Steel Beams: The Backbone of Structural Engineering!

Are you into the construction business and often wonder how the expansive stadiums, high-rise buildings, and elongated bridges stand tall? It is the unwavering strength of structural steel beams that enable these wonders to defy gravity and stand tall. In the field of structural engineering, these steel beams are the backbone of several structures which offer them safety and stability.

Sree Metaliks Ltd. (SML) understands the significance of steel beams and offers the best of them. Over the years, we have emerged as one of the most trusted manufacturers and providers of steel beams for numerous renowned engineers and builders. In this blog, we have curated an all-in-one guide on steel beams to help you learn all about them.

What are Steel Beams?

A steel beam is a significant construction raw material used to provide structural support to concrete structures. These beams are used for their exemplary load-bearing capacity while constructing buildings. Steel beams are also used as the skeletal structure of a bridge to enhance its strength and load-bearing capacity. They are made up of two flanges, which are long steel plates, and these flanges are connected through a perpendicular steel plate known as a web.

With an understanding of steel beams, let's move further in this blog to learn about their advantages.

Advantages of Steel Beams

Steel beams offer some exceptional advantages, as listed below, over other materials like wood and concrete.

Read More: Various Benefits & Advantages Of Steel In Our Lives

Exceptional Strength

The strength-to-weight ratio of steel is high and quite impressive as compared to other construction materials. This ratio empowers the structural steel beams to withstand extensive weight without bending which makes their use vital for the construction of elongated bridges and high-rise buildings.

Fire and Corrosion Resistant

Unlike wood and concrete, steel beams do not rot, deteriorate or corrode. As a result, the lifespan of structures constructed with steel beams have greatly increased lifespans. In addition to their corrosion resistance property, these beams are also highly fire resistant which also strongly enhances the safety of the structure.

Customisable Solutions

Steel beams can be customised easily to suit the requirements and needs of the constructional demands. This flexibility of changing its shape, size etc. is another great advantage of using steel beams in construction.

Weatherproof

The weather proof nature of steel beams is another advantage of these beams that make them durable. These beams have superior resistance to snow, rain and extreme temperatures. Also, they do not succumb to rodent or termite damage, maintaining their strength for the long term.

Enhanced Structural Integrity

'Steel beams are the backbone of structural engineering'. Their advantages adequately justify this statement as these beams have the inherent strength of the alloy which not only enhances the overall integrity of the structure but also results in making it safer and more resilient.

Types of Steel Beams

There are mainly two types of steel beams:

I-Beams

I-Beams, also known as Standard beams, are made up of two flanges (horizontal plates) connected with a web (vertical plate). The edges of Standard beams are tapered. These beams are known as I-beams because, when viewed cross-sectionally, they appear to be in the shape of a capital I, as the height of the web is more than the width of the flanges.

H-Beams

H-beams are the other type of metal beams and are also known as a Wide flange. H-beams have flanges longer than the web, making the shape of a capital H when viewed cross-sectionally. Also, the edges of these beams are square and thicker than I-beams. There Is an arrangement of flanges and web in both H and I-beams. It is their length and shape that differentiates them.

Equipped with the knowledge of different types of metal beams and their benefits, let us now continue to learn about their production process.

Steel Beams Production Process

The production process for both kinds of steel beams is the same. They are made by a hot rolling steel method that involves heating the base steel sheet and passing it through the automated mechanical rolls to form a rough beam shape. The rolled steel then goes through a secondary mill that not only provides it with the final shape but also ensures a fine shape. After this, the steel beams are cut into desired lengths. In addition to the rolling method, H-beams can also be formed using welding. It involves welding the base steel plates that make flanges to those making webs.

Steel Beams Application

Steel beams offer great advantages in the structural engineering realm with their stability and structural integrity. They are used in the following applications:

• Steel beams are highly appreciated for their strength and are therefore commonly used to support structures, enhancing their stability and safety which would not be the same without their use. As they empower engineers to ensure stability and safety with minimal usage of material, steel beams are known to be one of the most cost-efficient construction materials.
• Both kinds of beams are used for multiple roles and can be customised in different shapes and sizes based on specific construction needs.
• I-beams are typically used as horizontal load bearers as they have tapered edges. These edges empower them to transfer heavy loads.
• With their thick flanges, H-beams can be customised into longer and wider beams to carry great loads. Also, their square edges make it easy to weld other plates or beams to their end, making them efficient vertical load members.
• The durability and strength of steel beams make them efficient to be used in any construction structure, whether it is a stadium, bridge, building, hangar or warehouse.

Summing Up

To sum up we can say that steel beams offer exceptional structural integrity to any construction unit that they are used in. From versatility to resilience, several factors make these elements extremely useful to provide structural strength in the construction industry, be it buildings, bridges, stadiums or any other units. At Sree Metaliks, we take pride in offering the highest quality steel beams, manufactured with utmost precision. With a commitment to serving the specific needs of our clients, we also provide customised sizes and shapes of structural beams.