Reinforced concrete beams are placed over an open span to help carry and transfer the loads from slabs, walls and other beams to columns supporting them. The structural beams can be designed as L-shaped, T-shaped, rectangular or square with the main purpose to prevent deflection of a concrete slab when adding brickwork and load on top of it.
We build all our beams on-site and pour them in-situ. First, the reinforcement steel is placed and tied down. Next, the formwork is erected and everything is inspected. Concrete is then poured and given enough time to cure before the formwork is removed. Here are a few examples of the concrete beams we build.
Upstand concrete beams are usually found above the last floor slab of a building or on the edge of slab of a structure like parking garage acting as a barrier and support. With tension from the top, the beam behaves as a T-beam and as a rectangular beam when the tension is from the bottom. Casting the upturn beam might be a challenge as the formwork required to hold the inner beam wall must rest above the not yet cast slab. Contact us today for more information about the upstand beams we construct.
The downstand beam is the most commonly used type of beam in construction. The beams sit at the bottom of a slab making it possible to use the space above. A downstand beam is commonly designed as a T or L beam and can be time-consuming & difficult to construct. Formwork is used to construct the beam and it also gives it a “smooth" off-shutter finish.
Ground beams are usually constructed at foundation level and help with the support of slabs, walls, columns, and brickwork. They are structural elements that transfer the load imposed on it along its length to the endpoints. Beams are generally rectangular or square and can be used on the edge of an in-situ concrete floor slab to form a permanent shutter. They either rest on the ground or are supported by piers on both ends. Extreme Structures has the ability to produce a variety of ground beams that are purposely built on-site and poured in-situ to meet our client’s requirement.
Extreme Structures has the equipment and experience to construct long span reinforced concrete beams. Long-span steel-concrete composite floor beams are widely used in steel-frame buildings because they are a cost-effective means of spanning large open spaces.
According to Engineers Daily, structural designs should be based on the sound application of fundamental principles of reinforced concrete design and knowledgeable use of building codes and standards. However, structural design is ineffective if it is not possible to ensure its proper implementation. The structural engineer has a critical role in communicating the design information to personnel involved in the construction process. In the world of structural engineering, structural drawings and specifications are a critical means of communication between the structural engineer and the contractor. Consequently, the importance of an accurate set of structural drawings that communicate clear and concise information cannot be underestimated.
Extreme Structures can provide you with a competitive quote on any reinforced beam work you have. Our beam construction service includes L-shaped, T-shaped, rectangular and square beams. We also do upstand beams, down stand beams, ground beams, and long-span beams. For pricing please see the “Concrete Beams, Columns & Footing prices” section of our website or give us a call on 082 583 3773 and speak to one of our consultants.