A wide flange is a structural material known for its ability to withstand bending, despite heavy load application making it ideal for constructing homes, bridges, highway ramps, and overpasses.
Wide flange resembles the shape of a letter I, formed by its two parts: the web and the flanges. Flanges are the steel beams that are parallel to one another, while the web adjoins two flanges.
Wide Flange vs. I-Beam
An I-beam is a lighter material that has a narrower flange compared to the wide flange. While the wide flange is a heavier material that has a wider flange and beam which can carry more weight. The wide flange has no curve inside the flange. The wide flange’s cross section is optimized for distribution, yielding a higher strength-to-weight ratio. It has better mechanical characteristics per unit weight which can help the users save money and time. All these benefits make wide flange a widely used material in building structures.
Uses of wide flange
Wide flange is commonly utilized as a standard material for building columns in commercial and residential buildings. Here are some of its common uses:
– Structural support for bridges and overpasses
– Standard columns in homes and commercial buildings
– Beam and lagging
– Bracing system
Benefits of using a wide flange
Wide flange is widely used in the construction industry due to the following benefits:
1. Weight support
Using a wide flange in construction has become beneficial as it is ideal to carry heavy loads over a wide area. It can support a larger or wider structure with less risk of damage, which makes it more efficient and ideal to support a larger load.
2. Standard Sizing
Wide flanges have a standard specification in any country that allows builders to easily determine what sizes are required in planning and construction. Choosing the right size of wide flange for a project will make the construction time faster and less likely to be delayed due to the sizing issues.
Specifications
There are different sizes available for Wide Flange in 6 and 12 meters length. The size is measured based on the depth of the web, width is measured based on the length of the flange, and the weight is determined by pounds per foot.
The illustration below shows an easier way to measure the size of a wide flange. For example, if there is a requirement of a wide flange 8×4 13#, the depth of the section is 8 inches while the width of the flange is 4 inches, and its weight is 13 pounds per foot.
For more information regarding the sizes that we offer, please feel free to call our sales team at 8588 1155, 0917 808 8528 or 0939 909 0146.
Are you looking for a trusted steel supplier that provides good quality steel products at competitive prices? Contact TKL Steel Corporation, the trusted steel supplier in the industry with over 35 years of experience in valuing the trust of our customers and providing good quality steel products at competitive prices. For inquiries, you may reach us at 0917 808 8528, 0939 909 0146, (02) 8588 1155, email us at sales@tkl.com.ph or send us a message on our official Facebook page www.facebook.com/tklsteelph and our friendly sales associate will assist you with your steel requirements.
Sources:
Davis, M. (n.d.). What is a WIDE Flange Beam & it’s uses? Retrieved October 15, 2020, from http://www.renegadesteel.ca/blog/what-is-a-wide-flange-beam-its-uses
Inc., M. (n.d.). Benefits of wide-flange beams for your residential home build – magna steel sales inc. Retrieved November 24, 2017, from https://connect2local.com/l/213715/c/389796/benefits-of-wide-flange-beams-for-your-residential-home-build#:~:text=Improved%20Weight%20Distribution,without%20the%20risk%20of%20failure
(2021, January 07). H-beam vs i-beam steel (14 difference analysis). Retrieved April 17, 2021, from https://www.machinemfg.com/h-beam-vs-i-beam-steel/
