CE479: An Introduction to the Design

of Steel Joists and Joist Girders

Part I
Fall 2012 J. Liu

Based on slides from:

Perry S. Green, Ph.D.,
Technical Director, SJI
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Steel Joists and Joist Girders

Introduction
Specifications
Manufacturing
More on Steel Joists and Joist Girders

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Top Chord
Seat

Web Members
Bottom Chord

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Joist Basics

Column

Joist Girder

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Joist Basics
Horizontal Bridging

Diagonal Bridging

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Steel Joist Institute

Background and Development
The Steel Joist Institute was founded in 1928
and produced its first Catalog and
Specifications in 1932.
The 2005 Catalog is the 42nd Edition, the
previous being published in 2002.
The K-Series, LH- and DLH-Series and Joist
Girder Specifications are ANSI accredited and
are part of the 2006 International Building
Code Section 2206.
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2005 SJI Unified Specifications

Unified specifications for the K-Series, LHand DLH-Series and Joist Girders similar to
AISC and AISI allowing an ASD or LRFD
approach to joist design have been
developed.

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Joist Manufacturing
Joist Web Types (not all inclusive)

Rod (Round Bar) Web Members

Crimped Angle Web Members
Double Angle Web Members

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Crimped
Angle

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Crimped
Angle

Double
Angle
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Joist Manufacturing
Joist Specification Types
Rod Web

Double Web Members

Crimped Web

Joist
Subs

Shortspans

Longspans

Joist Girders

K-Series

LH-Series

G-Series

DLH-Series

BG-Series

KCS Joists

VG-Series
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Joist Manufacturing
Rod (Round Bar) Web Members
Usually Warren Web Configuration

K-Series, KCS Joists

Typically, all designations 8 in. to 24 in. deep
(may vary by manufacturer)
2 in. to 5 in. deep seats OK for K-Series
Finish Welding

Bundle of 3 joists in Pit

Multiple joist manufacturing
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Joist Manufacturing

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Joist Manufacturing

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Joist Manufacturing
Crimped Angle Web Members
Usually Modified Warren Web Configuration

K-Series, KCS Joists, Light LH-Series

Typically, LH-Series from 18 in. to 32 in. or 36 in. deep
(may vary by manufacturer)
Finish Welding
Bundle of 3 joists in Pit

Multiple joist manufacturing

(Similar process to Rod Web Manufacturing)
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Joist Manufacturing
Double Angle Web Members
Usually Modified Warren Web Configuration

Heavy LH-Series, DLH-Series, Joist Girders,

and Special Profile Joists including Barrel or
Arched, Bowstrings, Gables, etc.

Single Joist Manufacturing

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http://www.njb-united.com/ncj/jpdfs/j1617.pdf

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Joist Painting

Provisional Coating: Dip applied and air dried

Meant to minimize rust, not prevent rust

Should not be considered a Finish Coat

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Available Steel Joist Choices

Joists Directly Supporting Roof or Floor
Loads:

Open-Web Steel Joists, K-Series

KCS Joists
Joist Substitutes
Long-Span Steel Joists, LH-Series
Deep Long-Span Steel Joists, DLH-Series

Primary Members

Joist Girders Supporting Other Joists

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K-Series Joists

Designations: 8K1 to 30K12

Depths: 8 to 30 in.
Standard Seat Depth (Height): 2.5 in.
Span Range: 8 to 60 ft.
ASD Load Range: 127 to 550 plf
LRFD Load Range: 190 to 825 plf
Maximum Span/Depth Ratio: 24

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KCS Joists

Designations: 10KCS1 to 30KCS5

Depths: 10 to 30 in.
Seat Depth (Height): 2.5 in.
Span Range: 10 to 60 ft.
Constant Moment Capacity
Constant Shear Capacity
Maximum Span/Depth: 24

Diagonals designed for stress

reversal, except end diagonal which
is designed for 100% tension only
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KCS Joists

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Joist Substitutes
Joist substitutes are 2.5 inch deep
sections intended for use in very short
spans (less than 8 feet) where Open Web
Steel Joists are impractical.
Typical 2 in. deep Joist Substitutes
Hot-Rolled
Cold-Formed

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LH-, DLH-Series Joists

Designations: 18LH02 to 72DLH19

Depths: 18 to 72 in.
Standard Seat Depth (Height): 5 in. up to #17
chords, 7.5 in. for #18 and #19 chords/section
numbers
Span Range: 21 to 96 ft.; 61 to 144 ft.
ASD Load Range: 174 to 1068 plf; 208 to 706 plf
LRFD Load Range: 261 to 1602 plf; 312 to 1059 plf
Maximum Span/Depth Ratio: 24
Types: Parallel Chord, Single Pitch, Double Pitch;
Underslung or Bottom Chord Bearing
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http://www.canadianjoist.com/joistproducts.html
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http://www.njb-united.com/ncj/jpdfs/j1617.pdf
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Joist Girders
Joist Girder Weight Tables
Maximum chord angle size is 6 x 6 x
Applicable to all joist manufacturers
Some joist manufacturers will be able to go
up to a 8 x 8 chord angle, but that will be a
non-standard SJI product

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Joist Girders
Joist Girder Weight Tables
The weight table can not cover every
combination of span, panel spacing and kip
loading
A Joist Girder can be made to fit within any
of the gaps in the weight table
The weight table is provided as a design
aid for the structural engineer to help
provide an approximate value for the Joist
Girder self weight
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Joist Girders

Depths: 16 to 120 in.

Standard Seat Depth (Height): 7.5 in.
Spans: 20 to 120 ft.
ASD Panel Point Loads: 4 to 100 kips
LRFD Panel Point Loads: 6 to 150 kips
Weights: 16 to 332 plf
Various Web Configurations: G, VG, BG
Designation: 48G8N9K; 48G8N13.5F
48G is the Depth in inches
8N is the Number of Joist Spaces
9K is the unfactored load at each panel point
13.5K is the factored load at each panel point
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Joist Girders

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Joist Girders

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SJI Load Tables

Joist Series

Depth
(in.)

Span
(ft.)

Capacity
(lbs/ft.)

8 - 30

8 - 60

Varies w/ Span

KCS

10 - 30

10 - 60

In terms of Moment
and Shear

2.5

4-8

Varies w/ Span

LH

18 - 48

21 - 80

Varies w/ Span

DLH

52 - 72

61 - 120

Varies w/ Span

SLH

80 - 120

80 - 190

Varies w/ Span

Substitutes

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