Architectural/Structural Steel Drawings, Continued
Shapes
BEARING PILES: Bearing piles are the same as wide-flange H-beams, but
(Continued)
are much heavier per linear foot.
ZEE: These shapes are noted by depth, flange width, and weight per linear
foot.
PLATES: Plates are noted by width, thickness, and length.
FLATBAR: Flat bars are similar to plates with edges rolled square. The
dimensions are given for width and thickness.
TIE ROD AND PIPE COLUMN: Tie rods and pipe columns are designated
by their outside diameters.
Members
The main parts of a structure are the load-bearing structural members that
support and transfer loads on the structure while remaining in equilibrium
with each other. The places where members connect are called joints. The
total load supported by the structural members at a particular instant is equal
to the total dead load plus the total live load. The ability of the earth to
support a load is called the soil-bearing capacity.
TOTAL DEAD LOAD: The total dead load is the total weight of the
structure, which gradually increases as the structure rises and remains
constant after the construction is completed.
TOTAL LIVE LOAD: The total live load is the total weight of moveable
objects, such as people, furniture, and traffic that the structure supports at
any particular time.
Continued on next page
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