Structural Beam With Openings

Abstract

A method of producing a structural beam ( 10 ) with openings located in the web, which comprises the steps of taking a universal beam, making a cut ( 18 ) generally longitudinally along the web thereof, making a second cut ( 20 ) along the web on a path differing from the first path of the first cut, separating the cut halves of the beam, and welding the halves together, characterized in that: a width of material or ribbon ( 28 ) is defined by the two cuts ( 18, 20 ) of amount equal to the desired reduction in depth of the finished cellular beam.

1 . A method of producing a structural beam with openings located in the web, which comprises the steps of taking a universal beam, making a cut generally longitudinally along the web thereof, making a second cut along the web on a path differing from the first path of the first cut, separating the cut halves of the beam, and welding the halves together, characterised in that: 
 a width of material or ribbon is defined by the two cuts of an amount equal to the desired reduction in depth of the finished cellular beam.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the depth of the finished cellular beam is less than that of the universal beam from which it is produced.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the cut along the web can be such that any shape of openings can be obtained.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the cut along the web can be such that any position of openings can be obtained.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the beams are separated and moved longitudinally relative to one another before being welded together.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the two halves of the beam are not moved longitudinally relative to one another before welding.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein two or more universal beams are cut and separated into halves and the halves from different cut universal beams are used to produce asymmetrical cellular beams.  
   
   
       8 . A structural beam prepared by the method of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       9 . A structural beam according to  claim 8 , wherein the depth of the finished cellular beam is less than that of the universal beam from which it is produced.