Wide-flange beams (i.e., W-beam) are a type of structural beam used to support loads across a distance up to about 300 ft. Their basic cross-section profile looks like that of an I-beam, with a long, wide strip of steel called the web, flanked on either long edge by flanges. The width and thickness of these pieces can vary, but the feature that distinguishes a W-beam from an I-beam is that its flanges are uniform thickness and not tapered, as the flanges are in an I-beam. As a result, the flanges on a W-beam are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the web.
The flanges are often the same width as the web, which gives them higher strength than an I-beam with its narrow flanges, so they can carry more weight without bending. This feature, and their robust welded construction, help them distribute weight evenly and reduce mechanical stress on the structural members that support them.
Delta Steel is a leading provider and distributor of structural steel components, including wide-flange beams, for the construction, infrastructure, marine, power, and other industries. Learn more about our selection of wide-flange beams.
Benefits of Wide-Flange Beams
W-beams offer many advantages in applications where high strength and durable support are needed, such as:
- Rigidity. Greater flange width adds stiffness and rigidity across the length of the beam.
- Foundation Support. Because of their increased strength and stability, wide-flange beams create more stable foundation structures that can support heavier loads.
- Safety. These beams contribute to the structural integrity of buildings, bridges, and other structures, so they are safer and more stable.
- Workable Strength. A building’s overall tensile strength can be increased by incorporating w-beams and other high-strength materials like concrete.
- Bend Resistance. The wide flanges on W-beams give them greater resistance against bending forces.
Applications
Wide-flange beams are well-suited to many construction and load-bearing applications that require high strength and rigidity, or that include long spans of loading, such as:
- Buildings and Towers. Wide-flange beams provide greater potential strength and durability for a building’s foundations, as well as throughout the building itself. They are often used as a primary structural material for large commercial or industrial buildings like hospitals, warehouses, or schools.
- Bridges. Railway and highway bridge construction often requires wide-flange beams to support bridge decking and span long distances between abutments/piers.
- Industrial Construction. Many factories and industrial companies require structures capable of supporting heavy equipment, making optimum weight distribution and high strength-to-weight ratios essential.
- Offshore Construction. Wide-flange beams are also ideal for oil rigs, wind turbines, and other offshore structures that must withstand extreme loads and harsh ambient conditions, wind and wave pressure, and vibrations.
- Infrastructure. Civil engineering projects like dams, tunnels, and canals require maximum strength and weight distribution to provide greater structural stability and support.
- Automotive Manufacturers. Wide-flange beams are used in vehicle and automotive assembly lines and work cells to support vehicle assemblies.
Specifications
Wide-flange beams can be fabricated in a range of web and flange widths and thicknesses, to support a range of applications. Delta Steel carries a comprehensive selection of sizes, ranging from W4 x 13 to W44 x 335 and lengths up to 70 ft. To help limit excess scrap and material costs, our team will work with you to determine the best size beams for your needs, taking into account:
- Weight Per Foot
- Section Depth
- Flange Width
- Flange Thickness
- Web Thickness
Wide-Flange Beams at Delta Steel
Wide-flange beams are a high-strength, longer-range option for structural support instead of I-beams in many applications. Along with W-beams, Delta Steel distributes many structural steel products, including tube, plate, angles, channels, sheets, and pipe, as well as solar panel mounts and merchant bars. We also offer CNC machining and forming services for our products, including cambering, drilling, forming, milling, plate burning, robotic coping, saw cutting, and T-splitting.
Contact us to learn more about our selection of wide-flange beams, or request a quote to discuss your project requirements in detail.
Standards
ASTM A36
Standard specification for carbon structural steel. This specification covers shapes of structural quality for use in riveted, bolted, or welded construction of bridges and buildings, and for general structural purposes. Learn More+
ASTM A709
Standard specification for carbon and high-strength low-alloy shapes. This specification covers shapes, and bars intended for use in bridges. Seven grades are available in four yield strengths. Learn More+
ASTM A572
Standard specification for high-strength low-alloy structural steel. This specification covers five grades of high-strength low-alloy shapes intended for riveted, bolted, or welded construction of bridges, or for other construction applications. Learn More+
ASTM A992
Standard specification for steel for structural shapes for use in building framing. This specification covers rolled shapes for use in building framing or bridges, or for general structural purposes. Learn More+
ASTM A588
Standard specification for high-strength low-alloy structural steel. This specification covers shapes for welded, riveted, or bolted construction but intended primarily for use in welded bridges and buildings where savings in weight or added durability is important. The atmospheric corrosion resistance of this steel in most environments is substantially better than that of carbon steels with or without copper addition. Learn More+