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Evaluation, Modification, Retrofit: Steel Joists, Roof, and Floors (12:30pm – 2:00pm Eastern)

Speakers:
Bruce Brothersen, PE, SE, and Walter Worthley, PE, SE
Date:
August 12, 2026
Session Details

1.5 PDHs / 0.2 IACET CEUs

This SEU session provides a practical overview of evaluating, modifying, and retrofitting existing open web steel joists and joist girders used in roof and floor systems. Participants will learn why retrofit projects are needed, review typical conditions that require structural modifications, and examine real-world examples of joists that have been successfully retrofitted to accommodate changing building needs.

Drawing on guidance from the Steel Joist Institute’s Technical Digest No. 12: Evaluation and Modification of Open Web Steel Joists and Joist Girders, the speakers will also demonstrate methods for evaluating existing joists and joist girders under revised loading conditions and present proven techniques for modifying these members to increase the load carrying capacity.

Learning Objectives:

  • Illustrate an example of joists that can be retrofitted and an example where joists should not be retrofitted.
  • Identify the key characteristics of in-place joists.
  • Demonstrate how to determine who the original manufacturer was and whether they can provide any additional documentation.
  • Describe how to verify the original design loads and evaluate the joist for the new loads.
  • Identify methods and practices to modify existing joists to increase the load carrying capacity.
  • Define details that are commonly used to increase the load carrying capacity of a joist component.

Current SE University subscribers can access the recording in their SEU Resource Center account. Please use the link below to view the session page in the SEU Session Library.

View in SEU Session Library