Which is the right Beam Design for your Building Construction?

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