GB2408524A

GB2408524A - Producing two T, I or H - section beams from one I -section beam

Info

Publication number: GB2408524A
Application number: GB0426131A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Holmes
Original assignee: Westok Ltd
Current assignee: Westok Ltd
Priority date: 2003-11-28
Filing date: 2004-11-29
Publication date: 2005-06-01
Anticipated expiration: 2024-11-29
Also published as: GB2408524B; GB0327894D0; GB0426131D0

Abstract

A method of producing structural T, I, or H - section beams from one I-section beam 10 comprises cutting profiled openings 16, 18 on either side of the centre line 19, cutting along or parallel to the centre line 19, separating the two halves, and welding 21 a plate 22 to each of the cut edges to produce a pair of cellular T, I or H - section beams 20.

Description

STRUCTURAL BEAM WITH OPENINGS

This invention relates to improvements in structural beams of the type having a web located between two flanges, in which the web is not continuous, but has apertures therein.

In our European patent publication number 0324206 there is described a method of s manufacturing such beams, which comprises the steps of taking a universal beam, making a cut generally longitudinally along the web thereof, separating the cut halves of the beam, displacing the halves with respect to one another and welding the halves together, characterized in that: a second cut is made along the web, the path differing from the first path of the first cut, the two paths being defined rectalinear sections lying on alternative sides of a longitudinal centre line of the web and at least partly curvalinear sections joining the closest ends of adjacent rectilinear sections. The use ofthe double cutting approach ofthis publication allows shapes to be produced which were hitherto impossible. In particular, beams can be produced for circular or oval shaped holes, which may be desirable for aesthetic or other reasons.

IS Previous forms of beam, known as castellated beams, produced by a single cut, could only have hexagonally shaped holes. Beams of this general type will hereafter be referred to as "cellular beams".

In mainland Europe, the use of a structural 'T' welded to a horizontal plate to produce a beam Ale. is common practice. However, this is invariably used with an uninterrupted web and the 20. services within a building (water, electricity, etc.) must pass either above or beneath the beam, thus increasing the thickness of "dead" space between floors.

The invention seeks to provide a method of making an improved structural T. I or H-shaped beam. In this specification, a reference to a structural T-shaped beam covers a beam in which a plate is welded to a structural 'T' to produce an I-shaped or H-shaped configuration.

2s References to structural T beams in this specification should be interpreted accordingly.

According to the invention, there is provided a method of producing a structural T, I or H- shaped beam which comprises taking a universal beam, cutting profiled openings on either side of the centre line, cutting along or parallel to the centre line, separating the two halves, and welding a plate to each of the cut edges to produce a pair of cellular beams.

Since the finished cellular beam is produced partly from section and partly from a welded plate, the strength of the finished beam is greater than that of one produced entirely from welded plate, and only half of the welding is involved, rendering the process cheaper. In addition, profiled openings of any desired shape are produced along the web of the beam so that services can be routed through them.

lo Moreover, the profiled openings or some of them may cross the centre line.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I illustrates a universal beam showing cut lines in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; . ë ee

l5. . Figure 2 shows the beam after cutting and welding; .e .... Figure 3 is a sectional view of one form of finished beam; ë-.e Figure 4 is a similar view to figure 3 of another form of finished beam; .

Figure 5 (a) and (b) are similar views to figures 2 and 4 respectively of a second embodiment of the invention; and Figure 6 (a) & (b) are similar views to figure 5 of the other half of the beam.

Referring to the drawings, and in particular Figures 1 to 4, a universal section (extruded) beam generally designated (10) has flanges (12,14) joined by a web. As illustrated in figure 1, a series of circular holes are formed in the web by cutting along the cut lines (16,18) at either side ofthe centre line (19) ofthe beam. The openings in the web may be profiled circular openings or other shaped openings. A further cut is made along the centre line ( l 9). Dotted line ( l 9) shows cutting of an I or H section into two T-shaped components. This then produces two beam halves (20) of depth d/2 where the original beam depth was d. If desired, instead of a single cut (19), parallel cuts can be made either side of the centre line so as to produce two beam halves each of less than depth d/2.

Each half (20) is then welded at (21) to a horizontal plate (22) which may be, and preferably is, of a different thickness and section to that of the flange (12) or (14). The thickness of the lo plate (22) T gives a total beam thickness of d/2 + T. As can be seen from Figures 3 and 4, the plate (22) may form the top or bottom flange, as desired. The finished beam (20) may therefore be symmetric or asymmetric in section, preferably the latter, and the openings may be regular or irregular. If it is desired to omit an opening, this may be done, whereas with a cellular beam according to our European patent publication number 0234206 the only way of accomplishing this was to actually weld an infill into place, which was inconvenient and added to production costs.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated, where the cut lines (16,18) merge and cross the centre line forming semi-circular openings (24,26), , although other shapes could be formed, if desired. As before, the horizontal plate (22) is . welded at (21) to the cut ends (28,30). Compared to a standard welded plate beam, this construction is only 25%-33% of the welding length and is much more economical. Unlike a conventional welded plate beam, the cellular beam of the invention also has numerous web penetrations which can be used to pass bunking and other services through, or to pass reinforcing bars or the like.

Claims

CLAIMS: I. A method of producing a structural T. I or I-l-shaped beam

which comprises taking a universal beam, cutting profiled openings on either side of the centre line, cutting along or parallel to the centre line, separating the two halves, and welding a plate to each of the cut s edges to produce a pair of cellular beams.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein profiled openings of any desired shape are produced along the web of the beam.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein some or all of the profiled openings cross the centre line.

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4. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein parallel cuts are made either side of the centre line so as to produce two beam halves each of less than half the depth of the universal beam.
5. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the plate has a different thickness and section to that of the flange of the universal beam. A. ..
6. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the structural beam is symmetric .. in section. ë..
7. A method according to any of claims I to 5, wherein the structural beam is . asymmetric in section.
8. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the openings are regular.
9. A method according to any of claims I to 7, wherein the openings are irregular.
10. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the cut lines of the profiled openings merge and cross the centre line.
11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the openings are semicircular.
12. A method of producing a structural beam substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
13. A structural beam when prepared by any of the method claims 1 to 12. *. .e ... ... e

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