Figure 13-13.--Assembly print.
vertical plane. Wide-flange beams are used as beams,
STRUCTURAL STEEL SHAPES
columns, transverse and longitudinal framing, and in
The HT uses standard steel shapes rolled from
other applications where that particular shape is needed.
carbon steel. Figure 13-14 shows four structural steel
shapes commonly used in the construction of ships.
I-Beams
These are the wide-flange beam, the I-beam, the
channel, and the tee-bar. These four shapes are
The I-BEAM can be identified by its cross section,
identified by the nominal depth in inches along the web
which is shaped like the letter I. I-beams are used less
and the weight per foot of length. As an example, "12
frequently than wide-flange beams because
inch WF 27" indicates a wide-flange beam section, 12
wide-flange beams have greater strength and are more
inches deep and weighing 27 pounds per foot.
adaptable than I-beams. You will find I-beams used as
hoist tracks, booms, machinery foundations, and other
Wide-Flanged Beams
similar applications.
The WIDE-FLANGE BEAM is a structural shape
Channel
whose cross section forms the letter H. Wide-flange
beams are the most widely used structural section.
They are designed so that their flanges provide strength
The CHANNEL has a cross section similar to the
in a horizontal plane while the web gives strength in a
letter C. It is especially useful in locations where a
single flat face without protruding flanges on one side
is required. The channel is not very efficient when used
alone as a beam or column. However, you can construct
effective members of channels assembled together with
other structural shapes and then connected by rivets or
welds. Channels are used in the construction of
foundations, storage racks, tables, and other similar
applications.
Tee-Bar
The TEE-BAR is similar to wide-flange beams or
I-beams, but one side lacks the flange. In fact tee-bars
can be manufactured from I-beams or wide-flange
beams by cutting the beam down the middle or
removing one of the flanges. The tee-bar offers the
ideal cross section for stiffeners. The use of tee-bar
Figure 13-14.--Types of structural shapes.
stiffeners is now quite common in the construction of
13-11