Steel I-beams are used as main support beams in buildings due to their ability to handle heavy loads. They have a strong central core capped with flanges on both sides and are available in various lengths and ratings. Steel I-beams are less likely to bend or warp than wood, but can fail catastrophically when exposed to heat. They are created using various fabrication techniques and can be used to replace old structural supports during home remodeling. Professional certification is recommended for construction work involving the removal of structural supports.
A steel I-beam is a type of structural steel joist or beam. I-beams are used as the main support beams in buildings, to ensure that a structure is physically sound. Steel is one of the most common materials used to make I-beams, as it can handle very heavy loads, although other materials, such as aluminum, are sometimes used. Composite I-beams are also available, with layers of other materials covering the exterior of the steel to mask it from something else, such as wood.
The shape of a steel I-beam strongly resembles a capital “I” in cross section, which explains the name. It has a strong central core capped with flanges on both sides. Beams of various lengths are available to suit the needs of your building project, and each beam also carries a rating, indicating how large it is and how much weight it can support. When engineers design a structure, they determine what the load limits of the I-beams used in the structure should be.
There are advantages and disadvantages to using steel I-beams in construction. They are much less likely to bend or warp than wood, allowing builders to use them to create large, open spaces that wouldn’t be possible with ordinary wood beams. Also, a steel beam doesn’t have to be as large as a wooden one bearing the same load, so the support beams in a structure don’t need to be as intrusive. Steel can fail catastrophically when exposed to heat, however, making it necessary to insulate the beam for safety.
Several fabrication techniques are used to create steel I-beams. Many are rolled or extruded, machined on metalworking machinery that creates standardized beams very quickly. Others, sometimes called sheet metal beams, are made by riveting or welding sections of sheet steel together. However, the I-beam will be produced, it will be extremely heavy, and it will require strong workers and specialized equipment to handle.
When a home is being remodeled, steel I-beams can be used to replace old structural supports. When removing structural supports, it’s crucial to know how much weight they are supporting and how they were installed. For this reason, it is highly recommended that homeowners use professionally certified people for construction work that may involve the removal of such supports to ensure they do not compromise the structural integrity of the home.
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