What Types of Beams Are There?
Load-bearing support beams helped build many structures of the ancient world including Roman bridges and Egypt's great pyramids. Depending on many factors, including the amount of weight, soil and wind, different types of beams distribute weight in different ways. Before doing any home building or renovation, determine the best type of beam support to fit the structural needs of your project. Does this Spark an idea?
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Strain & Stress
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A beam is subject to the principals of natural laws of strain -- how much it stretches -- and stress -- how much it pulls. Steel makes the most rigid beams, aluminum beams are more flexible than titanium, and wood beams have the most elasticity. However, any beam will break when an excess amount of pressure is applied. Use the proper material with the correct amount of strain and stress properties to give adequate support for long periods of time.
I-Beam
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Shaped in the form of the letter "I," the I-beam commonly supports floors since it can bear the greatest weight. Also called the "H" beam, it consists of two flat horizontal flanges, one on the top and one on the bottom, that sandwich a vertical beam called the web. The combination of the vertical and horizontal supports equally distribute the weight. Made from steel, I-beams are available in many sizes for residential and commercial projects.
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Cantilever Beam
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Based on torque or turning force and balance, a cantilever beam is supported only on one end. Steel reinforced concrete beams for balconies and bridges use cantilever beams to support the suspended weight. In bridge construction, trusses, triangular frame sections, help reinforce cantilever beams. The Frank Lloyd Wright house, Falling Water, uses cantilever beams to support the weight of balconies suspended over a waterfall.
Flitch Beam
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An economical but strong beam made from alternating panels of wood and steel, Flitch beams help cut construction costs. Often used in residential home building, they can be attached to wood frames with nails or bolts. Lighter than I-beams, Flitch beams provide vertical and horizontal support, but cannot bear as much weight as steel beams.
C-Channel Beam
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Resembling the letter "C" with one side open, the C-channel beam is ideally suited to support walkways, ramps and floors. It is made from galvanized steel and available in different colors to complement an outdoor environment when the beams are exposed, such as in parks. The long-lasting C-Channel beams are resistant to corrosion.
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