A – F

ARC
A curve of fixed radius connecting
two points. With a fixed radius,
every point along the curve is the
same distance from the origin of
the radius.

ARC LENGTH
The length of a curve from one
point to the other. :: DIAGRAM ::

BARREL VAULT
A simple (usually semicircular) arch repeated longitudinally to form a tunnel. Although a barrel vault can successfully roof a wide hall, the difficulty is then lighting that hall —–
the vault cannot safely be pierced by more than the smallest of windows.

CATIA MODEL
Software originally developed for
the aerospace industry and now
used by architects to display and
rotate a 3-D model and output the
data to CAD software. Radius Track fabricates track and studs using
the NC file from the CAD software.

CHANNEL SECTION (C-SECTION)
A structural steel section with a
cross section in the form of a “C,” consisting of a web, flange and lip.

CLIP ANGLE
An L-shaped short piece of metal (normally with a 90 degree bend).
It is typically used for connections.

COLD-FORMING
A process where light gauge
steel members are manufactured
by rolling or shaping the steel after
it is cold.

COMPLEX CURVE
A curve that changes from a
2-dimensional plane to a
3-dimensional plane. Harder
to visualize and describe on
drawings than a simple curve.

COMPOUND CURVE
A curve where almost all of
the elements are curved with
multiple planar events. 3D models
are best to visualize the final shape.

CORD HEIGHT
The distance between the top of the
arc and the diameter.

CORD LENGTH
The distance of the straight line between the beginning and the end
of the arc.

DIAMETER
The length of a straight line which passes through the center of a circle and terminates at the circumference.

FLANGE
The two identical thicker members
of a C-section or track separated
by and perpendicular to the web of
the section. :: DIAGRAM ::

FURRING
A hat section member that
supports the ceiling finishing
materials.

:: BACK TO TOP ::

G – P

GAUGE
A unit of measurement traditionally used to describe the nominal
thickness of steel. The lower the
gauge the greater the thickness.

GROIN VAULT
Where two barrel vaults intersect perpendicularly. A single arch
connects each pair of neighboring arches, and another larger arch connects each pair of diagonally opposite corners. Each of four triangular quadrants formed by
these two crossing arches is vaulted
in what is roughly a barrel vault.

JOIST
The primary horizontal member,
which transfers a floor or roof load
to beams, girders, and columns.

LEG IN
A curve that bends the "easy" way. Studs cannot be curved leg in.
:: DIAGRAM ::

LEG OUT
A curve that bends the "hard" way. Studs cannot be curved leg out.
:: DIAGRAM ::

LIGHT-GAUGE STEEL STUD
A cold formed steel stud made
of sheet metal of 22 gauge to 16
gauge in thickness.

MATERIAL THICKNESS
The base metal thickness
excluding any protective coatings. Thickness is expressed in mils
(1/1000 of an inch).

MIL
A unit of measurement typically
used in measuring the thickness
of thin elements. One mil equals
1/1000 of an inch.

OPEN WEB JOIST
A fabricated structural steel truss usually made of steel angle
sections and or bar members.

PUNCHOUT
A hole in the web of a steel framing member allowing for the installation
of plumbing, electrical, and other
trade installation.

:: BACK TO TOP ::

Q – Z

RADIUS
A straight line extending from
the center of a circle to its edge
or from the center of a sphere to
its surface. :: DIAGRAM ::

RED IRON
Structural steel coated with a red
oxide coating that resists rust
formation

SOFFIT
The underside of eaves and rakes (between the fascia board and the outside of the building). Soffits are usually vented to draw air into the
attic.

SPLINE
A smooth curve made by connecting
an array of points. Curve accuracy increases with the number of points
used.

STUD (PUNCHED)
A C-section, vertical framing
member used to construct walls
and partitions, that has a hole in
the web allowing for the installation
of plumbing, electrical, and other
trade installation. The stud supports vertical loads and/or transfers
lateral loads.

STUD (UNPUNCHED)
A C-section, vertical framing
member used to construct walls
and partitions. The stud supports vertical loads and/or transfers
lateral loads.

TRACK (SLIP/SLIT/FIRE)
A U-shaped member, used for applications such as top and
bottom track for walls, that has
slits in the web allowing for the installation of plumbing, electrical,
and other trade installation.

TRACK (STANDARD)
A U-shaped member used for applications such as top and
bottom track for walls and rim
track for floor joists. The track
has a web and flanges, but no lips. Track web depth measurements
are taken to the inside of the flanges.

STUD
Vertical structural element of a
wall assembly which supports
vertical loads and/or transfers
lateral loads.

WEB
The part of a C-section that connects the two flanges. :: DIAGRAM ::

YIELD STRENGTH
A characteristic of the basic
strength of the steel material. It
is the highest unit stress that the material can endure before
permanent deformation occurs.

:: BACK TO TOP ::