Buy Flitch Beam
A flitch beam (or flitched beam) is a compound beam used in the construction of houses, decks, and other primarily wood-frame structures. Typically, the flitch beam is made up of a vertical steel plate sandwiched between two wood beams, the three layers being held together with bolts. In that common form it is sometimes referenced as a steel flitch beam. Further alternating layers of wood and steel can be used to produce an even stronger beam. The metal plates within the beam are known as flitch plates.[1] Flitch beams were used as a cost-effective way to strengthen long-span wooden beams, and have been largely supplanted by more recent technology.
buy flitch beam
"Flitch" originally referred to a slab of bacon, which was cut into strips lengthwise.[1] Similarly, a wooden beam was flitched by cutting it lengthwise; one half was then rotated 180 degrees both longitudinally and laterally to ensure that any defects were separated. In the 18th century, before the availability of steel beams, pine beams were flitched with hardwood such as oak.[2]
Additionally, use of this type of beam has greatly declined due to the high cost of labor. Engineered lumber can be cut to length and installed much like sawn lumber; the flitch requires shop fabrication and/or field bolting. This, coupled with a much increased self-weight of the beam (11.4 pounds (5.2 kg) for engineered wood vs. 25.2 pounds (11.4 kg) for a flitch beam), decreases the viability of the system.
Flitch beams are currently mainly used in historic renovations, where they can be used to reinforce aged lumber supports, or for aesthetic purposes, where exposed beams with the appearance of wood and the strength of steel are required. An adaptive use project in the UK, changing stables into offices, required cutting the beam supporting a floor down its entire length, and then inserting a similarly sized steel plate. The resulting flitched beam was then secured with resin and bolts, preserving appearance while providing strength. Flitch beams were used as columns in a two-story new construction. Glulam beams were used to support the second floor and the roof. This allowed the appearance of wooden columns, while providing the necessary strength.[2]
The method for calculating the size of a flitch beam to be used in construction is straightforward, using the transformed-section method. The steel plate is treated as an equally stiff piece of wood, with its width modified by the ratio of their moduli of elasticity. This allows the deflection of the entire beam to be calculated as if it were entirely made up of wood.[4][5][6]
A flitch beam (or flitched beam) is a compound beam used in the construction of houses, decks, and other primarily wood-frame structures. Typically, the flitch beam is made up of a vertical steel plate sandwiched between two wood beams, the three layers being held together with bolts.
you could just bolt a single 9"X15#/ft C channel to the side, that's only 180#, you get the same strength, and better stiffness to boot. Plus, the whole thing is lighter and easier to get into place than just one of the flitch plates.
You have some good points that are worth considering.FYI, the plates only weigh 489# (UGH) but you are right the C 9 x 20 weighs about half that.My calcs show the C 9x20 being equivalent to the two plates I had spec'dThe plates work a bit better since one end of this beam is in a concrete beam pocket and there is room for the plates to slide into the pocket directly.With the C channel I guess I would cut off the flange on that end of the beam abit to fit.Hmmm. worth considering. Thanks for the ideasPS is there any concern with the structural element being off center from the bearing location. EG. the existing wood is bearing the floor joists and the ends and steel is offset by thickeness of the beam??
Considering the challenge of drilling and lining up holes through multiple layers I would skip the extra 2x's and increase the # of bolts. I have installed flitch beams before to engineered specs and I seem to remember they always had a closer specing than what you are using, around 12" centers.But I have never used such thick plate either.I doubt buckling would be a concern.
Many customers come to us wanting to know about the options available for the latest work project on their property. This can be anything from whether or not they should install hardwood doors on their garages, if they want to add a loft space to their created building, or if they would like to make a completely bespoke design. We can even provide advice on the benefits of using either flitch beams or traditional jointing techniques.
At English Heritage Buildings, we have many years of experience in working with timber as a construction material. As such, we pride ourselves on being able to discuss a wide range of design features and building techniques that have wood at their heart, including whether or not flitch beams have more advantages than jointing techniques. We are happy to do this in order to help our customers make the best decision for what they wish to purchase, whether that is a new oak or timber framed building, garage or extension.
The main benefit of using steel flitch beams is that they are lighter and cheaper than pure steel, while also still allowing the builder to fix in surrounding timber framework using either nails or screws. This would save the builder money, while ensuring the strength of their work project is not compromised in any way. Flitch beams can also be made stronger, by adding more timber and steel layers into the design.
The biggest disadvantage to using flitch beams is the high cost of labour involved in their manufacture. The cost is great enough that their use has actually fallen in contemporary construction, with flitch beams mostly only being used for historic renovations (as the beams will reinforce existing lumber supports) and aesthetic purposes. The beams also take a longer time to put together than beams made only from timber, meaning that the amount of time needed to complete a work project will increase.
At English Heritage Buildings, we only ever use traditional jointing techniques to put our solid timber products together for customers. Our method of working has a number of benefits over the use of flitch beams, which we have listed below:
More Efficient: Frames made with traditional jointing techniques are made more efficiently, with close attention to detail that results in a cleaner finish. This also helps to bring about a swift, simple installation that would not be achieved with flitch beams.
Traditional Design: Completely wooden frames have a wide reputation as a classical design, lending an authentic charm to your property that could not be achieved with any other type of beam available.
If you have been looking for a strong, beautiful oak or timber structure to complete the look of your home, get in touch with English Heritage Buildings today. Our products offer all the benefits over flitch beams that are listed above, and we love what we do, so we want you to be able to have the best product available on the market.
We hold a large stock of flitch plate and can cut to your requirements up to a maximum length of 6m. Due to the large amount of stock we hold we are able to offer a fast turnaround for collection and delivery within 2-4 working days, meaning you get the materials you need quickly. Your flitch plate can come ready primed just select the paint yes/no option and once you save this it will enable you to enter the length of flitch plate you require.
Steel Flitch Plates when combined with wood are used to construct Steel Flitch Beams for residential and light commercial construction. They are used similarly to the way that built-up wood girders and headers (wooden beams that span the entirety of the area they are supporting) are used. Mostly, steel flitch beams are used in the construction of various structures that utilize wood such as houses, decks, and roofs. They are especially helpful in renovation projects which aim to build upon aging wood, however, they can be used in a wide variety of construction projects.
There are several different uses for Steel Flitch Plates and Steel Flitch Beams. Steel Flitch Plates and Steel Flitch Beams are very versatile, but are best used in home projects. Firstly, Steel Flitch Beams are advantageous because of their great strength. A flitch beam is better at transferring load over long distances so they are used in those situations such as the construction of a roof. Flitch beams can sustain heavier loads and are much lighter than an all steel beam which makes it the perfect candidate for home projects such as the construction of a roof. The use of steel flitch beams ensures safety. Secondly, an all steel beam would make home projects difficult that already use many wooden beams. With steel flitch plates and beams, it is easy to add onto wooden beams by using bolts and screws. This would not be possible if all steel beams were being used. Another good use of Steel Flitch Beams is in renovation projects because they can help reinforce aging wood and they work with wood very easily. Lastly, they can also be used for aesthetic purposes in renovation projects in which the look of a wooden beam but the strength of a steel beam is required. For example, if a project called for the appearance of wooden beams with the strength of a steel beam, steel flitch beams are perfect at striking this balance.
J.M. Ahle offers high quality steel flitch plates in a variety of sizes and shapes for various uses in the Central New Jersey area. If you would like to buy them or have some questions, please contact us at (732) 238-1700.
At Baker Steel Trading, we are specialists in fabricating structural steel beams of all shapes and sizes. One special product we fabricate frequently, as part of our bespoke structural steel fabrication service, is the flitched steel beam. 041b061a72