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Etobicoke, ON M9C 5H5
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We cannot overlook the importance of beams in different kinds of construction projects including highway overpasses, homes, highrises, and bridges. These beams act as central building components that offer support to the foundation. It is crucial to know the basics of beams, including the types and where each type is used. This guide covers not only the types but also the tips for hiring the right structural beam contractors for installation. Read ahead and be informed!
Structural beams are horizontal in shape and provide stability to the structure. These are made of long-lasting and sturdy materials, including steel and concrete. Structural beams are best known for withstanding diverse loads and forces.
Underpinning is a critical process in foundation repair that involves strengthening and stabilizing existing foundations to ensure the structural integrity of a building. Structural beams have a crucial role to play in different underpinning methods, providing the required support and load transfer capabilities. Let’s delve deep into the importance of structural beams in underpinning and learn about three common underpinning methods that utilize these beams:
This beam and base underpinning technique involves constructing a reinforced concrete beam below, above, or in place of the existing footing. The beam effectively transfers the building’s load to strategically placed concrete bases, ensuring a secure and stable foundation. This method is similar to mass concrete underpinning but is employed when greater depth is required to achieve optimal stability.
Also known as the base and beam method, this technique involves placing reinforced concrete beams to transfer loads to mass concrete bases or piers. This approach provides added stability and support to the foundation, preventing further settlement or damage.
This method involves installing mini-piles on either side of the impacted walls, followed by the removal of brickwork under the wall. Reinforced concrete is then placed in its place, creating a sturdy foundation. The pile and beam method is particularly useful when:
While not directly involving structural beams, resin injection is another effective underpinning technique. This method entails injecting specialized resin into the soil to stabilize and strengthen it, preventing further settlement.
A foundation structure plays a vital role in supporting structural beams by:
Foundations disseminate the weight of the structure across a broad area, preventing soil overload and uneven settlement.
Foundation beams serve as connectors, distributing the structural load to the foundation and preventing differential settlement and tilting caused by concentrated loads.
Foundations anchor the structure to the ground, enhancing stability and protecting against natural forces like earthquakes, floods, droughts, and wind.
Foundations provide a level surface for substructure construction, ensuring a stable base for the entire structure.
Foundations resist and counteract soil movement, mitigating its effects on the structure. The type of foundation used depends on soil characteristics.
Different foundation types suit various projects. For instance:
So, a well-designed foundation structure is essential for supporting structural beams, ensuring the stability, and longevity of a building.
Steel beams are one of the products/ outcomes of rolled steel sections and are highly useful due to their strength and durability. They find their applications in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings quite well. They are also available in different shapes and cut sizes to fulfill the structure requirement, such as I-beams, C-channels, and angle beams. Most of the steel beams are fire-resistant and can be treated with coatings that prolong their useful life.
Lattice beams have slender members which are interconnected as per a lattice pattern. This is commonly employed in long-span structure support such as bridges, industrial buildings, and so on, for reasons of lightness and a high strength-to-weight ratio. Lattice beams are normally of steel or wood and can be designed to carry massive loads with minimal use of materials. They allow flexibility in shape and size, enabling solutions that may be tailored to suit specific structural requirements.
Universal beams also known as UB are a type of I-beams that have been adopted due to their standardized dimensions and properties. They come in different sizes and can be used for a wide range of applications in building frames, floors, and roofs. UB is known because of its strength, good reliability, and ease of fabrication. They are often used in conjunction with other steel sections to create complex structural systems.
Beams that are restrained both at their ends from rotation as well as displacement are called fixed beams. It makes them more rigid and capable of carrying more load as compared to other types of beams. Typically, fixed beams are resorted to in those structures where stability and resistance to deflection are highly required, such as bridges, industrial buildings, and high-rise structures. They are often designed with reinforced connections to ensure proper restraint and to avoid excessive stress concentrations.
Cantilever beams are beams that are supported only at one end and extend outwards into space. They are commonly used in structural elements such as balconies, overhangs, and bridges. These beams can be designed to create interesting architectural features and provide buildings with more space. However, when it comes to stability, the distribution of the load and deflection must be taken into consideration. To compensate for the unsupported length and potential bending stresses, additional steel or concrete is typically added to cantilever beams.
While hiring a beam contractor for structural beam installation, it is important to choose a professional who will be in a position to provide quality work and meet your peculiar needs. Reasons why our contractors are the right fit for structural beam installation
Our contractors hold all the required certifications and licenses to operate in your region. If you are still in doubt, request references from previous clients so you are sure about the quality of work and professionalism from a first-person perspective.
Our contractors will bring the required materials they will be using for the beams. The materials used will be of high quality for durability and structural strength. Additionally, they will have the necessary equipment and machinery to deal with the particular needs of your project.
A good contractor should possess excellent communication skills and keep you updated on everything. Contactors we employ at Rock Bottom Underpinning have excellent communication skills, making it easy for our clients to understand their viewpoints better.
Structural beam installation is a complex project that requires to be handled by a team of professional contractors. We at Rock Bottom Underpinning are committed to providing 100% work satisfaction with exceptional services. Our contractors are fully insured and hold all the necessary licenses. We see your project like it’s ours, making us the go-to option for beam installation.
So, don’t look any further, reach out to us today and get your project handled by experts!
Beams are horizontal members that are designed to support loads and resist bending, while columns are vertical members designed to support loads and resist compressive forces. Both together give stability inside a structure.
The span length, magnitude and distribution of the load, properties of the materials, and architectural considerations are some factors that would determine the type of beam to be used. For example, spans that are longer require deeper beams. Also, for heavier loads, stronger materials or reinforced sections are needed.
Third-party validated designs by a competent structural engineer, with attention to appropriate codes and standards, are what will give you confidence in the structural integrity of your beams. Besides, regular inspections and maintenance show potential issues that need critical attention.
