Guide to Buying Beam Parts: Comparing Options, Materials and More

Guide to Buying Beam Parts: Comparing Options, Materials and More

What Are the Main Parts of a Beam?

Beams are horizontal structural members that transfer loads laterally across openings and spans. While beams come in many shapes, sizes and materials, they share some common parts and components:

  • Web – The tall, vertical portion of the beam that connects the flanges. The web resists shear forces.
  • Flanges – The wider top and bottom horizontal elements on either side of the web. Flanges resist bending forces.
  • Bearing Plates – Steel plates attached to the ends of beams to distribute loads into columns and walls.
  • Stiffeners – Horizontal plates welded to the beam web. They strengthen the web against buckling.
  • Cleats – Steel connectors bolted or welded to beam ends to facilitate connections.

What Are the Different Types of Beam Parts?

In addition to the main components, there are several other types of beam parts and accessories:

Beam End Parts

  • End Plates – Thicker steel plates welded to beam ends for bolted connections.
  • Shear Tabs – Small steel plates welded to beam webs near ends to resist shear forces.
  • Continuity Plates – Plates welded near beam ends for moment continuity in framing.
  • Cambering Washers – Placed under end bearing plates to introduce an upward camber.

Web Parts

  • Web Penetrations – Openings cut into beam webs for ductwork or piping to pass through.
  • Web Stiffeners – Small steel plates welded to web surfaces for added strength.

Flange Parts

  • Cover Plates – Thicker plates welded to flange surfaces to increase flange thickness.
  • Lacing Bars – Steel bars riveted or bolted to flange edges for compression flange bracing.

What Are the Common Beam Connection Parts?

Proper beam connections are critical for transferring forces correctly. Some common beam connection parts include:

  • Clip Angles – Steel angles bolted to connect beams webs and flanges together.
  • Shear Plates – Thick plates sandwiched between beam webs for shear connections.
  • Double Split Tees – Tees bolted on either side of beam webs for moment connections.
  • Column Stiffeners – Thick plates welded to columns at beam connections.
  • Doubler Plates – Steel plates welded to columns to strengthen beam connections.

What Are Some Accessory Parts for Beams?

Some common accessory parts for beams include:

  • Lateral Braces – Steel angles bolted diagonally to connect compression flanges together.
  • Camber Strips – Steel shims placed on beam bearing seats to introduce camber.
  • Sag Rods – Tension rods connected below bottom flanges to resist deflections.
  • Lift Lugs – Thick steel plates with holes welded to webs for lifting and erection.
  • Diaphragm Connection Plates – Used to connect floor beams to steel decking for composite action.

What Are Some Common Beam Defects to Look For?

It’s important to inspect beams thoroughly and watch for any defects or problems. Some common beam defects include:

  • Cracks or fractures in welds, flanges or web
  • Bends, dents or other deformations
  • Corrosion or section loss, especially at ends and connections
  • Buckled or warped flanges or web
  • Damaged or missing bearing stiffeners
  • Loose or missing bolts in connections

How Do You Determine the Required Size of a Beam?

Properly sizing a beam for an application requires calculating the design loads and spans. The main steps are:

  1. Determine live, dead, wind, seismic and any other loads.
  2. Establish the spans and fixity conditions.
  3. Select a suitable beam material (steel, wood, concrete).
  4. Calculate shear forces and bending moments.
  5. Select a preliminary beam size based on span tables.
  6. Check deflection, shear, bearing, stability and connections.
  7. Iterate with a different beam size if needed.

A structural engineer should perform final beam member sizing and selection using advanced structural analysis software.

What Are Some Tips for Installing Beams Properly?

  • Use bearing plates and shim packs to ensure full contact and even bearing.
  • Allow for temporary bracing and shoring during installation.
  • Make incremental turn-of-nut tightening passes for all bolts.
  • Thoroughly clean and prepare all connection surfaces.
  • Check for proper bolt length, grip and adequate thread engagement.
  • Apply snug-tight standards for pre-tensioning high-strength bolts.
  • Touch up all scuffs, scrapes and welds with zinc-rich primer.

Conclusion

From main components like webs and flanges to end parts, connections and accessories, proper beam parts are critical for performance and safety. Understanding the array of beam elements and hardware allows for informed design decisions and quality installation. With the comprehensive answers provided here, you now have essential knowledge for working with beam parts and components.