Steel Frame Construction Course

Lesson 1 • Steel Grades and Specifications

Introduces standard steel grades used in structural framing and their designation systems. Students match grade selection to load and environmental requirements.

Lesson 2 • Industry Terminology and Standards

Defines the vocabulary and regulatory frameworks governing steel frame construction. Accurate terminology use is required for all professional communication in later chapters.

Lesson 3 • Steel as a Structural Material

Covers the physical and mechanical properties that make steel suitable for framing. Establishes the material science baseline needed for all subsequent chapters.

Lesson 1 • Section Selection Workflow

Provides a systematic process for choosing the correct section given load, span, and serviceability criteria. Integrates all section types covered in the chapter into a decision framework.

Lesson 2 • Built-Up and Composite Members

Explains how fabricators create custom sections by combining standard shapes or adding concrete. Students recognize when built-up members are required over standard sections.

Lesson 3 • Angles, Channels, and Plates

Introduces secondary structural shapes used for connections, bracing, and miscellaneous framing. Students identify appropriate uses for each shape in a frame assembly.

Lesson 4 • Wide-Flange and I-Beam Sections

Examines the geometry and load-carrying behavior of W-shapes and standard I-beams. These are the most common framing members and anchor all member selection discussions.

Lesson 1 • Load Path and Load Combinations

Traces how loads travel from roof to foundation and explains factored load combination formats. Students apply combinations to generate governing design demands.

Lesson 2 • Lateral Load Types

Covers wind and seismic loads as primary lateral demands on steel frames. Students distinguish between static equivalent and dynamic lateral load approaches.

Lesson 3 • Gravity Load Types

Defines dead, live, and superimposed dead loads and their sources in building construction. Accurate gravity load estimation is the starting point for all frame design.

Lesson 1 • Second-Order and Stability Effects

Explains P-delta effects and their amplification of moments in slender frames. Students apply amplification factors to first-order results for code-compliant design.

Lesson 2 • Equilibrium and Free Body Diagrams

Reviews statics fundamentals applied to structural members and joints. Correct free body diagrams are the prerequisite for all internal force calculations.

Lesson 3 • Frame Analysis Methods

Introduces portal method and direct stiffness concepts for analyzing multi-story steel frames. Students apply simplified hand methods and interpret software output.

Lesson 4 • Analysis of Simple and Continuous Beams

Extends analysis from simply supported to multi-span continuous beams using compatibility methods. Students recognize how continuity redistributes moments and affects design.

Lesson 1 • Beam Flexural Design

Applies plastic and elastic flexural capacity equations to beam design under bending. Students check yielding, lateral-torsional buckling, and local buckling limit states.

Lesson 2 • Beam Shear and Deflection

Covers shear capacity of beam webs and serviceability deflection limits. Both checks are required to complete a beam design before proceeding to connections.

Lesson 3 • Combined Axial and Bending Design

Addresses beam-column members subject to simultaneous axial force and bending moment. Students apply interaction equations to verify combined demand capacity ratios.

Lesson 4 • Brace and Tension Member Design

Designs diagonal braces and tension members for yielding and fracture limit states. Students size braces for lateral systems and check net section reductions at connections.

Lesson 1 • Standard Connection Types

Applies bolt and weld design to shear tabs, clip angles, moment end plates, and column base plates. Students select and detail the appropriate connection type for each framing condition.

Lesson 2 • Bolt Types and Installation

Identifies high-strength bolt grades, installation methods, and pretension requirements. Proper bolt selection and installation directly affect connection reliability.

Lesson 3 • Weld Types and Processes

Covers fillet, groove, and plug weld geometries and the welding processes used in structural steel. Students match weld type to joint configuration and load direction.

Lesson 4 • Welded Connection Design

Calculates fillet weld capacity for direct and eccentric shear loading conditions. Students size welds and check base metal shear rupture as a governing limit state.

Lesson 1 • Special Moment Frame Systems

Designs beam-to-column moment connections for ductile seismic performance in special moment frames. Students apply strong-column weak-beam requirements and prequalified connection details.

Lesson 2 • Concentric Braced Frame Systems

Covers ordinary, special, and buckling-restrained concentric braced frame configurations and their design requirements. Students proportion braces and connections for code-level seismic demands.

Lesson 3 • Steel Plate Shear Walls

Explains the tension field action mechanism in steel plate shear walls and their design approach. Students size infill plates and boundary elements for lateral force demands.

Lesson 4 • Eccentric Braced Frame Systems

Introduces the link beam as the energy-dissipating element in eccentric braced frames. Students design link beams for shear and flexural yielding and check adjacent member demands.

Lesson 1 • Nondestructive Testing Methods

Introduces visual, ultrasonic, magnetic particle, and radiographic testing for weld quality assurance. Students select the appropriate NDT method based on weld type and criticality.

Lesson 2 • Steel Fabrication Processes

Explains shop fabrication operations including cutting, drilling, fitting, and welding of structural steel. Understanding fabrication constraints improves connection design and detailing decisions.

Lesson 3 • Field Bolting and Welding

Addresses field connection installation, inspection, and common defects for bolted and welded joints. Students distinguish acceptable from rejectable conditions per inspection standards.

Lesson 4 • Structural Steel Inspection

Defines the roles of special inspectors and the inspection tasks required at each construction phase. Students prepare inspection hold points and document findings correctly.