| There are various kinds of beam designs and | | | | distributed back into the core beams of the |
| materials to choose from when designing a building | | | | structure, permitting a part of the structure to |
| or structure. Structural engineers can choose | | | | extend beyond the supported perimeters of the |
| from different sizes, shapes, construction | | | | structure's foundation. |
| materials and construction technologies. Builders | | | | Flitch Beam Designs |
| and structural engineers can choose from | | | | Flitch beam are composite beams made from |
| following most commonly used design options | | | | layering wood and steel to craft a lightweight |
| when creating a safe structural design. | | | | beam with acceptable strength. The addition of |
| Steel I-Beam Designs | | | | wood components allows the beams to be nailed |
| Steel I-beams are widely accepted choice for | | | | to existing wooden structures. Flitch beams are |
| building construction. I-beam is shaped like a capital | | | | less costly than solid steel beam designs. They |
| I also known as a W shape. The I-beam option is | | | | are used to maintain heavy vertical loads while |
| the most efficient use of structural steel since it | | | | maintaining an exact construction budget. Flitch |
| moves the bulk of the steel into the parts of the | | | | beams are also used to supply additional load |
| beam essentially resisting the loads. The I-beam | | | | carrying capacity to an existing beam. |
| design is the most common foundational beam | | | | Design of Beams vary so greatly that making the |
| design found in commercial structures but can also | | | | right choice when designing a building structure can |
| be used for residential structures. | | | | be challenging. Structural beam design software |
| Cantilever Beam Designs | | | | can help take the guesswork out of the design |
| Cantilever beam designs produce a suspended | | | | process. Structural engineering firms can also help |
| effect. These beams facilitate creation of | | | | decide if the desired design of beam are |
| balconies, bay windows and some bridges. In | | | | appropriate for the structure. |
| cantilever beam option, the weight load is | | | | |