STRUCTURAL STEEL: THE CORNERSTONE OF MODERN CONSTRUCTION
Structural steel serves as the framework for numerous buildings and structures throughout the UK. Its excellent strength-to-weight ratio, adaptability, and recyclability make it a crucial material in construction. Among the different types of structural steel sections, universal beams, universal columns, and parallel flange channels are essential elements in steel-framed structures.
Here’s everything you need to know about these various types of structural steel.
UNIVERSAL BEAMS (UB)
Universal beams, commonly known as UBs, are I-shaped sections crafted to withstand bending moments. These beams are distinguished by their unique profile, featuring two horizontal components known as flanges, which are linked by a vertical web. The flanges are generally wider than those in universal columns, offering excellent lateral stability and a larger surface area for connections.
UBs serve as the backbone of floor and roof systems in steel-framed structures. Their efficient design allows them to support substantial loads over extended spans, making them perfect for creating open, column-free areas in commercial and industrial buildings. The depth of a UB can vary widely, with deeper sections providing greater load-bearing capacity, albeit with increased weight and cost.
In practice, universal beams are frequently employed in composite construction, where they collaborate with concrete floor slabs to boost overall structural performance. This combination of steel and concrete results in stiffer, stronger floors with reduced vibration characteristics, which is a vital factor in contemporary building design.
UNIVERSAL COLUMNS (UC)
Universal columns, or UCs, have the same I-shaped profile as their beam counterparts but with a key distinction: their width and depth dimensions are almost equal. This nearly square cross-section is optimized for axial compression, making UCs the preferred option for vertical support elements in multi-storey buildings and heavy industrial structures.
The balanced proportions of UCs offer excellent resistance to buckling along both major and minor axes, enabling them to efficiently support substantial vertical loads. In tall buildings, UCs often form part of the primary structural framework, collaborating with beams and bracing systems to counteract lateral forces from wind and seismic activity.
UCs are not confined to purely vertical uses. In certain situations, especially in portal frame structures common in industrial and agricultural buildings, universal columns may be used as inclined members, forming the legs of rigid frames that span large distances without intermediate supports.
PARALLEL FLANGE CHANNELS (PFC)
Parallel flange channels, often referred to as PFCs, are C-shaped sections with parallel inner and outer flange surfaces. This design provides a blend of strength, lightweight construction, and versatility, making PFCs ideal for various structural uses.
In numerous steel-framed structures, PFCs are utilized as secondary beams or purlins, supporting roof or floor decking between main structural components. Their shape facilitates easy connections to other parts and offers excellent torsional rigidity, which is especially advantageous in countering wind uplift forces on roof structures.
PFCs are also highly effective as bracing elements in steel frames, where their open profile allows for simple bolted connections. In façade systems, they can be used as vertical supports for cladding or curtain wall components, taking advantage of their strength and ease of attachment.
COMPOUND SECTIONS
Although universal beams, universal columns, and parallel flange channels are fundamental to many structural steel designs, engineers frequently need to develop more robust or specialized sections to fulfill specific project needs. Compound sections fulfill this requirement by merging two or more standard sections into a single, more effective structural element.
Typical examples include:
Double universal beams: two UBs aligned side by side and joined with plate spacers or continuous welding. This setup greatly enhances the section’s moment of inertia about its strong axis, enabling it to cover longer spans or support heavier loads.
Battened universal columns: several UCs arranged parallel to one another and connected at intervals with batten plates. This configuration improves the column's overall buckling resistance while retaining some constructional benefits of individual sections.
Boxed sections: formed by welding plates to the flanges of UBs or UCs to create a closed, rectangular profile. These sections provide excellent torsional rigidity and are commonly used in transfer structures or heavy industrial applications.
STRUCTURAL STEEL FABRICATORS AND SUPPLIERS
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