2.2. Steel Beams

Wide-flange steel sections are capable of spanning up to 21 m with a depth of 1120 mm. More structurally efficient wide-flange (W) shapes have largely superseded the classic beam (S) shapes

Deeper sections for longer spans are possible by fabricating plate girders built up from steel plates and sections welded together to create the equivalent of a rolled beam.

Castellated beams are fabricated by building the web of a wide-flange section with a lengthwise zigzag cut, then welding both halves together at the peaks, thus increasing its without increasing its weight.