The term 'W-beam' stands for 'wide flange' beam, a category that includes the popular I-beam and the steel I-beam.
Just like an I-beam, a steel W-beam also has the 'web' and the 'flanges', making it suitable for bearing heavy loads over large spans.
This is why W-beams, including steel W-beams, are commonly used in large construction projects such as bridges, buildings, and tunnels.
The design of the W-beam closely resembles that of the I-beam, with a key difference being in the width of the flanges. W-beams feature wider flanges, which gives them a slightly different shape and a more substantial bearing surface.
This added surface makes W-beams more resistant to bending, making them an excellent choice for heavy-duty applications.
