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The significance of using the right type of structural beam for any construction project cannot be stressed enough. Your entire project’s performance and cost-efficiency are heavily dependent on the use of the right steel profile at the right spot. No matter if you’re installing mezzanines, framing a commercial building or working on a custom residential structure.
While there are many beam types, W-beams, I-beams, and C-beams or channels are the most commonly used shapes in steel construction. You need to know when to use which of these. This blog talks about just that - detailing their strengths, differences, and ideal use-case scenarios.
Wide-flange beams are a class apart when it comes to strength. As their name suggests, they have wide and flat flanges coupled with nearly identical webs, which is the prime reason behind their robustness. What sets W-beams apart from I-beams is that the latter is equally thick throughout the flange and web. They are widely requested by contractors from metal fabrication in Toronto.
W-beams can be used to:
Capable of efficiently handling loads across vertical and horizontal planes, W-beams are ideal for high-strength, high-traffic applications such as multi-story commercial buildings. W-beams are also resistant to bending and twisting owing to their wide flanges. So if strength and stability are paramount parameters for your project, especially over long spans, you cannot go wrong with W-beams.
If you think I-beams are the same as regular standard beams, you are right. As steel structure fabricators, we can certify that they are synonymous. As for their flanges, they are typically narrower when compared to those of W-beams. In fact, what gives them their signature I-shape is the thinness of their webs in relation to their height.
Lighter in weight than their wide-flanged counterparts, I-beams are relatively easy to handle and can be used for small-sized projects. Even mid-sized projects do well with I-beams since they offer great performance in vertical loading scenarios. However, if your project demands torsional or lateral forces, you should opt for W-beams. They are more suitable for such instances. That said, if cost and ease of installation are non-negotiables, I-beams can more than serve the purpose with their solid performance and inexpensive price.
Or simply channels. Their C-shaped structure gives them their name. It’s actually a C-shaped cross-section that is made up of two flanges on one side, along with a single web. The result? The lightest and most flexible beam out there that serves a host of different applications.
You can use channel beams for the following structures:
Scoring high on the affordability factor, channels are very easy to fabricate. This makes them ideal for applications that do not require full structural capacity. They work well as secondary supports and can be used to reinforce a structure along with other beams. If you’re planning to add C-channels to your structure, be mindful of where you place them. Putting them in spots with moderate loads and with a lower need for torsional resistance is ideal.
From load-bearing requirements to visual aesthetics, your project will have its unique demands, and that extends to the beams you use. Choosing the wrong beam can pose a safety threat while causing performance issues and increased costs.
That’s why we at Weld Rich and Steel go a step beyond fabrication. We take the time to consult and collaborate with our clients before we can engineer exceptional solutions that sync with the scope and complexity of each project. Contact us and let our expert team guide you towards the correct beam type while delivering precisely fabricated structures for your project.