Structural

Structural

Beam

What is a beam in construction? Plain-English guide to structural beams, beam types (steel, timber, concrete), how beams carry ...

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Binder

What is a binder in construction? Plain-English guide to binder beams in timber floors - how they span between loadbearing wall...

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Collar Tie

What is a collar tie? Plain-English guide to collar ties in roof construction - how they prevent rafter spread, the difference ...

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Flitch Beam

What is a flitch beam? Plain-English guide to flitch plate beams - the timber and steel sandwich construction, why they are use...

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Joist

What is a joist? Plain-English definition of floor, ceiling and roof joists, sizing, centres, notching rules, and Building Regu...

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Lintel

What is a lintel? Plain-English definition of lintels in construction, types used in UK building, minimum bearing lengths, and ...

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Load-bearing Wall

What is a load-bearing wall? How to identify one, what happens when you remove it, Building Regulations requirements under Part...

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Padstone

What is a padstone? Plain-English definition of padstones in construction, why they are needed under RSJs and lintels, how they...

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Purlin

What is a purlin? Plain-English guide to purlins in traditional cut roofs, how purlins reduce rafter span, purlin sizing, strut...

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Rafter

What is a rafter? Plain-English guide to common rafters, hip and valley rafters, rafter sizing, the difference between cut roof...

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RSJ (Rolled Steel Joist)

What is an RSJ? Plain-English explanation of rolled steel joists, how they differ from universal beams, how they are specified,...

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Shear Wall

What is a shear wall? Plain-English guide to shear walls and racking resistance in timber-frame buildings - how they work, why ...

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Spreader Plate

What is a spreader plate? Plain-English guide to spreader plates and padstones at beam bearings - how they distribute concentra...

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Stud Wall

What is a stud wall? Plain-English guide to timber and metal stud partition walls, how they are built, the difference between l...

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Wall Plate

What is a wall plate in construction? Plain-English guide to roof wall plates, how they distribute rafter loads into masonry wa...

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