Magazine Articles

A practical guide to safe and efficient steel joist and deck erection, emphasizing early planning, proper laydown and handling, OSHA-compliant installation methods, and rigorous field inspection to minimize risk and ensure project success.

From long-span roof systems to composite floor assemblies, steel deck offers architects and engineers a versatile solution that delivers structural efficiency, acoustic performance, design flexibility, and streamlined construction across a wide range of building types.

Steel deck diaphragm design is more accessible than many engineers realize, and understanding the mechanics behind modern diaphragm strength calculations—from early test-based methods to today’s rational, code-referenced approaches—can demystify the process and improve design confidence.

The Steel Deck Institute has recently published a new 2023 Edition of the SDI Code of Standard Practice for Steel Deck. This edition is unique because it is a completely revised edition, and this is the first version developed as a consensus standard under ANSI guidelines.

New resources provide comprehensive information on why one should consider using steel deck on cold-formed steel trusses.

Traditional membrane roof systems on steel decks have a uniform wind uplift load transfer, but newer single-ply membrane roof systems, particularly those with wider sheets, use seam-fastened, mechanically attached methods resulting in larger tributary uplift loads per fastener and non-uniform loading configurations.

Steel floor or roof deck is only as good as its fastening. Whether it is the performance of the product as a diaphragm to transfer wind or seismic forces, resisting wind uplift, acting as a concrete form, providing bracing to beams or joists, or providing a safe working platform during ...

The Steel Deck Institute (SDI) has released the new and long awaited 4th Edition of the Diaphragm Design Manual (DDM04). This new edition complies with the requirements of the new ANSI/AISI S310-13 North American Standard for the Design of Profiled Steel Diaphragm Panels.

Learn what an arc spot weld is, how the weld is made and how to ensure quality welds are produced.

Discover how composite steel deck has been developed over time.

Review frequently asked questions pertaining to steel deck and its attachment to steel framing by welding.