Polished beam is a type of beam in which an I-beam is cut longitudinally along its web in a defined pattern.
The goal is to use the cutting pattern to separate the beam and recombine it with a deeper network.
These packages are categorized based on the shape of the holes available in the web section.
Hexagon, round (also known as cell hole), octagon, diamond, etc. are the most common hole shapes.
The polished beams have 1.5 times more depth than the original section, while their weight is almost the same.
Welding square or rectangular plates between the cut halves also creates a deeper cast beam
with octagonal holes in its body.
The history of polished packages
The name cast beam is derived from the Latin word ‘castellatus’ meaning ‘built like a castle which has regular openings in the walls’.
These beams are designed as structural channels to improve the depth and strength of the beam without adding material or weight.
Faced with a steel shortage after World War II,
engineers discovered that cast beams were cheap to build and had an excellent strength-to-weight ratio.
As a result, wooden beams have been the preferred construction solution since the 1950s
and were commonly used in Europe to reduce the cost of steel structures due to their low labor cost to material cost ratio.
Polished beam properties
The characteristics of polished beams are:
1. High efficiency steel
The main property of a polished beam is that we can increase the depth of the beam without increasing its weight.
As a result, polished rafters are highly efficient when it comes to enhancing load-bearing capacity.
And they have 40% more torque tolerance with no added steel.
2. The length of the beam
The beam length can be increased up to 28m making the cast beam ideal for wide span bay designs.
3. Asymmetrical design
The unique split fabrication gives the beam the ability to reduce the weight of the upper half of the beam, thus increasing the load-carrying capacity while reducing the weight of the beam.
4. Other characteristics
- The design and installation of the polished keel is elegantly simple.
- The physical properties of the cast beam can be altered to achieve several goals.
- This beam can be allocated from one section to another; Thus, the cast beam is extremely versatile.
- The weight of the beam can be reduced by up to 40% when compared to the wide flange steel beam.
Advantages of polished packages
The advantages of polished beams are:
- The length of the polished beam can be extended up to 90 feet.
- The castle beam enhances the aesthetic appearance of the structure.
- Natural light is allowed into the structure.
- Cast beams lower the floor-to-floor height as the MEP lines are passed through the web openings.
- Cast beams have higher torque capacity without added steel
- The beam depth can be increased up to 66 inches.
- Installation is quick and easy because the package span is longer.
- The beam is easy to handle due to its light weight
- Cast beam installation cost is 10% lower compared to concrete beam
- Cast beam requires low maintenance
- It has a high stiffness-to-weight ratio
- Reduces floor vibration problems
- The total cost of the structure will be reduced because the polished beams are more economical.
- The crossbar can be designed asymmetrically in case of increased loads
- It can be used in the construction of prestressed and prestressed concrete floors.
Application of polished beams
Molded beams were most popular in parking garages because of their long capabilities.
Nowadays, wooden beams are used in all kinds of floor and roof structures.
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