In construction shorthand, steel refers to the structural beams, columns, girders, and rebar used on a project. Ironworkers and framers use the term to distinguish the heavy metal skeleton of a building from the concrete, timber, or masonry elements. It dictates the sequence of trades on a commercial site.
Heard on the job
The concrete is poured, so the crane is showing up Tuesday to start hanging the steel.
Also heard as
- structural steel
- iron