"C" - Glossary of Post Frame Industry Terms

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N
O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Camber - A predetermined curvature designed into a structural member to offset the anticipated deflection when loads are applied.

Cantilever - A beam or column supported only at one end. A sidewall column of a roof only structure is a cantilevered pole. The portion of a roof purlin extending beyond the gable endwall of a building to support an endwall overhang is cantilevered.

CCA: Chromated Copper Arsenate - a preservative treatment normally used on easily treated wood specie such as Hem-Fir or Ponderosa Pine.

Ceiling Joists - A secondary horizontal framing member attached between the bottom chords of trusses. Serves as a structural member to which gypsum wallboard or other ceiling finishing materials may be attached.

Check - Separation of the wood usually extending across the annual growth rings (I.E., a split perpendicular-to-growth rings). Commonly results from stresses built up in wood during seasoning.

Chords (or Bottom Chord or Top Chord) - An inclined or horizontal member establishing the top or bottom of a roof truss.

Cladding or "building skin" - Refers to the exterior building covering.

Clear Height - Vertical distance between the finished floor and the lowest part of a truss, rafter, girder. NOT the same as eave height.

Clear Span - Clear distance between adjacent supports of a horizontal or inclined member. Horizontal distance between the facing surfaces of adjacent supports.

Closure Strip - A resilient strip; formed to the contour of ribbed panels and used to close openings created by metal panels joining other components. Typically used underneath ridge caps.

Column - A rectangular primary structural member, sawn on four sides before treatment, is generally uniform in cross section along its length. May be either sawn or laminated dimensional lumber. It is the primary structural element of the building side and end walls. They are a vertical structural member used in a building to transfer loads from main roof beams, rafters and/or trusses to the foundation. Usually also supports a horizontal wind load. Generally partly embedded in the soil to provide lateral and vertical support for the structure.

Concrete Collar - Concrete placed into the pre-bored hole around a structural building column. The concrete may only fill a portion of the bottom of the hole, as individually determined for each engineered building. Compacted soil is then placed on top of the concrete to fill up the rest of the hole. The engineer of record specifies the depth of the concrete collar. In some localities, or due to high wind and/or snow loads, the concrete may entirely fill the hole. The collar provides superior resistance to wind uplift forces.

Continuity - The terminology given to a structural system denoting the transfer of loads and stresses from member to member as if there were no connections.

Corner Post - An end wall column located at the corner of the building.

Crook - The greatest point of bow or crook on a piece of lumber. The opposite of cupping.

Crown - The greatest point of bow or crook on a piece of lumber. The opposite of cupping.

Cup - Deviation, in the wide face of a piece of lumber, from a straight line drawn from edge to edge of the piece.

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