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

I-1
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

Joist Girder

Column

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Joist Basics

Horizontal Bridging

Diagonal Bridging

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I-7
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, LH-

and 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 Shortspans Longspans Joist Girders
Subs
K-Series LH-Series G-Series
KCS Joists DLH-Series BG-Series

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 ½ 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 I - 19
 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 ½ 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 ¾
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
Depth Span Capacity
Joist Series (in.) (ft.) (lbs/ft.)

K 8 - 30 8 - 60 Varies w/ Span

KCS 10 - 30 10 - 60 In terms of Moment

and Shear
Substitutes 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

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