When talking about steel buildings, a lot of construction terminology tends to get thrown around. If you’re not in the construction industry or not an experienced do-it-yourselfer, it can be easy to get lost. Below are some common terms that get used during metal building construction.

Slab – The wearing or internal concrete or other suitable surface of a building that is usable and holds the building in place.

Foundation – The reinforced concrete or alternate materials that stabilize the perimeter of the structure and take the bearing pressure of the structure for stress.

Cubic yards – Concrete companies use this measurement when computing the required amount of materials needed to pour your foundation and slab. Batch plants that deliver concrete products also use the unit of measurement. A cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet (That is an area 3’ wide x 3’ high x 3’ long.)

Reinforcement Steel– It is typically called rebar and used to reinforce concrete areas that may have stress imposed on it. It will help keep concrete from separating under catastrophic conditions. Rebar comes in1/8” increments: example a # 3 piece of rebar is 3/8” in diameter.

Forming Materials – This is typically lumber purchased at any local building supply stores. Many people already know it as 2 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s, boards, stakes, nails, spikes and/or screws.

Anchorage – A method to attach and hold down the building’s attachment plates (or in some cases structural steel.) Always refer to the manufacturer’s recommended sizes when purchasing them. Examples of anchorage methods include: galvanized j-bolts, galvanized or zinc coated wedge anchors and threaded rods using epoxy to hold in place.

Building Number – It is a specific number that has been assigned and recorded to identify your building. It is also used to reference your building on bill of ladings, pallets containing your building parts and blue prints.

Check back next week for more construction terminology or ask the Steel Master your question below.