Flitch beam
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 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 plate(s) within the beam are known as flitch plates.
[edit] Advantages
Because flitch beams are significantly stronger than wood alone, they:
- require less depth than a wood-only beam of the same strength
- are much lighter than a steel beam of the same size
- can still be attached (e.g. nailed) to the rest of a wooden structure
Flitch beams can also be created from existing in-situ joists or beams permitting easier renovations.
