Support member

Abstract

A structural support member is disclosed. It has at least two longitudinally extending flanges spaced apart from one another by an assembly comprising a web and at least one reinforcing member. The web comprises at least one wave-shaped web portion arranged perpendicularly to the flanges, and at least one apex of the at least one wave-shaped web portion comprises at least one reinforcing member. The structural support member is typically formed as a beam.

1 . A structural support member comprising at least two longitudinally extending flanges spaced apart from one another by an assembly comprising a web and at least one reinforcing member,
 wherein the web comprises at least one wave-shaped web portion arranged perpendicularly to the flanges, and   wherein at least one apex of the at least one wave-shaped web portion comprises at least one reinforcing member.   
     
     
         2 . A structural support member according to  claim 1 , wherein the structural support member is a beam. 
     
     
         3 . A structural support member according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member is substantially tubular. 
     
     
         4 . A structural support member according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member is at least partially hollow along its length. 
     
     
         5 . A structural support member according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing members are positioned on the inner sides of the apexes of the web, closer to the central axis of the beam and/or flanges. 
     
     
         6 . A structural support member according to  claim 1 , wherein the or each apex encapsulates the reinforcing member. 
     
     
         7 . A structural support member according to  claim 1 , wherein the shape of the wave in the web is substantially symmetrical. 
     
     
         8 . A structural support member according to  claim 1 , wherein the distance between two apexes of the wave forming the web where the apexes are disposed on opposing sides of the flange is between 50-100% of the width of the flanges. 
     
     
         9 . A structural support member according to  claim 1 , wherein the section of the web between each apex is substantially flat or linear. 
     
     
         10 . A structural support member according to  claim 2 , wherein a portion of the web at one or both ends extend along the longitudinal axis of the beam. 
     
     
         11 . A structural support member according to  claim 1 , wherein at the contact sites between the or each reinforcing member and the web, the joins between the reinforcing member and the web creates a portion of the assembly with a greater cross-sectional thickness than the web alone. 
     
     
         12 . A structural support member according to  claim 1 , wherein the web comprises cut-out portions. 
     
     
         13 . A structural support member according to  claim 2 , wherein the components of the beam are formed as one integral piece. 
     
     
         14 . A structural support member according to  claim 2 , wherein a beam is formed of several integrally-formed pieces connected together to extend the span of the beam. 
     
     
         15 . A structural support member according to  claim 14 , wherein the components of the beam are formed separately and fixed together. 
     
     
         16 . A structural support member according to  claim 14 , wherein the web is fabricated from multiple modular sections, each comprising one whole apex and two half apexes. 
     
     
         17 . A structural support member according to  claim 3 , wherein the tubular comprises a cylinder and at the locus where the web meets the reinforcing member there is a triangular space formed between the curved side of the cylinder and the flat portion of the web, just before the web begins to curve around the cylinder. 
     
     
         18 . A structural support member according to  claim 14 , wherein larger modular sections of the web are fabricated by zigzag shaped modular sections comprising more than one complete turn. 
     
     
         19 . A structural support member according to  claim 2 , wherein one or more beams are incorporated into modular interlocking sections. 
     
     
         20 . A structural support member according to  claim 19 , wherein the said modular interlocking sections comprise the same or a similar area as shipping containers. 
     
     
         21 . A structural support member according to  claim 19 , wherein the modular interlocking sections are supplied and fitted in modular sections to create the desired size of deck floor sections. 
     
     
         22 . A structural support member according to  claim 19 , wherein the modular interlocking sections comprise the beam according to the invention alternating with a conventional beam to form the overall modular interlocking section.