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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Hot Rolled vs Cold Rolled Steel: Differences, Uses and Specs
Read the article: Hot Rolled vs Cold Rolled Steel: Differences, Uses and SpecsHot rolled vs cold rolled steel compared: how each is made, surface, tolerance, strength and cost, the ASTM specs behind them, and which to buy for your job.
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Structural Steel Erection: Step-by-Step Process and OSHA Rules
Read the article: Structural Steel Erection: Step-by-Step Process and OSHA RulesHow structural steel erection works, step by step: foundations, columns, beams, bracing and decking, with the OSHA Subpart R rules that apply at each stage.
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Expanded Metal Sizes: How to Read 3/4 #9 and What to Specify
Read the article: Expanded Metal Sizes: How to Read 3/4 #9 and What to SpecifyExpanded metal explained: SWD, LWD, strand width, standard vs flattened, weight ranges by material, and why the second number in the designation is not standardized.
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Intumescent Paint for Steel: How It Works and How Thick It Needs to Be
Read the article: Intumescent Paint for Steel: How It Works and How Thick It Needs to BeHow intumescent paint protects structural steel: the four-part chemistry, thin vs thick film, the W/D section factor that sets thickness, and why no generic chart exists.
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Steel Grating Sizes: How to Read 19-W-4 and What to Specify
Read the article: Steel Grating Sizes: How to Read 19-W-4 and What to SpecifySteel bar grating decoded: what 19-W-4 means, standard bearing bar sizes and spacings, the four construction types, traffic surfaces, and the NAAMM and OSHA standards.
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What Is Tensile Strength? Meaning, Steel Values and How It Is Tested
Read the article: What Is Tensile Strength? Meaning, Steel Values and How It Is TestedTensile strength is the peak stress steel takes before it breaks. See values for A36, A992 and A572, how it differs from yield, and how ASTM E8 tests it.
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Metal Stud Sizes Chart: How to Read 362S162-33
Read the article: Metal Stud Sizes Chart: How to Read 362S162-33Metal stud sizes decoded: web depth, style letter, flange width and mil thickness. Full mils to gauge conversion table, standard depths, and the 33 vs 50 ksi trap.
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Unistrut Sizes: P1000 Strut Channel Dimensions and Load Capacity
Read the article: Unistrut Sizes: P1000 Strut Channel Dimensions and Load CapacityUnistrut sizes explained: P1000 is 1-5/8 in square in 12 gauge. Full section properties, uniform load by span, the P1000 and P1001 part numbers, and what each finish suffix means.
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Bolt Torque Chart: Why Structural Bolts Are Not Torqued to a Number
Read the article: Bolt Torque Chart: Why Structural Bolts Are Not Torqued to a NumberA bolt torque chart is not valid for structural steel: the spec is tension in kips. Minimum pretension for A325 and A490, plus where torque does belong.
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Lally Columns Explained: Sizes, Capacity and When to Replace One
Read the article: Lally Columns Explained: Sizes, Capacity and When to Replace OneWhat a lally column is, how fixed columns differ from adjustable jack posts, what really governs capacity, and the signs a basement column needs replacing.
Reference information only, not engineering advice. Disclaimer.