W Beam: Understanding its Importance and Applications
W Beam is a type of guardrail that is commonly used in highways and other areas where vehicles are expected to travel at high speeds. These guardrails are designed to protect drivers and passengers in the event of an accident, and they are an essential safety feature on roads and highways around the world. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what W Beam is, how it works, and its various applications.
What is W Beam?
W Beam is a type of steel guardrail that is designed to provide a strong, sturdy barrier between vehicles and hazards along the side of the road. It consists of a series of steel posts that are connected by a series of W-shaped steel beams. These beams are designed to absorb the energy of an impact and to redirect the vehicle away from the hazard.
How Does W Beam Work?
When a vehicle strikes the W Beam guardrail, the W-shaped beams are designed to bend and deform, absorbing the energy of the impact. This deformation helps to slow the vehicle down and redirect it away from the hazard. The steel posts that support the guardrail are also designed to bend and deform, further reducing the energy of the impact.
W Beam guardrails are typically installed in sections, with each section consisting of a certain number of steel posts and W-shaped beams. These sections are connected together using bolts and other hardware, and the entire system is anchored to the ground using concrete or other materials.
Applications of W Beam
W Beam guardrails are used in a variety of applications, including:
- Highways and roads: W Beam guardrails are commonly used along highways and roads to protect drivers and passengers from hazards along the side of the road.
- Bridges: W Beam guardrails are often installed on bridges to provide additional protection for drivers and passengers.
- Parking lots: W Beam guardrails are also used in parking lots to protect vehicles from collisions with other vehicles or structures.
- Industrial areas: W Beam guardrails are used in industrial areas to protect workers and equipment from hazards such as heavy machinery.
W beam is a type of hot rolled steel beam with a wide flange shaped like a “W”. The properties of W beam, such as grade, weight, thickness, and country of origin, can vary depending on the specific product and manufacturer. Here is some general information about W beam:
W Beam Grade: W beam is typically made from carbon steel and can be produced in various grades such as ASTM A36, ASTM A572 Grade 50, and ASTM A992.
W Beam Weight: The weight of W beam can vary depending on the size of the beam. For example, a W10x22 beam weighs approximately 22.3 pounds per foot, while a W24x76 beam weighs approximately 76 pounds per foot.
W Beam Thickness: The thickness of the flange and web of W beam can also vary depending on the size of the beam. For example, a W10x22 beam has a flange thickness of 0.455 inches and a web thickness of 0.26 inches, while a W24x76 beam has a flange thickness of 1.065 inches and a web thickness of 0.64 inches.
W Beam Chart: A chart of standard W beam sizes can be found in the ASTM A6/A6M standard specification for structural steel shapes.
| W Beam Size | Flange Width (in) | Flange Thickness (in) | Web Thickness (in) | Weight (lb/ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W4x13 | 4.16 | 0.28 | 0.18 | 13.00 |
| W5x16 | 5.01 | 0.24 | 0.18 | 16.00 |
| W6x9 | 4.00 | 0.23 | 0.13 | 9.00 |
| W6x12 | 4.03 | 0.28 | 0.18 | 12.00 |
| W6x15 | 5.99 | 0.23 | 0.17 | 15.00 |
| W6x16 | 4.04 | 0.345 | 0.24 | 16.30 |
| W6x20 | 6.03 | 0.25 | 0.18 | 20.00 |
| W6x25 | 6.02 | 0.38 | 0.28 | 25.00 |
| W8x10 | 3.95 | 0.19 | 0.13 | 10.00 |
| W8x13 | 4.00 | 0.27 | 0.17 | 13.00 |
| W8x18 | 4.16 | 0.27 | 0.22 | 18.00 |
| W8x21 | 5.15 | 0.23 | 0.16 | 21.00 |
| W8x24 | 4.03 | 0.335 | 0.245 | 24.00 |
| W8x28 | 5.26 | 0.28 | 0.205 | 28.00 |
| W8x31 | 5.29 | 0.335 | 0.26 | 31.00 |
| W8x35 | 5.32 | 0.43 | 0.315 | 35.00 |
| W10x12 | 4.00 | 0.26 | 0.19 | 12.00 |
| W10x15 | 4.01 | 0.3 | 0.22 | 15.00 |
| W10x17 | 4.02 | 0.34 | 0.26 | 17.00 |
Country: W beams are produced in many countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, China, and Europe. The country of origin can be specified by the manufacturer or supplier of the product.
In conclusion, W Beam guardrails are an essential safety feature in highways and other areas where vehicles travel at high speeds. They are designed to absorb the energy of an impact and to redirect the vehicle away from the hazard, reducing the risk of injury or death to drivers and passengers. With its versatility and strength, W Beam is an effective and reliable solution for a variety of applications.
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