A beam, column, and foundation support the entire weight of a building or structure in a frame construction. Beams are joined to columns, and columns are connected to footing foundations. The footing safely transfers the weight from the beam to the column, then to the footing, and ultimately to the earth. The connection between the beam and the column is called a framing member. The most common framing members are cross-ties for wood frames and steel posts for concrete frames. The beam is attached to the column at their intersection using a framing member called a header. The header transmits the load from the beam to the column across their respective faces. If the beam and column were simply fastened together, then all the force would be transmitted through this joint, causing both items to fail simultaneously. By attaching the beam to the column with a header, the two items will fail separately - the beam will collapse before the column does. The header also provides space for any required shear movement between the beam and the column. For example, if the column is fixed while the beam expands or contracts as it gains or loses moisture, the header allows for this motion without failure. Finally, the header protects the column from being hit by debris when the beam is repaired or replaced. When a beam is not attached to a column, but rather rests on top of several supporting joists (called "stringers" in the U.S.), it is called a gable beam.