What Are D-Beams?

Steel is often used as a metaphor for strength or as an adjective to describe the depth and breadth of someone’s resolve. That makes sense because steel is one of the toughest and most-used metals in not only the United States but the world over.

The iron-based metal compound is used in everything from construction to appliances. In construction applications, steel beams are fabricated and cut to fit together to form the skeleton of commercial and residential structures. The most common types of steel beams used in construction are S-beams (standard), W-beams (wide flange) and H-beams (pile).

There are also D-Beams, and that’s what we’ll cover in this article.

The Girder-Slab system

The Girder-Slab system is a construction method used in high-rise commercial and residential buildings. It’s a blend of old and new technology, offering the benefits of both structural steel and flat plate concrete. One of its main advantages is its low floor-to-floor height, which is very desirable in constructing residential high-rise buildings. The key difference in the Girder-Slab system is the implementation of the D-beam.

What are D-beams?

D-beams are the trademark component of the Girder-Slab system. They are specially-constructed steel beams that are designed to support precast hollow-core plank concrete. The structural beams known as D-beams are shallow, crafted from wide-flange beams and immersed in the concrete planks themselves, providing structural reinforcement. This system offers a cleaner build because it greatly reduces (or sometimes completely eliminates) the number of steel beams that extend below the bottom of the plank.

Benefits of implementing D-beams within the Girder-Slab system

The Girder-Slab system has become more prominent because it reduces the amount of time necessary to complete a given construction project. It’s a viable alternative to cast-in-place concrete construction because it uses precast concrete. This means that the concrete structures are formed off-site and are then transported to the site, reducing on-site labor.

The D-beams make it all possible because of their shape and function. They’re cut and prepared off-site and are then shipped to the construction site. The D-beam is shaped like an upside-down T. The flat, bottom portion of the T serves as the base of the floor, and concrete is poured on top. The remaining upright part of the girder is then used in concert with the precast concrete to support the next floor. This integrated design limits the amount of on-site framing required, thus speeding up the construction process.

Why off-site fabrication is such a big advantage

In addition to saving time, the off-site fabrication of both the concrete and steel portions of the Girder-Slab system has other perks too. On work sites, workspace is typically limited. This makes on-site fabrication and cast-in-place concrete that much more difficult to work with. The Girder-Slab system renders the lack of workspace a non-factor because the components are constructed off-site. Also, less on-site construction means less waste. Since you’ll know precisely how much steel and concrete you’ll need (and have the preconstructed pieces), there won’t be as many excess materials that you’ll be forced to clean up.

Call to discuss D-beams and the Girder-Slab system today

Fully comprehending the concept of D-beams and the Girder-Slab system isn’t always simple. If you’d like to discuss the various types of structural beams used in construction, call us at Benchmark Fabricated Steel, where we can help you decide which construction method is best for your commercial or residential project.

Categorised in: Girder-Slab Systems

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