What Is a Wide Flange Beam?

Tips & Advice

Wide flange beams are a type of support material commonly used in the construction of homes, commercial buildings, floors, roofs, bridges, highway ramps and overpasses. Typical applications include temporary support work, structural foundations and retention walls.

Wide flange beams include a central web that connects two parallel end units, known as “flanges.” While the flanges in a standard beam are relatively narrow, those in a wide flange are much broader, sometimes even equal in length to the height of the web.

Wide flange beams have high loadbearing capacity while also being light in weight, which is what makes them a popular choice in construction and foundation projects.

The Differences Between Wide Flange Beams and I-Beams

Wide flange beams and the traditional I-beams differ in shape. Wide flange beams resemble an “H,” meaning that the flanges are about the length of the web height. I-beams, on the other hand, more closely resemble the letter “I,” where the flanges are shorter than the web height.

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

How Wide Flange Beams Are Made

Wide flange beams are manufactured through a process called caliber rolling. First, steel is rolled by caliber rolls in order to create a cross-sectional shape. This process is called “rolling” because the beam blank (the unformed length of steel) is heated and then rolled out, similar to how dough is rolled with a rolling pin.

After caliber rolling, the beam is fed through a universal mill for finetuning. Within the universal mill, there H-rolls and V-rolls that are moved horizontally and vertically along the beam, ensuring that the beam stays in place while forming the steel into the H-shape.

The H-shaped cross-section is fully formed when the material passes through the universal mill. The beam can also be fed through an edging mill to adjust the flange widths.

Materials Used to Make Wide Flange Beams

Steel is the most common material used to make wide flange beams. 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.

Wide Flange Beam Capacity

Wide flange beams range in weight bearing capacity from nine pounds per foot all the way above 350+ pounds per foot. When looking at the best beam size for any project, it’s important to consider the force that will be applied to be beam, the weight the beam will carry, and the tension and compression the beam will undergo. Smaller beams work well when the pressure and weight is minimal, while larger, thicker beams should be used to support structures that bear large amounts of weight.

Custom Rolled vs. Stock Wide Flange Beams

For many projects, standard stock beam sizes will be sufficient, as these cover the need of most projects. 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.

By combining caliber rolling with universal rolling, steel products of non-H shape can also be created, such as sheet piles and rails.

Wide Flange Beams ASTM and Sizes in the U.S.

Wide flange beams are available in eight ASTM standards including:

  • A36

  • A572 Grade 50

  • A588

  • A690

  • A709

  • A913 Grade 50

  • A913 Grade 65

  • A992

The A36 standard has yield strength of 36 ksi and the A572, A588, A690, A709, A913 and A992 have a yield strength of 50 ksi. A913 has a yield strength of 65 ksi.

W-beams

__Common wide flange beam sizes for bridge foundation projects include both large and small beams, which are:

  • 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

  • W18: W18x35, W18x40, W18x46, W18x50, W18x55, W18x60, W18x65, W18x71, W18x76, W18x86, W18x97, W18x106, W18x119, W18x130, W18x143, W18x158, W18x175, W18x192, W18x211, W18x234

  • W21: W21x44, W21x50, W21x57, W21x58, W21x55, W21x62, W21x68, W21x73, W21x83, W21x93, W21x101, W21x111, W21x122, W21x132, W21x147, W21x166, W21x182, W21x201, W21x223, W21x248, W21x275

  • W24: W24x55, W24x62, W24x68, W24x76, W24x84, W24x94, W24x103, W24x204, W24x117, W24x131, W24x146, W24x162, W24x176, W24x192, W24x207, W24x229

  • W27: W27x84, W27x94, W27x102, W27x114, W27x129, W27x146, W27x161, W27x178, W27x194

  • W30: W30x90, W30x99, W30x108, W30x116, W30x124, W30x132, W30x148

  • W33: W33x118, W33x130, W33x141, W33x152, W33x169

  • W36: W36x135, W36x150, W36x160, W36x170, W36x182, W36x194, W36x210, W36x232, W36x256

BUY AND SELL WITH EIFFEL TRADING

Have you heard? Eiffel Trading is now offering brand new stock and custom rolled w-beams and h-pile! Our inventory is well-priced and nation-wide.

All of our listings are constantly being updated, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, create a wanted listing for free.

Ready to sell your used heavy equipment or construction material? List your products today for free on Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.