7 Analysis and Design of Joist Girder

Chapter one
Introduction

1.1. OPEN WEB STEEL JOISTS

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8 Analysis and Design of Joist Girder

Open web steel joists, or “Bar Joists” are very efficient structural members commonly used to
support roofs, and to a lesser degree, floors. Steel joists are NOT considered structural steel. As
such, they are manufactured as proprietary structural members by various manufacturers. The
Steel Joist Institute, SJI, is an organization founded in 1928 that was established to set
standards for manufacture, design and construction of joists. It recognizes manufacturers who
comply with their standards. Some of the larger SJI recognized manufacturers include Vulcraft,
Canam Steel Corp. and SMI Joist Company.
1.2. K-SERIES JOISTS
The most commonly-used joist style is the so-called “K” series. It has a depth ranging from 8”
up to 30” and is used economically to span up to 60’-0”. A typical K series joist is as shown
below:

Fig.(1.1)

Steel joists are fastened to its supporting members usually by field welding as shown below:

Fig.(1.2)

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9 Analysis and Design of Joist Girder

Unlike structural steel beams, steel joists must use bridging placed perpendicular to the span to
obtain its stability. This bridging can be one of 2 types:
• Horizontal Bridging
• Diagonal Bridging
Bridging requirements are shown in the Vulcraft Joist Catalog p. (9 and 35) and is a function
of the Section Number and span Joists using horizontal bridging is shown below:

Fig.(1.3)
1.3. LH AND DLH SERIES JOISTS
The LH series joists have depths ranging between 18” and 48” and are suitable for spans up to
96’-0”. The DLH series joists have depths ranging between 52” and 72” and are suitable for
spans up to 144’-0”. They are not as commonly used as K series joists, but provide an
inexpensive alternative to spanning longer distances than the K series joists. One difference
between K series joists is the required end bearing width and height are 6” and 5” respectively
for the LH and DLH (vs. 4” and 2½” for the K series).

Fig.(1.4)

1.4. JOIST GIRDERS

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10 Analysis and Design of Joist Girder

Joist girders are designed to carry the end reactions from equally-spaced joists applied to the
panel points. Typical depths of joist girders range from 20” up to 96” with spans of 100’-0” or
more.

Fig.(1.5)
A typical joist girder connection to steel column is shown below:

Fig.(1.6)

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