Beam construction is both the method of carrying beams assembled and methods for using these beams to build structures. Although there are several different types of beams, almost all structural beams are made of wood, steel or a combination of the two. The two most common forms of beams are long rectangular boxes, common in wood and composites, and ones shaped like the letter “I”, in common with steel beam construction.
Since the beginning of construction, wood has been a common material used in beam construction. Wood is the most common material used in the construction of residential buildings. There are several types of wooden beams made, but they fall into a few categories.
Standard wood support beams are vertical beams used primarily in houses. These beams are thick, rectangular blocks of wood that support the basic structure of a house. They are in the corners of buildings and in the middle of the house inside the walls, often near doorways. Many houses, especially older ones, have support beams throughout the basement that support the entire structure.
These beams are horizontal and are in the floor and roof of houses. These help spread the weight of the structure above, putting less stress on any part of the house. It is common to see these in older house basements; they are often much thinner than wide as opposed to the horizontal beams, which are generally even large.
Wooden beam construction takes place in one of four ways. Rough-cut timber is common in older houses; these are real trees cut to the shape of the beam and used as it is. Modern beams are generally factory cut and treated. Wooden beams simply processed wood without further modifications. These beams are generally the same as the old coarse-lined ones, only in a newer form.
Composite or laminate beams are made of several smaller beams compressed into a single beam. These beams are stronger and more durable than a regular wooden beam. Steel reinforced beams generally have a steel core through the center and / or a series of metal bands wrapped around the outside. These are common in extremely heavy or high-traffic buildings.
Steel beam construction circles around two types of beam-vertical round beam and I-beam. Vertical round beams are used as an acute beam support in a situation where a building can collapse. These beams were not present when the building was made; they will be added later.
The I-beam has two planar surfaces that are connected to another flat surface, giving the shape of an “I” or “H.” These beams are used in large structures, as steel can hold much more than wood. Unlike wooden beams, there is very little variation in beam construction with I-beams. Whether they are in a wall, floor or foundation of a structure, they are made in the same way.