Steel girders balance tension and compressive forces. Girders are structural members that connect the top of columns and usually support the weight of the building above them. They're often deeper and stronger than steel joists. They are designed so that steel joists bearing only at panel points span between girders or beams. While open web steel joist girders can look like a simple truss, their behavior is much more complex.

Disclaimer: Bar joists are an engineered product and can only support their required design load if the “system” is designed and installed properly. The Engineer-of-Record (EOR) is responsible of designing this system that includes but not limited to bridging, supports, connections, anchors and specific design loads. It is the purchasers responsibility to ensure that joists and bridging purchased will be selected, erected and installed properly.

The simplest loading pattern for a truss occurs when all the loads act at the intersection between the web and chord. These intersections are known as panel points. The girders' top and bottom chords are usually parallel to each other. They can be identified by their shape, which is called a warren truss (or Warren truss). With zigzagging webs forming the letter w throughout these trusses can become more complicated when loads do not occur at panel points alone.

A steel girders truss must be designed to withstand both horizontal and vertical forces. The top chords must resist bending due to continuous roof loads, and the bottom chords must support sprinkler pipes and ductwork falling between the panel points. These girders are designed so they can carry extra weight to help transfer these forces into the next panel point.

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