Structural Engineering Terms

Front

Base Plate

Back

A flat, sturdy piece of material, typically metal, serving as a foundation for columns or machinery. It distributes weight and provides stability.

Front

End Plate

Back

A steel plate welded to the end of a beam or column, typically used for connecting it to another structural member.

Front

Compression

Back

A force that tends to crush or squeeze a material by applying pressure to it.

Front

Tension

Back

A force that tends to pull a material apart by applying a pulling force.

Front

Shearing

Back

A force that tends to slice a material, like a guillotine.

Front

Bending

Back

A force that tends to rotate a joint, applying tension to one side and compression to the other.

Front

Pitch

Back

The distance between the centres of adjacent bolts in a bolted connection.

Front

Minimum Pitch

Back

The shortest allowable distance between bolts, ensuring sufficient material between them.

Front

Maximum Pitch

Back

The longest allowable distance between bolts, ensuring the elements are effectively joined.

Front

Edge Distance

Back

The minimum distance from the centre of a bolt hole to the edge of a plate.