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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Weld Symbols Explained: How to Read a Welding Symbol
Read the article: Weld Symbols Explained: How to Read a Welding SymbolHow to read a welding symbol: arrow side versus other side, fillet and groove shapes, size, length and pitch, the all-around circle and the field weld flag.
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Bolt Grades Explained: Grade 5, Grade 8 and Structural Bolts
Read the article: Bolt Grades Explained: Grade 5, Grade 8 and Structural BoltsBolt grade chart with head markings and strengths, why Grade 8 is not simply better, and how structural A325 and A490 bolts differ from hardware grades.
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Purlins Explained: C Purlin vs Z Purlin and What They Do
Read the article: Purlins Explained: C Purlin vs Z Purlin and What They DoA purlin carries the roof sheeting to the frames. C vs Z sections, why Z purlins get lapped, how the roof braces them, and cold-formed vs hot-rolled steel.
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Steel Decking Explained: Roof Deck, Form Deck and Composite Deck
Read the article: Steel Decking Explained: Roof Deck, Form Deck and Composite DeckSteel decking spans, forms the slab and acts as a diaphragm. Roof deck vs form deck vs composite deck, what B deck means, and why the gauge runs backwards.
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Ridge Beam vs Ridge Board: Which One Holds the Roof Up?
Read the article: Ridge Beam vs Ridge Board: Which One Holds the Roof Up?A ridge board spaces rafters; a ridge beam holds them up. How rafter thrust works, why ties matter, and what changes when the ceiling joists come out.
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Does Galvanized Steel Rust? What the Zinc Coating Actually Does
Read the article: Does Galvanized Steel Rust? What the Zinc Coating Actually DoesGalvanized steel does corrode, but the zinc coating goes first and far slower than bare steel. How barrier, sacrificial and patina protection actually work.
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Removing a Load-Bearing Wall: The Beam, the Permit and What Goes Wrong
Read the article: Removing a Load-Bearing Wall: The Beam, the Permit and What Goes WrongWhat has to happen before a load-bearing wall comes down: beam sizing, permits, temporary shoring, and the mistakes that turn a renovation into a repair.
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What Is a Flitch Beam? Steel Plate and Wood Combined
Read the article: What Is a Flitch Beam? Steel Plate and Wood CombinedA flitch beam is a steel plate bolted between wood plies. How the load actually splits, why the bolts matter, and how it compares with LVL and a W shape.
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Steel Lintels: Types, Sizes and Minimum Requirements
Read the article: Steel Lintels: Types, Sizes and Minimum RequirementsSteel lintel sizes for door and window openings from the IRC span table, minimum angle sizes, types, bearing, deflection and why galvanized lintels last.
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Girder vs Beam vs Joist: What Is the Difference?
Read the article: Girder vs Beam vs Joist: What Is the Difference?A girder carries beams, a beam carries joists, and a joist carries the deck. Here is how the three differ in steel and wood framing, with real AISC sizes.
Reference information only, not engineering advice. Disclaimer.