How to Increase Steel I-Beam Strength without Increasing Cost
Steel I-beams are available in different standard sizes. You normally don’t modify its form or shape before using; you just select the correct size steel I-beam and use it for your structure.
But, in this article we will discuss a beam design method for increasing I-beam strength by modifying its shape or form.
A Bit of Basics
If you cut steel I-beam and see its cross section it will look somewhat like below:
The overall nomenclature of the beam is also shown in the above picture.
Steps for Modifying the Beam
- Cut the web area of the beam in a zigzag way through out its length, like shown in the picture below:
The above picture is showing the side view of the I-beam and the red line indicating the line you have to cut (slit) the beam. So, you will get two pieces of the beam after cutting it.
2. Now, you have to weld at the crests of the two pieces. After the welding is done it will look like below:
Please observe that the overall height of the beam is increased after you weld it.
3. Cut the extra projected portions of both the halves of the beam and give it a good looking form like below:
4. The modified I-beam is ready for your structural use now.
5. You might be wondering, how you will get additional strength from this modified beam, to answer your query let’s go to the basic beam deflection equation:
f/(d/2)=M/ I………………….eqn.1
Where**,**
f is the bending stress
M - the moment at the neutral axis
y - the perpendicular distance to the neutral axis
I - the area moment of inertia about the neutral axis.
Now, as you have already observed that in the process of cutting and welding the I-beam, the overall height of the beam has been increased and, as the height of the beam increased, the <strong>area moment of inertia</strong> of the beam is also increased. Thus, from the eqn.1 you can draw the conclusion that the developed bending stress value (f) will decrease with increasing height of the beam, or in other words, the strength of the beam will increase.
Conclusion
As already discussed,the standard steel I beam strength can be increased by the method discussed in this article, but cutting a I beam is not a normal practice and the modified I beam strength depends a lot on the workmanship related to the cutting and welding.So, it is heighly recommended that during the steel I beam design you perform all the related tests as well the FEA so that the I beam does not fail for your application.