Here is the list of the most common steel detailing abbreviations used in the modern era. An abbreviation is a shortened form of a written word or phrase. Abbreviations may be used to save space and time, to avoid repetition of long words and phrases, or simply to conform to conventional usage.
The list of abbreviations used in a set of structural drawings varies from client to client. Be sure to check the front section of the drawing set for the abbreviations used within.
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| AISC | American institute of steel construction |
| AWS | American welding society |
| AESS | Architecturally exposed structural steel |
| ASD | Allowable Stress Design |
| SSPC | Structural steel painting council (society of protective coating) |
| ASTM | American society for testing material |
| IBC | International Building Codes |
| OSHA | Occupational safety and health administration |
| LRFD | Load and Resistance Factor Design |
| SDI | Steel Deck Institute |
| SJI | Steel Joist Institute |
| HVAC | Heat ventilation and air conditioning |
| ABM | Advanced bill of material |
| EOR | Engineer of Record |
| RFI | Request for Information |
| IFA | Issue for Approval |
| BFA | Back form Approval |
| IFF | Issue for Fabrication |
| GC | General Contractor |
| GA | General Arrangement |
| AB | Anchor bolts |
| BOB | Bottom of base plate |
| BOM | Bill of material |
| B/s | Both side |
| CIP | Cast-in-place |
| CLR | Clear |
| COL | Column |
| CONC. | Concrete |
| CMU | Concrete masonry unit |
| CJP | Complete joint penetration |
| CONT. | Continuous |
| CG | Centre of gravity |
| CL | Centre line |
| DEPR | Depression |
| DIM | Dimension |
| DET | Detail |
| DIA | Diameter |
| DL | Development length |
| DIR | Direction |
| DWLS | Dowels |
| EOD | Edge of deck |
| EA | Each |
| EE | Each end |
| EF | Each face |
| EJ | Expansion joint |
| ES | Each side |
| EQ | Equal |
| F/s | Far side |
| Ft. | Foot or feet |
| FL | Floor |
| FTG | Footing |
| FFE | Finished floor elevation |
| GALV | Galvanized |
| GA | Gauge |
| GOL | Gauge of leg |
| GR | Grade |
| GB | Grade beam |
| HT | Height |
| HOR | Horizontal |
| HSS | Hollow structural section |
| In. | Inches |
| ID | Inside diameter |
| K | Kips (1000 pounds) |
| LLV | Long leg vertical |
| MTL | Metal |
| N/s | Near side |
| OC | On centre |
| OD | Outside diameter |
| OSL | Outstanding leg |
| P/p | Point to point |
| PL | Plate |
| PT | Point |
| PJP | Partial joint penetration |
| PVC | Polyvinyl Chloride |
| PSF | Pounds per square feet |
| PSI | Pounds per Square Inch |
| R | Radius |
| REINF | Reinforcement |
| RD | Running dimension |
| SECT | Section |
| SC | Slip critical |
| SIM | Similar |
| SLV | Short leg vertical |
| SOG | Slab on grade |
| SL | Splice length |
| SQ. | Square |
| STD | Standard |
| STL | Steel |
| SF | Step footing |
| STIFF | Stiffener |
| THK | Thick or thickness |
| THRD | Threaded |
| T&B | Top and bottom |
| TOC | Top of concrete |
| TOF | Top of footing |
| TOS | Top of steel |
| TOW | Top of wall |
| TOG | Top of grating |
| TYP | Typical |
| UNO | Unless noted otherwise |
| U/s | Underside |
| VIF | Verify in field |
| W/ | With |
| WP | Work point |
Note that some of these abbreviations may have multiple meanings depending on the context, so it's always a good idea to confirm the intended meaning with the author or client.