North Carolina Building Contractor License Practice Exam

Joist girders must not be what dimension?

1. 1 inch

2. 3/4 inch

3. 1/2 inch

4. 1/4 inch

The correct answer is: 3/4 inch

Joist girders play a critical role in the structural integrity of buildings, serving as the primary support elements for the joists that carry the floor or roof loads. The dimensioning of joist girders is governed by engineering and safety standards, which are designed to ensure that these components can adequately support designated loads and resist bending and shear forces. In this context, a dimension of 3/4 inch for a joist girder would be significantly insufficient to provide the necessary strength and stability. Joist girders typically require a greater cross-sectional area to handle the loads placed upon them. When considering standard practices and codes, the minimum dimension for structural elements like joist girders is generally much larger than this size to maintain safety and performance. By understanding that 3/4 inch is too small for the structural demands placed on joist girders, one can appreciate the importance of adhering to established dimensions that ensure safety, performance, and longevity in construction.