Metal web joists
Engineered wood products and an introduction to timber structural systems, published by the Structural Timber Association, defines metal web joists as “shallow parallel chord trusses manufactured using similar techniques to that used for trussed rafters comprising a member with flanges (or chords) usually made from softwood and with metal or timber strutting to form the webs'.
Metal web joists are also referred to as open web joists.
The Code of Practice for Engineered Wood Products, published by the Engineered Wood Products Committee of the UK Timber Frame Association, states that ‘open web joists are structural members manufactured with chords made from softwood or laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and with metal or timber strutting to form the webs. The chords are connected to each other by a system of triangulation, which may be provided by thin gauge steel webs incorporating integral nail-plated zones’.
Metal web joists are primarily used for floor and roof joists. They are generally preferred over thin webbed joists (or I-joists) for these applications, because this type of joist tends to provide space for services as well as a structural zone.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Joist.
- Rolled steel joist (RSJ).
- Thin webbed joists.
- Timber post and beam construction.
- Timber engineered structural frames.
- Types of beam.
- Types of flooring.
[edit] External resources
- Engineered Wood Products Committee, UK Timber Frame Association, The Code of Practice for Engineered Wood Products.
- Structural Timber Association, Engineered wood products and an introduction to timber structural systems.
Featured articles and news
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.