Light gauge steel and rollforming glossary
Short definitions of terms used in light gauge steel design and production, and what they mean in QSteelCAD.
Bracing and load path
- Load path
- The sequence of members and connections a force passes through from where it acts to the ground. If one link is missing the system is not complete.
- Article: Light Steel Bracing Systems GuideArticle: Lateral Load Path in Light Steel
- Braced panel
- A light steel wall panel that resists lateral load with bracing members. TBDY 2018 classes this system as Limited Ductility Level.
- Article: Light Steel Bracing Systems GuideArticle: Light steel erection checklist, Table 10.1
- Sheathed panel
- A light steel wall panel that resists lateral load with sheathing fixed by screws. For sheathing to count as structural, stud spacing is at most 625 mm.
- Article: Light Steel Bracing Systems GuideArticle: Lateral Load Path in Light Steel
- X strap bracingStrap bracing
- Two flat steel straps fixed corner to corner on a panel face. It works in tension only; when the load reverses, the other strap takes over.
- Article: Light Steel Bracing Systems GuideArticle: Light Steel Panel Rules 2027
- K bracing
- A K-shaped layout of C-profile diagonals inside a panel bay. It carries tension and compression and needs buckling and node checks.
- Article: Light Steel Bracing Systems GuideArticle: Modelling Bracing in CAD
- Chord stud
- The stud at the end of a load-bearing panel segment. It carries tension and compression from bracing or sheathing and connects to the anchor.
- Article: Turkey light steel regulation 2027Article: Light Steel Bracing Systems Guide
- BridgingNoggin
- A horizontal member fixed between studs to shorten their buckling length. It holds the stud; it does not carry the building's lateral load.
- Article: Turkey light steel regulation 2027Article: Light Steel Bracing Systems Guide
- Hold-down
- A connection that transfers tension in the chord stud at a panel end to the structure below.
- Article: Turkey light steel regulation 2027Article: Light Steel Bracing Systems Guide
- Shear anchor
- A connection that transfers horizontal force at the panel base to the foundation. The number comes from the shear force to be transferred.
- Article: Lateral Load Path in Light SteelArticle: Hold-Down vs Shear Anchor
- Gusset plate
- A corner plate that spreads the force of a bracing member into studs and tracks.
- Article: Gusset Plates and Strap End Connections
- Diaphragm
- The in-plane action of a floor or roof that collects lateral force and delivers it to the lateral load-resisting walls.
- Article: Light Steel Bracing Systems GuideArticle: Light Steel Panel Rules 2027
- Collector
- A line that gathers diaphragm force into a lateral load-resisting panel or carries chord force.
- Article: Lateral Load Path in Light SteelArticle: TBDY 2018 Chapter 10 braced panel rules
- Eccentricity
- A force acting away from a member's axis. With a strap on one face, the moment T·e goes into the stud design.
- Article: Turkey light steel regulation 2027Article: Light Steel Bracing Systems Guide
- Net section
- The cross-section left after holes are taken out. Net section strength is checked at bracing connections.
- Article: What Is X-Strap Bracing?Article: TBDY 2018 Chapter 10 braced panel rules
- Overstrength factorD
- A TBDY factor that sizes the members and anchors connected to bracing for amplified forces.
- Article: Lateral Load Path in Light SteelArticle: What Is X-Strap Bracing?
- Temporary prop
- An inclined erection support that holds a panel until the permanent lateral system is complete. It is not permanent bracing.
- Article: Light steel erection checklist, Table 10.1Article: Bracing vs Bridging, Diaphragm and Props
- Strap tensioner
- An erection part used to fix strap bracing under tension.
- Article: Strap Bracing Tension and Tensioners
General terms
- Light gauge steelLGS, cold-formed steel (CFS)
- A building system made of profiles cold-formed from thin steel sheet. Wall, roof and floor structures are built from these profiles.
- Article: How to Choose Light Gauge Steel SoftwareArticle: General CAD vs Light Gauge Steel Software
- Takeoff
- The list of material quantities in a building. QSteelCAD calculates it from net area, waste rate and unit price, and never invents a price for a material without one.
- Related solution: Presentation and costingArticle: How to Choose Light Gauge Steel SoftwareArticle: General CAD vs Light Gauge Steel Software
Plans and wall panels
Create architecture from plan- Panel
- A wall, roof or ceiling section made of profiles, produced and then assembled on site. QSteelCAD builds panels from a DXF plan.
- Related solution: Create architecture from planArticle: How to Choose Light Gauge Steel SoftwareArticle: General CAD vs Light Gauge Steel Software
- Stud
- A vertical load-bearing profile in a wall panel. It has a lipped C section and forms the main structure of the panel.
- Related solution: Create architecture from planArticle: How to Choose Light Gauge Steel SoftwareArticle: Turkey light steel regulation 2027
- Track
- The unlipped U profile that connects the studs at the bottom and top of a wall panel.
- Related solution: Create architecture from planArticle: Turkey light steel regulation 2027Article: Light Steel Bracing Systems Guide
- Lintel
- The horizontal member above a door or window opening. It transfers the load from above to the studs on either side of the opening.
- Related solution: Create architecture from planArticle: How to Choose Light Gauge Steel SoftwareArticle: Light Steel Bracing Systems Guide
- Corner bracing
- Diagonal members added at wall panel corners. In QSteelCAD you choose None, Zigzag or K; bracing adds wall steel, and its adequacy is for the project engineer to approve.
- Related solution: Create architecture from planArticle: Light Steel Bracing Systems GuideArticle: What Is K-Bracing? Profile Bracing
- DXF
- A file format for moving CAD drawings between programs. QSteelCAD reads DXF plans; it does not read DWG, so the file must be saved as DXF.
- Related solution: Create architecture from planArticle: How to Choose Light Gauge Steel SoftwareArticle: General CAD vs Light Gauge Steel Software
Roofs
Automatic roof- Truss
- The framed member that carries the roof. In QSteelCAD, Automatic roof places trusses by spacing and shows how many you will get before creating them.
- Related solution: Automatic roofArticle: How to Choose Light Gauge Steel SoftwareArticle: Lateral Load Path in Light Steel
- Girder truss
- A truss that carries other trusses at a junction. QSteelCAD flags these joints as needing an engineer's approval.
- Related solution: Automatic roofArticle: Lateral Load Path in Light Steel
- Hip roof
- A roof that slopes on all four sides. In Automatic roof the end type can be half truss or cut truss.
- Related solution: Automatic roof
- Gable roof
- A roof that slopes on two sides. It is one of the shapes Automatic roof builds.
- Related solution: Automatic roof
Rollforming and production
Production and CAM- Rollforming
- A production line where steel strip passes through successive rollers and takes the shape of a profile. Stations along the line punch holes, notch, flatten and finally cut the profile.
- Related solution: Production and CAMArticle: How to Choose Light Gauge Steel SoftwareArticle: General CAD vs Light Gauge Steel Software
- .bde file
- The production file a rollforming line reads. Each line describes one profile: its name, length and operation positions. QSteelCAD writes one .bde and one CSV per section.
- Related solution: Production and CAMArticle: Galvanizing by province in TurkeyArticle: Gusset Plates and Strap End Connections
- Machine profile
- The setting that defines which operations a rollforming line can perform. QSteelCAD ships with Rollform-80, 90, 140, 200 and 300; operations a profile doesn't support never reach the line.
- Related solution: Production and CAMArticle: How to Choose Light Gauge Steel Software
- Station
- A unit on a rollforming line that performs one operation. In QSteelCAD, stations H, F, N, S, S2 and S3 switch on or off per machine profile.
- Related solution: Production and CAMArticle: How to Choose Light Gauge Steel Software
- Notchn:
- A cut in a profile's web or flange for a connection. Written in the n: field of a .bde line.
- Related solution: Production and CAMArticle: How to Choose Light Gauge Steel SoftwareArticle: General CAD vs Light Gauge Steel Software
- Flattenf:
- An area of a profile flattened for a connection. Written in the f: field of a .bde line.
- Related solution: Production and CAM
- Swagew:
- An operation that narrows a profile's section. Written in the w: field of a .bde line.
- Related solution: Production and CAMArticle: Modelling Bracing in CAD
- Service holes:, l:
- A small or large hole in a profile for services. Written in the s: and l: fields of a .bde line.
- Related solution: Production and CAMArticle: Turkey light steel regulation 2027Article: Openings and services in braced panels