STRUCTURAL SHAPES

 

Types of Structural Shapes

 

      W Shape

      M Shape

      S Shape

      HP Shape

      WT and ST shapes

      Channels

      Angles

      HSS Shapes

      Plates

      Pipes

W-Shapes

 

•         Called the wide flange shapes.

•         W Shapes have essentially parallel inner and outer flange surfaces.

•         Mainly used for columns and beams.

•         For example these members are represented as W10x22 where "W" represents Wide flange,"10" represents approximate beam depth in inches and "22" represents specific weight in lbs i.e.  W10x22 weighs 22lbs/ft.

•         The Maximum length of W-shape as per OSHA need to be 40 feet, any length more than 40 feet needs to be clarified with client.

W-shapes are available from size of W4 to W44

M-Shapes

   M-Shapes are similar to W-shapes but the only difference is that M-shape has narrow flanges.

      The use of these shapes is very limited.         

      M shapes are designated as M12x10 where 12 is nominal depth in inches and 10 is specific weight in lbs/feet. 

S Shape

 

•         These are called as American standard beam,

•         This is the first section rolled in America, but today they are not used for beams and columns,

•         They are used for special applications like Monorail and Crain hoist.

•         It has a slope of approximate 2 on 12 on inner flange.

S-shapes are represented for example as S24x121 where 24 stands for nominal depth and 121 is specific weight in pounds (lbs) per feet

HP Shapes

 

•         This is similar to W-shape the difference is only that the web thickness is equal to flange thickness and the depth and flange width is nominally equal for a given designation.

•         It is mostly used for bearing piles. (Piling in foundation).

•         HP shapes are represented for example as HP14 x117   14 is nominal depth and 117 is specific weight in lbs per feet

WT and ST Shapes

•         WT Shapes :These are half of W sections :

•         ST Shapes: These are half of S section

•         WT shapes are designated for example as WT6x20 where 6 are the nominal depth and 20 represents specific weight in lbs i.e.  WT6x20  weighs 20lbs/ft 

C and MC Shapes Channels

•         C-Shapes are primarily called as American standard channel

•         Channels have a web and two tapering flanges; C shape has slop of 2 on 12 on inner flange surface.

•         Used mainly for stair stringers, platforms and many other miscellaneous locations.

•         MC shapes (Miscellaneous channel shapes is similar to C shape only difference being width of channel and the slope.

Channels are represented for example as C15x50 where 15 is channel depth and 50 is specific weight in pound per feet

L- Shapes (Angles)

•         Angles have horizontal and vertical legs at right angle (90 degree).

•         The legs may be of equal or unequal length.

•         Angles are represented for example as L8x4x1/4 .where 8 and 4 represents length of leg from back of angle and 1/4 represents the angle thickness.

 

HSS Shapes

•         Designated as HSS .its manufactured by electric arc or submerged arc welding

•         Used for aesthetical interest structures also used for columns, beams, bracings and truss components.

•      HSS comes in square, rectangular and circular cross sections.

•      It’s represented for example as HSS 10x12x1/4, where 10 and 12 are the HSS sides and 1/4 is its thickness, all in fractions. Round HSS is designated as HSS10.000x0.500 where 10.000 is  nominal outside diameter in inches and 0.500 is nominal wall thickness, all in 3 decimal places.

 

Plates

•         Plate or bar materials are differentiated by their width         

•         Flat stock with width less than or equal to 8” are called as bar, and more than 8” width are called as plates, Refer Table 2-2 for clear distinguish.

•         Plates are rolled in between horizontal rollers and trimmed to length and width by shearing or thermal cutting on edges.

•         Plate thickness is available in increments of 1/16 up to 3/8”, over 3/8 to 1” thickness available in increments of 1/8 and above 1” thickness plate is available in increments of 1 / 4”.

•         The maximum available plate length is 20’-0” and width is 200 inches.

Plates are designated as PL ½” x4 ½” x 1’-3” where ½ “is the plate thickness, 4 ½” is plate width and 1’-3” is the plate length

Pipes

•         Pipes have essentially round cross sections.

•         Pipes are designated with nominal diameter, for eg Pipe 5 Std. denotes, nominal pipe diameter of 5” and 0.258” wall thickness.

•         Pipes are also designated with weight class as x-strong and xx-strong.

•         Pipes are used for handrails and stair rails.