Steel Beam Application: Sound and Sight Walls

Tips & Advice

Sound and sight walls are non-structural walls that can provide a barrier for sight and sound pollution, often between a highway and nearby residential or commercial areas. Whether the wall is installed around a business area, near a roadway, or as a privacy fence for nearby residents, steel beam sound and sight walls are durable, easy to install, and aesthetically appealing.

Beam Use

Sound and sight walls are created using a column and panel system made of steel beams (specifically wide flange beams and h-pile beams). Wide flange beams and h-pile include a central web that connects two parallel end units known as “flanges.” Smaller wide flange beams and h-pile beams have high loadbearing capacity while also being light in weight, which is what makes them a popular choice for construction projects such as sound and sight walls.

Materials Used to Make Sound and Sight Wall Beams

Steel is the most common material used to make the wide flange beams used in sound and sight walls. Specifically, carbon structural steel and high-strength, low-alloy structural steel are used. Steel is favored because it’s highly customizable, durable, easy to work with and long lasting.


Steel beams: wide flange, h-oile, and more

Wide Flange Beam Capacity for Sound and Sight Walls

Wide flange beams range in weight bearing capacity from nine pounds per foot all the way above to 350 pounds per foot. Sound and sight walls do not require a high bearing capacity, so smaller beams work well.

Custom Rolled vs. Stock Beams for Sound and Sight Walls

For many sound and sight wall projects, standard stock beam sizes will be sufficient. However, for unique projects, custom rolled beams might be necessary. Typically, it is more expensive to buy custom rolled beams. If adjustments for size need to be made, this is done during the manufacturing process with the universal mill. However, when beams with different web heights and flange widths are to be rolled, rolls made exclusively for these sizes will be employed instead.

Common Sizes for Sound and Sight Wall Beams

Sound and sight walls do not require a high bearing capacity, so small wide flange beams and h-pile beams work well. Common sizes include:


  • W8: W8x18, W8x21, W8x24, W8x28, W8x31, W8x35, W8x40, W8x48, W8x58, W8x67

  • W10: W10x22, W10x26, W10x30, W10x33, W10x39, W10x45, W10x49, W10x54, W10x60, W10x68, W10x77, W10x88, W10x100, W10x112

  • W12: W12x26, W12x30, W12x35, W12x40, W12x45, W12x50, W12x53, W12x58 ,W12x65, W12x72, W12x79, W12x87, W12x96, W12x106, W26x120, W12x136, W12x152, W12x170, W12x190, W12x210, W12x230, W12x252

  • W14: W14x22, W14x26, W14x30, W14x34, W14x38, W14x43, W14x48, W14x53, W14x61, W14x68, W14x74, W14x82, W14x90, W14x99, W14x109, W14x120, W14x132, W14x145, W14x159, W14x176, W14x193, W14x211, W14x233, W14x257, W14x283

  • W16: W16x26, W16x31, W16x36, W16x40, W16x45, W16x50, W16x57, W16x67, W16x77, W16x89, W16x100


  • HP8: HP8x36

  • HP10: HP10x42, HP10x57

  • HP12: HP12x53, HP12x63, HP12x74, HP12x84, HP12x89, HP12x102, HP12x117

  • HP14: HP14x73, HP14x89, HP14x102, HP14x117

  • HP16: HP16x88, HP16x101, HP16x121, HP16x141, HP16x162, HP16x183


W-beams

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