light-gauge open web steel jois
 

light-gauge open web steel joist?
is anyone familiar with such an animal? we have a building with these, and we're trying to change the use of the space, but the joists won't work with the new load. so, the questions are: a) where can i find info on such joists, and b) does anyone have any ideas on strengthening the system? right now, we're leaning toward inserting new joists or wide flanges between the joists, but that will get costly, and will be difficult with the tight spaces. if we can somehow use the existing joists. . .
the chords appear to be light gauge channels, with hollow tube webs. the structure is a metal building, if that helps. the floor is 3 1/2" concrete on 1 1/2" form deck (5" total).
check out our whitepaper library.
are these steel joists with bent plate chords or some of the more recent light gage trusses? are there any joist tags or designations?
if you can tell us when the building was built and the location, this would help give us an additional clues.
lubbock, texas, 1985. they appear to have the bent plate chords. there are no tags. i have not seen the joists myself--i'm posting this on behalf of my coworker. thanks!