What does the term 'splicing' refer to in ironworking?

The term 'splicing' in ironworking specifically refers to the process of joining two pieces of steel together end to end. This technique is often necessary when dealing with long spans or when the length of steel members does not match the requirements of the structure. By splicing the steel, ironworkers can extend the length of beams or columns to meet design specifications.

This connection can be achieved through various methods, such as bolting or welding, depending on the design, load requirements, and specifications of the project. The importance of splicing lies in its ability to ensure structural integrity while maintaining the necessary load distribution across the joined steel members.

The other choices describe different practices in ironworking but do not capture the specific nature of splicing. Cutting steel to shape pertains to the initial preparation of materials, welding refers to connecting two beams through fusion rather than end-to-end joining, and reinforcing a joint involves adding support to a connection rather than the act of joining two lengths together.