Beam Designs Types

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Beam Designs Types

There are many different types of beam designs to choose from when designing a structure. Engineers can choose from various shapes, sizes, construction materials, and construction techniques. Beams can be solid, hollow, or even sawn off. Deciding on the proper beam design for a particular structure can be a complicated process. Structural engineers and builders have many different beam designs to choose from when creating attempting to create a sound structure design.

Cantilever Beam

Cantilever beam designs create a suspended effect. These beams allow the creation of a bay window, balconies, and some bridges. In cantilever beam designs, the weight load is
distributed back into the main beams of the structure, allowing a portion of the structure to extend beyond the supported perimeters of the structure's foundation.

I Beam

I beam designs are very popular choices in construction. The I beam is shaped like a capital I, allowing the weight of the structure to be distributed along the wider, flat surface of the flanges of the beam. The I beam design is the most efficient vertical load supporter. The I beam design is the most common foundational beam design found in residential structures.

Flitch Beam

Flitch beam designs are composite beams made from layering steel and wood to create a lightweight beam with adequate strength. The addition of wood elements allows the beams to
be nailed to existing wooden structures. Flitch beams are less expensive than solid steel beam designs. They are used to support heavy vertical loads while maintaining a strict
construction budget.

Hip Beam Designs

Hip beam designs are popular in roofing designs. A hip beam provides support for other load bearing beams branching off at symmetrical angles. This design is often used in roofing.

Special Beam Designs

For some structures, a special beam design is called for. These specially crafted beams may resemble circular pipes, the letter C, or may bend at right angles to perform certain load bearing functions in a structure. Special beam designs can significantly complicate the designing of a structure.

Beam Materials

The various types of beams may be constructed of various materials as well as a mixture of shapes and sizes. Some beams are made of pre-stressed concrete, poured concrete, iron, wood, glulams, and other composite materials.

Beam designs vary so greatly that making the correct choice when designing a structure can be challenging. Structural engineering software can help take the guesswork out of the
design process. Beam design software can also help an engineer decide if the desired beam designs are appropriate for the structure.

Authored by: Susan This question has been viewed 4511 times so far.

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