STRUCTURAL STEEL EDUCATIONAL COUNCIL

TECHNICAL INFORMATION & PRODUCT SERVICE

JANUARY1992'

STEEL DECK CONSTRUCTION

Resum• of Frequently Asked Questions on Formed Steel Floor and Roof Decks
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GENERAL "nominal" thickness of 20 gauge is 0359" and 16 gauge

is 0598" Steel deck producers can vary from these
What are typical steel specifications for steel
nominal thicknesses when developing their safe load
decks?
tables based on the AISI allowable minimum decimal
The two most important parts of the steel spectflcatlon thickness of 0 95 times the thickness used in the design
are the stress level and the flmsh of the deck of the member
ASTM A-446 covers zinc coated (galvanized) cold-rolled
steel sheets in slx strength levels which designate mini- What is the typical design stress for steel decks?
mum yield points Those commonly used for steel deck The design stress permitted by budding code junsdlc-
are Grade A (33,000 ps0, Grade B (37,000 ps0, Grade tJons is 0 6 Fy (Fy = minimum yield strength)
C (40,000 ps0 or Grade E (80,000 psi). The weight of the
galvanized coating is designated by ASTM A-525.
How are vertical load section properties of steel
The grades of galvamzed coating generally used for
decks determined?
steel deck are G-01 (wipe coat), G-60 (hght commercial)
or G-90 (commercial) There are alloyed coatings avail- Manufacturers calculate section modulus and moment of
able if the galvamzed surface is to receive a field coat of inertia values in accordance with the Spec/f/cat/on for the
Design of Cold Formed Steel Structural Members pub-
paint
lished by the Amencan Iron & Steel Institute
ASTM A-611 covers cold-rolled uncoated structural
steel sheets W•thm th•s speclhcat•on are five strength
levels which designate minimum yield points Those What depths of steel decks are available?
commonly used for steel deck are Grade C (33,000 psi), Decking depths range from 1-1/2" to 7-1/2" However,
Grade D (40,000 ps0 or Grade E (80,000 ps0 The cold- economic aspects dictate that 1-1/2" and 3" deep decks
rolled steel Is cleaned, washed and given a shop coat of are normally used. The deep decks are only used when
pnmer paint on both surfaces before fabncahon If, very long spans cannot be avoided Corrugated steel
however, concrete asto be poured over it, as for compos- decks are available m depths of 3/8" to 1-5/16" in 28
ite floor deck, paint is apphed only to the exposed surface gauge through 20 gauge
away from the concrete
ROOF DECK
What are "gauges"? Framing
Gauge Js a convenient method to Identify a decimal
thickness of steel Roof decks or floor decks range from What are considerations for steel deck on warped
22 (light) through 16 (heavy) gauge, with lighter or surfaces?
heavier gauges rarely being used As an example, the Steel deck units readdy accept the small out of plane
*This TIPS Issue/s an update of a pubbcat/on Issued •n January 1986
 diaphragm continuity and support for insulation and
Figure I roofing membranes. The designer should be certain to
provide structural support either at or close to ridge and
Metal Cover Plate valley lines.
Screw Or Tack
Weld To Deck Units Should the structural member's supporting flange
surface be flat to the deck surface?
, I It is not necessary for full surface bearing on the support-
I I
ing flange provided any wedge-shaped gap is small.
I I Since the majority of steel deck is installed by welding,
I [
a gap less than 1/4" can be filled with weld metal to
I I
provide a satisfactory installation. If there are heavy
applied loads or if the deck units are fastened by screws,
I f
the usual practice is to use a 14 gauge strip bent to an
Square Cut Ends L-shaped profile and welded to the supporting beam.
'T---- The slope of the strip after installation should provide a
I
..J Support Beam bearing surface for the deck unit. The designer is
cautioned that decking support members at a hip or
ridge condition should be reviewed to provide a smooth
transition and continuity at the supporting system for the
adjoining decking sheets.
warping required to achieve roof drainage. When highly
differential warped surfaces are required, the lighter What kind of closures are available to close gaps
b e t w e e n supports and deck units?
gauge single sheet units are more adaptable than the
double plated sections. The designer should investigate Three types of closures are available: close cell neo-
the alignment of supports to be certain of the deck's prene rubber, sheet metal and a combination metal and
ability to conform to differential elevations for multiple neoprene. Neoprene closures are oversize to fit either
spans, otherwise the deck should be single span. rib openings (top side) or void (underside) openings.
Glue or friction fit ensures tight closing of the opening to
What's the proper way to frame a wedge-shaped stop light, heat and wind penetration. Notched sheet
bay? metal closures are loose fitting and are used to stop
It is usually desirable to let the deck ribs run as a tangent sight view (as behind flashing) and as bird or large insect
of thearc as this entails a minimum of-cutting--and,
consequently, reduces waste and cost. When the Figure 2 Continuous Sheet Metal
flanges of the radial beams are wide enough to support ____ Closure and Fire Stop Support
the deck panels without bevel cutting, the panels are
installed as a "stair-step" condition. The stair-step gaps
are closed (capped) over with a flat plate on the top of the
decking surface to support insulation. See Fig. 1. .(, J
/I III I Closure
Should decking units be continuous over a ridge or
valley?
Steel roof deck units have little bending resistance
(dependent upon gauge) normal to the ribs, but great PerpendicularoT° ] I
strength in the direction of the ribs. For changes in pitch
parallel to the ribs, the deck units can be stepped down
to conform to the change in pitch. When the sheets are
required to span over a ridge or valley, the ability of the
unit to conform is dependent upon its moment of inertia. fL_/
Gradual changes in pitch can usually be accommo-
dated using a man's weight to step it flat to the support.
For abrupt changes, however, the sheet should be
discontinued at the ridge or valley and a 20 gauge or 18
gauge flat cap sheet bent to the angle of the pitch
fastened to the deck sheets. Its purpose is to provide
2 Steel Tips January 1992
1 Parallel To Deck Condition
stoppers For very large void or nb openings and under
severe pressure condlhons, combination metal/neo-
prene rubber closures are recommended
Should I use closures m steel roof deck construc-
tion?
Use closures whenever an exposed deck overhangs an
exterior wall with no soffit cover on the exterior, when
sound control •s necessary for interior partitions reach-
mg the deck units, and over exterior exposed supports
to prevent bird roosting and to present a more finished
appearance
Are there special considerations for cantilevered
roof deck units?
Usual engmeenng calculations are sufficient The de-
signer should be certain to show a heavy gauge angle
or cap channel welded to the outboard end of a cantile-
ver to tie adlacent deck sheets together for unity and
support architectural facsas, dnp flashing, or gutters
Can steel deck panels be used as draft curtains?
Yes, steel deck panels are often used to parht•on large
areas for fire safety, building code and insurance rating
reasons They can be installed vertically on the face of
a truss or with a suspended vertical frame An important
detail to incorporate into the design is the flashing at the
top to inexpensively separate and seal off adjacent
areas Corrugated decks 1/2" to 1-5/16' deep are often
used as draft curtains See Fig 2 (bottom of page 2)
Openings
How large a hole may be cut in steel roof deck
without supplementary framing?
Any hole which does not intersect a vertical web of the
deck may be cut. When holes intersect a decking
vertical web, some general rules will assmt the designer
to make a decision, i e
I With 6" or 8" spaced nbs, one web may be cut
2 With 12" or greater spaced ribs, avoid any web
removal
3 The number of holes within any span of the deck
units should be limited to avoid cutting adjacent ribs
within the span
4 Holes In the high moment areas of the deck units
may be more restrictive than those located in the
shear area
What kind of reinforcing is suggested for medium-
sized opening?
It Is preferred to use steel reinforcement angles, tubes,
or plates which are applied from the top side It is
customary to install reinforcement prior to cutting the
hole The reinforcing members should run at right
angles to the direction of the deck and be approximately
three times the width of opening Designers are cau-
honed to place the narrow dimension of the opening
normal to the deck ribs to minimize the structural impact
to the deck. In all cases, the ablhty of the deck units
adjacent to the hole to carry transferred loading should
be evaluated.
When are frames for holes required to be part of the
structural frame system?
If an opening exceeds the width of the deck sheet or over
24 inches (for long span 12" cover width sheets),
supplementary framing should be attached to the struc-
tural framing by struts or beams to create a framed
opening Such openings are usually shown and dimen-
sioned on the structural drawings.
Who pays for openings?
Other than holes shown and dimensioned on the struc-
tural drawings, the trade requinng the penetration is
responsible for approval, reinforcement and cutting If
the steel deck installer is still on the job, he can do the
work on a mutually negohated fee basis
Diaphragms & Connections
How strong are steel deck diaphragms?
Steel roof decks have a wide range of design values as
diaphragmsto resist honzontal loads Because of Code
approvals, varying profiles, different fastener types and
spacing, individual producers of steel roof decks should
be contacted for recommendations
Do lightweight concrete fills have diaphragm val-
ues?
Yes, the designer may secure the vanous code and
design values for this type of construction by contacting
the steel deck manufacturer or the producers of hght-
weight concrete
When are welding washers used?
For corrugated decks hghter than 22 gauge, 14 gauge
weld washers are used when plug welding deck to the
support
Is it necessary to touch up the welds on steel deck
units?
Touch up by the deck erector is limited to top side of the
units only. However, if the deck is covered by concrete
fill, touch up of welds is not necessary as the concrete
offers adequate protection against corrosion Scorch
marks caused by welding attachments on the underside
of supports or deck un•ts should be touched up and
Steel Tips January 1992 3
painted by the painting subcontractor as part of this
work Assignment of thru work by proper notation tn the
project speclhcat•ons •s important
How are welds protected?
The top side of the weld is painted w•th a rust inhibitive
paint Weld cleaning and etching Is not required For
galvamzed surfaces, a zmc-rmh paint may be specified.
Flux-type zinc repair compounds cannot be success-
fully apphed to metal decks due to rapid dlsslpahon of
heat required for application
Roofing and Insulation
Do steel roof decks always require a built-up roof?
No, and by followmg a few general rules, many deck
profiles may be used exposed (without roofing)
1 Roof slopes at least 1" to 12"
2 Fasten with gasketed screws at supports and shtch
the side joints with screws
3 Overlap end iomts a minimum of 6"
4 Use a full bed of caulking at s•de and end joints
5 Install deck units in a posihon to minimize
of side joint, i e, install deck with the side lap on the
top, not on the bottom of the flute
What is the correct thickness of insulation over
steel roof deck?
Aside from thermal requirements, the minimum thick-
ness is based on the width of the nb opening related to
the density of the msulabon and Its shear capacity to
bndge the openmg In general, a rule of thumb is 1" thick
for 0 to 1" openings, 1-1/2" for 2-1/2" openings Because
the quahty of the waterproohng membrane •s dependent
upon proper support, roofing product manufacturers
should be consulted for their specffmatlons
Can lightweight concrete insulating fills be used
over steel roof deck?
Yes, but some confusion results from "hghtwe•ght" ter-
minology It Is necessary to differenhate between light-
weight insulating concrete hll which ts approximately 30
pcf density and hghtweight structural grade concrete of
100 pcf or greater density Either type can be used
What are insulation mechanical fasteners?
Rigid insulabon is usually mechanically fastened to
steel deck by insulation chps There are many varieties
and methods of fastening these chps whmh penetrate
the steel deck They are used to wmthstand wind uphft
and Factory Mutual regulations These fasteners are
supphed and installed by the roohng contractor
4 Steel T/ps January 1992
What is the purpose of a vapor barrier?
It prevents the absorption of moisture into insulation
materials When moisture Is absorbed, the thermal U
factor of the msulabon is adversely affected
What are effective vapor barriers?
Steel decks with caulked side seams are somehmes
used as a vapor barrier Other types of vapor barriers
are asphalt impregnated paper or mcombusbble plasbc
films above the deck units Mechamcal msulahon chps,
if specified, should be consistent with the type of vapor
barrier suggested
Where are vapor barriers used most often?
Usually m cold chmates and on those facilities whose
occupancy tends to generate moisture and humidity,
such as swimming pools or laundnes, etc
Drainage
What is an adequate roof pitch for drainage?
For steel decking roofs, many designers prefer a minm-
mum slope of 1/8" per foot when built up roof mem-
branes are used For exposed steel roofs, 1" per foot is
a usual minimum with 2" per foot preferred
What is an easy way to get roof pitch?
Shortening alternate columns •s a good method on large
roofs to create sump areas, which can be connected to
the storm dram system
What are sump pans?
Standard sump pans are 14 gauge steel, approximately
30" square, and of three general types flat, recessed flat
or recessed sloped Sump pans are flat or recessed flat
for Iow pitch roof surfaces and recessed sloped for
steeper pitch roofs Recessed pans prowde larger
drainage basins than do flat pans See Fig. 3 Sump
pans are not used when concrete fill Is placed over the
steel deck m roof construchon
Who supplies the sump pans?
Sump pans are supphed and welded to the deck units by
the roof deck subcontractor The hole for the drain is cut
in the plate by the plumbing contractor who also installs
the roof drain and connechons to the drainage system
What is the proper treatment of parapet conditions?
The designer can show either standard cant strips
(minimum 20 gauge steel) or tapered steel cants which
vary the daagonal dimension to create a swale leading to
a sump area For very wide tapered cant conditions, a
sloping shelf angle is used at the parapet and steel
decking of varying lengths is used to create a swale
 Figure 3

F eld Cut

I I ----%--- /
\ i I I /
Flat Sump Plate
Recessed Sump Pan -- Flat Recessed Sump Pan -- P•tched

Figure 4 Wide Tapered Cant

Slol•ng
Support
Angle
I / •
Pos,bo
Low
Posrhon

Tapered Cant

spanning from the shelf angle to the metal decking
already in place It is good pracbce to place scuppers
through the parapet to reheve abnormal water heights
See Fig 4
F L O O R DECK
General
What are the general types of floor deck panels?
Steel floor deck panels fall into two general categones
cellular and non-cellular Cellular panels are produced
by spot welding a nbbed panel to a flat panel to create
a void whtch ns usable as a raceway for in-floor power,
hghtmg, electrJcal and communJcatJon dJstrJbutJon Non-
cellular panels are simply fluted (ribbed) panels
Is concrete always used over floor deck?
Concrete is usually used over steel floor deck In this
capacJty, Jt fumJshes a smooth surface covering the
ribbed deck and the accessones It acts as part or all of
the steel panel hreproohng and can be destgned to work
compositely to increase structural capacity without an
increase tn steel wetght There are structural uses of
floor panels such as servtce catwalks, package convey-
ors, shelving or temporary floormg where concrete ns not
ordinanly used
Is concrete over the steel deck units required to be
structural grade?
Only tf compostte achon between the deck umts and the
concrete hll is required to provtde the design require-
ments
Some temperature control mesh is required and the
usual value Js 00083 times the area of concrete above
the steel deck.
What causes concrete surface cracking?
Concrete slabs that are poured on imperwous surfaces
such as steel deck or Vtsqueen can cause the top
surface to dry relatively quickly whde the lower portion of
the slab remaJns wet The water bleeds to the top
Steel T/ps January 1992 5
surface and evaporates, causing cracks to open above
the top surface of the rebars or mesh, whmh then
propagate to the surface. Troweling closes the cracks
only at the surface and they tend to reopen m a matter
of days.
How can surface cracking be prevented?
A good way to reduce slab cracking Is to have a light fog
water spray applied to the slab during the finishing
operations. The concrete will have a sheen while it is
wet. When this sheen starts to disappear, the fog spray
should be applied to maintain the sheen Care should be
taken not to get excess water on the slab Venting of the
deck may help to reduce cracking in the concrete.
How should the concrete be cured?
There are several ways of curing the concrete Products
that are sprayed on have e•ther a wax or a resin base.
E•ther one may impair the application of a sealant or
hardener later It is recommended that the surface be
covered with craft paper, Visqueen or polyethylene
Framing
Is it necessary t o put in additional support at
columns or other areas of deck interruptions?
Steel deck support angles are used If the nbs of the
deck units are left unsupported at the columns. See
Fig. 5. The project specifications should call for the
support angles to be supplied by the structural steel
suppher. They can be installed by the metal deck
erector. Voads mnthe metal deck units may need to be
closed w•th sheet metal or other closures to prevent
concrete leakage.
Are cover plates or splice plates on structural steel
members a problem?
Any projection above the steel support sunace can
impose a hardship on the steel deck erector. If the top
flange of the steel beam supporting the deck is not
level, Jt may be difficult to achieve adequate bearing for
the steel deck units.

Are additives to the concrete fill recommended?
No Corrosive salts should not be allowed as they can
react adversely with the steel deck units, especially with
galvanized decking
Are concrete closures necessary?
The designer should show a concrete closure wher-
ever there is a concrete leak possible as at changes of
dlrecbon and ends of decking runs, at columns, duct or
shaft openings, building perimeters, etc The closure
does not have to match the profile of the deck. When
shown on the drawing, a concrete slab edge form is
provided to retain the concrete slab at its approximate
height above the deck. Since concrete edge forms are
not intended to be screeds, they are not adjustable to

Figure 5

Deck { -f'°°rSeam ,
Direction "A" - §

ColuOmmnlt at Exterior -] / • ' % - Typ2"Max.

Ii I / ;.I Column
:- - '--V

- , _! /

I ,. , •.,-- Outhne of
•--•_'•"'•_•. _ • ' • _ • . • Deck Cutout
. . . . . . . !•_ I I t
I* i¢• t ' 1
L2¥'x2`''x3/'6
I On Top of Metal Deck

Connect Angle t o - J - • j I
Two Full Deck --P'-•
of
FluteScutoutEach Side -• I I
Om t Angles
= When DLmenslon
Note C3 Between Edge of
Floor Support and
Omit Angles In Edge of Column
Deck DIr "A" When Q •s Less than 6"
M1 · 6" or in Deck
Dir "S" When M2 · 6"

6 Steel T/ps January 1992

elevahon to meet the varying needs of the budding. Are there any precautions advised when using steel
The typical concrete edge form •s a galvamzed sheet decks in either roof or floor over open web steel
metal angle, with a thickness to meet required needs joists?
Yes, at end laps of the deck for roof deck, the lap should
be over one angle See Fig. 6 If the deck is butted on
Openings roof decks, there should be a continuous plate added to
transfer the shear from one angle to the other See Rg
7 For decks w•th structural concrete, the plate is not
What is the proper treatment for holes or penetra- necessary if the concrete does not have a joint over the
tions through a steel floor deck? Joist
Large holes (over 24" wide) should be en-
cased by structural frames connected to the Figure 6
mare framing members Smaller holes are /- • typical support weld
created by block-outs an the concrete (such as
styrofoam or wood forms) Either angles or /
rebar are used as headers in the slab, with the /
area of the reinforcing equal to or greater than
the area of the steel to be cut out. The header
bars should be installed on the d•agonal at the
corner of the opening After the concrete has
cured, the block-out can be removed and the
steel deck anthe area of the hole removed with
a cutting torch I Open web steel joist
Suggested Detail at Deck Lap
on Open Web Steel Joist
Diaphragms and Connections

Figure 7
How effective are steel floor panels as a
• typical support weld
horizontal diaphragm?
Combined wath concrete the assemblies offer
great ngidity and strength without greatly add-
ing to the diaphragm wetght. Values are
dependent upon deck profile, weld patterns
and spans In concept, the steel deck can act
as the shear transfer device between the con- I•Add mm 1/8' P.con t
crete fill and the perimeter (shear collector)
framing member Shearconnectorsordowels
can also be used for shear transfer
Detail at Deck Butt Joint
How are steel floor units attached?
By welding through the deck umts (arc-spot
weld) to the steel supports Side laps are See Fig. 8 (top of next page), which dlustrates a potential
button punched, welded or screwed to meet either problem when an open web joist IS poslboned close to
structural requirements or the specification of Under- a wall The joist has camber and unlessthe ledger angle
writers Laboratories is placed with the same camber, it is difficult to bend the
deck down to the ledger angle The solution is to either
How are diaphragm values of steel floor or roof poSlbOn the joist far enough from the wall to allow the
decks determined? deck to bend, or to camber the ledger angle the same as
Values are based on full-scale tests and on formulas the joist
developed in the Se/stoic Design for Buildings (Tn
Electrification
Service Manual, Army TM 5-809-10) Each quahfied
deck manufacturer has on file with ICBO or vartous
In in-floor wiring systems using cellular panels,
cities an Evaluation Report for approved welding pat-
how are the systems carried normal to the deck
terns and decking profiles
run?
Through the use of cross ducts above the top of the
Steel T/ps January 1992 7
 Figure 8
cellular unats Cross ducts are of two types, header duct
and trench header. See Fig. 9
Figure 9
J;' i : •' :•'' ',°:1•' Te'e0h°nelP°wer F
,,'.• . ;'•..• s
Steel Deck
Trench Header
-v ..• ..•, ,.,,o. '•.,i ......
l )
o , < 3 • • .
· o
Steel Deck '
Header Duct
What consideration should I give trench headers?
Since trench headers interrupt vertical composite de-
signed loading, the deck un•ts must carry the total dead
and live loads non-compositely Moment analysas at the
most critical area of the trench dact will determine the
structural requirements of the deck units Trench head-
ers should occur in areas of Iow diaphragm values orthe
deck reinforced to carry the diaphragm without con-
crete It is desirable to locate the trench duct outside of
the effective beam flange area in composite beam
construcbon. If this is not possible, design the beams as
slab one side or non-composately Also rewewthe effect
of the trench headers crossing the girder d that member
is designed on a composite basis, as wide trench
headers can ehmmate both studs and concrete Close
coordinahon is required between the structural designer
and the electrical designer so that rewew and solution of
8 Steel T/ps January 1992
--i'
I !
..Q
E
._1
O
...I
Joist too close to wall to •
allow deck to bend
Detail to Avoid
potenhal common problem areas are resolved prior to
bid time
Is header duct still used?
Originally the only method to dlstnbute wire, it stdl has
t
, ,,•.
hmated use For example, header duct does not dasturb
either the d•aphragm action of the assembly or the
vertical load capacity of the composite deck In addition,
it is often used as a jack header to carry dlstnbution to
cells interrupted by columns, openings and changes m
i t m'•
deck layout direction
Composite Construction
Can steel deck units be used with composite beam
construction?
Yes, stud welding is a relahvely simple process which
prowdes high quahty welded connecbons The headed
shear connectors may be apphed to the beam flange
directly through the steel decking sheets Arc spot welds
may be eliminated where they coincide wrth shear stud
placement
Are all steel floor panels composite construction?
Since the introduction of composite type floor construc-
tion 25 to 30 years ago, nearly all floor assembhes now
take advantage of the economies gamed by reduction of
weight of the steel, be •t the frame or the deck panel In
composite construcbon, steel floor panels hrst act to
support wet concrete and temporary construchon loads,
and upon curing of the slab act as the pos•hve steel
reinforcement of the concrete slab by bonding to the
concrete Embossed ridges (in a variety of patterns
dependent upon the producer) assist the bonding func-
tion Steel studs complete the composite action by
assisting the floor slab and steel beam to act as a single
composite unit
Can I use composite steel floor decks in every
application?
Basically the answer Is yes, but some cautEons are
necessary Since a composite steel floor slab is essen-
tially a one-way reinforced slab, it ts designed for office
building type installations When subjected to moving
loads such as fork lift trucks In Industrial applications or
heavy concentrated loads, special considerations such
as posd•ve or negative moment reinforcement are often
required. It is recommended that a deck manufacturer
be consulted for special applications
How are section properties of a composite floor
deck developed?
Producers of composite floor decking material publish
data based upon full-scale tests Designers should
review individual manufacturers' building code approv-
als
What are the design specifications for composite
beam/steel deck construction?
AISC recognizes this form of construction with design
criteria given in the AISC Manual of Steel Construct/on,
9th Edition, using e•ther ASD or LRFD In addition, the
International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO)
issues Evaluahon Reports listing approved use and
design load values for individual stud manufacturers
Is there a maximum thickness of metal decking for
through-deck stud welding?
The maximum deck thickness is 16 gauge with light
commercial (6 oz) galvamzed coating For double
plated decks, I e, cellular panels, 18/18 is the maxi-
mum
What are the usual size studs permitted for through-
deck welding?
The usual size is either 5/8" diameter or the widely used
3/4" diameter. Studs larger than 3/4" are not presently
approved under AISC specifications Standard stud
sizes are stocked and should be specified whenever
practical. Lead times are excessive for special lengths
and alloys on headed products
Does the design specify extra stud length to ac-
count for burnoff?
Studs from 1/4" through 1/2" diameter lose 1/8" in length
during the welding process, 5/8" through 7/8" diameters
lose 3/16" However, when welding 3/4" inch shear
connectors through metal deck, 3/8" to 1/2" is burned
off. Most manufacturers offer (stock) studs that accom-
modate commonly specified after-weld lengths
When studs are used in through-deck welding, what
are the requirements for the top flange of the sup-
porting steel beam?
The top flange of the beam should be free of deleterious
matenal which includes paint, rust and debris However,
small amounts of mill scale and rust can be tolerated
provided the metal deck fits tightly to the steel beam
surface. Mimimum flange width of 4-1/2" is suggested
for a single row of studs. For two rows of studs, the
minimum flange width suggested is 5-1/2" Flange thick-
ness should always be at least 1/3 of the stud diameter
to ensure complete development of fastener strength
Who installs shear connectors in through-deck ap-
plications?
The shear connector studs act as a structural weld
between the metal deck and the steel beam and are
installed by the metal deck installer. The shear connec-
tors cannot be placed in the shop because of field safety
regulations.
How is the soundness of arc spot welds (puddle
welds) determined?
By assessing the ability of the welder to make an arc-
spot weld as specified in AWS D1 3 Specification for
Welding Sheet Steel /n Structures and by visual inspec-
tion.
How are shear studs inspected in the field?
Inspection, testing and operator qualification are out-
lined in the Structural Welding Code, ANSI/AWS D1 1
and the budding code governing the project.
CODE REQUIREMENTS
General
What agencies approve steel floor deck?
Local, regional and state code authorities issue evalua-
tion reports including seismic shear allowable and ver-
tical load limits for each manufacturer's product. In
addition, national codes and review bodies such as
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) conduct electrical and
fire tested assemblies evaluations
What label service does Underwriters Laboratories
offer?
UL authorizes the use of labels on products for fire
resistance and for use as electrical raceways. They also
maintain a follow-up service
Are steel floor units fire safe?
Yes, steel floor decks are part of fire-resistant assem-
blies Contact the deck manufacturer and review the
Fire ResJstance Directory handbook of Underwriters
Laboratories, Inc., for one of many assembhes best
suited to your needs
Steel T/ps January 1992 9
 STRUCTURALSTEEL EDUCATIONAL COUNCIL

470 Fernwood Drive

Moraga, CA 94556
(510) 631-9570

SPONSORS

Adams & Smith Martin Iron Works, Inc.

Allied Steel Co., Inc. Nelson Stud Welding Co.

Artimex Iron Co., Inc. Oregon Steel Mills

Bannister Steel, Inc. Palm Iron & Bridge Works
Bethlehem Steel Corporation PDM Strocal, Inc.
C. A. Buchen Corporation Reno Iron Works
Butler Manufacturing Co. Riverside Steel Construction
Cochran-Izant & Co., Inc. H. H. Robertson Co.
Geneva Steel Schrader Iron Works, Inc.
The Herrick Corporation Stockton Steel
Hoertig Iron Works Stott, Inc.
Hogan Mfg., Inc. U.S. Steel Corporation
Junior Steel Co. Verco Manufacturing, Inc.
Lee & Daniel Vulcraft Sales Corp.
McLean Steel, Inc.

The local structural steel industry (above sponsors) stands ready to assist you in
determining the most economical solution for your products. Our assistance can
range from budget prices and estimated tonnage to cost comparisons, fabrication
details and delivery schedules.

Funding for this publication provided by the California Field Iron Workers Administrative Trust.