what 24F-V4 and TOP mean, appearance grades, camber, outdoor use, and how it compares to steel.
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When Was Steel Invented? A Nearly 4,000-Year Timeline From Anatolia to Minimills
Read the article: When Was Steel Invented? A Nearly 4,000-Year Timeline From Anatolia to MinimillsWhen was steel invented? From 1800 BCE fragments in Anatolia to Huntsman, Bessemer in 1856, oxygen converters and today’s minimills, with sourced dates.
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Metal Building Components: Every Part of a Steel Building Explained
Read the article: Metal Building Components: Every Part of a Steel Building ExplainedMetal building components explained: rigid frames, purlins, girts, eave struts, bracing, panels and anchor bolts, what each part does and how loads flow.
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Is Steel Magnetic? Which Steels Stick to a Magnet and Which Don’t
Read the article: Is Steel Magnetic? Which Steels Stick to a Magnet and Which Don’tIs steel magnetic? Most steel is, but some stainless and manganese grades are not. See why, which types stick to a magnet, and how heat and cold work matter.
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What Is a Rafter? Parts, Types, Spans and How It Differs From a Truss
Read the article: What Is a Rafter? Parts, Types, Spans and How It Differs From a TrussWhat is a rafter? The sloped roof member from ridge to wall. Learn rafter parts and cuts, types, ties vs ridge beams, how spans are read, and rafter vs truss.
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How to Cut Rebar: 6 Methods Compared, Step by Step and Safely
Read the article: How to Cut Rebar: 6 Methods Compared, Step by Step and SafelyHow to cut rebar with a grinder, rebar cutter, chop saw, recip saw or torch. Compare methods, follow a clean step-by-step cut, and cap ends to meet OSHA rules.
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Flux Core Welding: How It Works, Polarity, Wire Types and Technique
Read the article: Flux Core Welding: How It Works, Polarity, Wire Types and TechniqueFlux core welding explained: self-shielded vs gas-shielded wire, why DCEN polarity matters, reading E71T-11 labels, drag angle, stickout and use on structural steel.
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What Is Sheet Metal? Types, Gauges and Uses Explained
Read the article: What Is Sheet Metal? Types, Gauges and Uses ExplainedWhat sheet metal is, how it is made and measured, gauge thickness chart, main types with their ASTM specs, and where each is used in building and industry.
Reference information only, not engineering advice. Disclaimer.