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Structural

Column

In Plain English

A vertical support that transfers weight from floors and roofs down to the foundation.

Definition

A vertical structural member that carries compressive loads from beams, girders, or slabs down to the foundation. Columns may be made of steel, concrete, wood, or masonry. Slender columns are also designed to resist buckling under high compressive forces.

Example

Wide-flange steel columns at 20-foot centers carry the roof girder loads to the concrete spread footings below.

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