flange

A broad ridge or pair of ridges projecting at a right

angle from the edge of a structural shape in order
to strengthen or stiffen it.

web
An integral part of a beam that forms a flat, rigid
connection between two broader, parallel parts,
such as the flanges of a structural shape.

cover plate
A plate fastened to the flanges of a plate girder
to increase its section modulus in areas subject
to high bending stresses.

flange angle
One of the angles forming the top or bottom
flange of a plate girder.

web plate
A steel plate forming the web of a plate girder.

shear plate
A plate fastened to the web of a plate girder to
increase its resistance to shearing stresses.

stiffener angle
One of a pair of vertical angles
fastened to each side of a web plate
to stiffen it against buckling.

I-beam

A rolled or extruded metal beam having a cross

section resembling the capital letter I.

bearing stiffener
A stiffener angle for the web of a plate girder,
placed at a point of support or under a
concentrated load.

intermediate stiffener
A stiffener angle for the web of a plate girder,
placed between bearing stiffeners for increased
resistance to diagonal compressive stresses.

structural steel
Steel that is hot-rolled or cold-formed in a
variety of standard shapes and fabricated for
use as load-bearing members or elements.

steel beam
A beam consisting of a single or built-up
structural steel section.

open-web steel joist

A lightweight, fabricated steel joist having
an open web. A K-series joist has a web
consisting of a single bent, bar, running in a
zigzag pattern between the upper and lower
chords. LH- and DLH-Series joists have
heavier web and chord members for increased
loads and spans. Also called bar joist.

s
joist girder
A trussed girder for supporting open-web

steel joists.

plate girder
A steel girder built up from plates or shapes
that are welded or riveted together.

box girder
A steel beam built up from shapes and having
a hollow, rectangular cross section.

castellated beam
A steel beam fabricated by dividing the web
of a wide-flange section with a lengthwise
zigzag cut, then welding both halves together
at the peaks, thus increasing its depth
without increasing its weight.