Steel beams and related assemblies and methods

Abstract

A stainless steel beam includes first and second substantially parallel plates, first and second substantially parallel webs extending between the first and second plates, and a plurality of laser-fused welds connecting the first and second plates with the first and second webs. A platform assembly includes a first steel beam having first and second substantially parallel plates with a first web extending therebetween and a first sidewall extending from a first edge of the first plate away from the second plate, and concrete overlying the first plate and abutting the first sidewall.

1 . A stainless steel beam comprising:
 first and second substantially parallel plates;   first and second substantially parallel webs extending between the first and second plates; and   a plurality of laser-fused welds connecting the first and second plates with the first and second webs.   
   
   
       2 . The beam of  claim 1 , wherein the first plate is substantially wider than the second plate. 
   
   
       3 . The beam of  claim 2 , further comprising a first diagonal web extending from a first edge of the first plate to a first edge of the second plate. 
   
   
       4 . The beam of  claim 3 , further comprising a second diagonal web extending from a second edge of the first plate to a second edge of the second plate. 
   
   
       5 . The beam of  claim 1 , further comprising a first sidewall extending from a first edge of the first plate away from the second plate. 
   
   
       6 . The beam of  claim 5 , further comprising a second sidewall substantially parallel with the first plate and extending from a second edge of the first plate away from the second plate. 
   
   
       7 . The beam of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second sidewalls are substantially parallel with the first and second webs. 
   
   
       8 . The beam of  claim 5 , wherein the first plate is substantially wider than the second plate. 
   
   
       9 . The beam of  claim 5 , further comprising another laser-fused weld connecting the first plate with the first sidewall. 
   
   
       10 . The beam of  claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of rebar connectors connected to the first sidewall by an additional plurality of laser-fused welds. 
   
   
       11 . The beam of  claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of post-holders connected to the first sidewall by an additional plurality of laser-fused welds. 
   
   
       12 . The beam of  claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of shear studs connected to the first plate by additional plurality of laser-fused welds. 
   
   
       13 . A platform assembly comprising:
 a first steel beam having first and second substantially parallel plates with a first web extending therebetween and a first sidewall extending from a first edge of the first plate away from the second plate; and   concrete overlying the first plate and abutting the first sidewall.   
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first beam is stainless steel. 
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein joints connecting the plates, web and sidewall include laser-fused welds. 
   
   
       17 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first beam includes a second sidewall extending from a second edge of the first plate and the concrete also abuts the second sidewall. 
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of shear studs connected to the first plate and embedded in the concrete. 
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of rebar connectors connected to the first sidewall and holding rebar therein, the rebar connectors and the rebar being embedded in the concrete. 
   
   
       20 . The assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a second steel beam having first and second substantially parallel plates with a first web extending therebetween and a first sidewall extending from a first edge of the first plate away from the second plate the second beam being spaced apart from the first beam;   a support plate extending between the first and second beams;   wherein the concrete also overlies the support plate and the first plate of the second beam and also abuts the first sidewall of the second beam.   
   
   
       21 . A method of making a platform assembly with at least one steel beam having first and second substantially parallel plates with a first web extending therebetween and a first sidewall extending from a first edge of the first plate away from the second plate, the method comprising:
 pouring uncured concrete over the first plate using the first sidewall as formwork for pouring;   curing the concrete.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the platform assembly is used in a bridge or walkway. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising placing the beam in a desired final location prior to pouring the uncured concrete. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising placing a support plate between the beam and an additional substantially, similar steel beam and wherein pouring the uncured concrete further includes pouring the uncured concrete over the support plate and the first plate of the additional beam, the first sidewall of the additional beam also being used as formwork. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 making the beam from stainless steel components connected by laser-fueled; and   delivering the beam to a work site.