Which metal should you use to open a load-bearing wall?
WHICH METAL TO USE TO OPEN A LOAD-BEARING WALL, STRENGTHEN THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE, REINFORCE THE FLOOR AND, MORE BROADLY, FOR ALL STEEL STRUCTURES IN THE BUILDING SECTOR?
Need something new, more space, beautiful natural light in your home? These transformations sometimes require major work affecting the structure of your home, such as opening a floor to install a staircase or a load-bearing wall to rearrange the space or create an opening to increase the light. Specialized in the demolition and creation of openings in load-bearing walls, cross walls and stairwell floor openings, OMPT GROUPE provides the solution with suitable steel structures.
Building professionals for work with complete peace of mind
A team of building professionals can carry out the alterations you dream of in your house or apartment. OMPT GROUPE guarantees quality work that respects safety rules. We work with suitable materials that comply with the relevant standards. For opening a load-bearing wall, strengthening the supporting structure with steel, or reinforcing a floor, each transformation requires specific beams and metal to guarantee the solidity of the work.
The preliminary study carried out by a structural engineering office (BET) will determine the beams needed and the suitable materials, depending on the home, its structure and the type of transformation you want.
Steel quality that meets European standards
Used in every field, from industry to retail, steel beams are indispensable to the building sector. Many materials can be used and are selected for their strength and durability. Of all these materials, the various grades of steel can meet the needs of even the most demanding projects. Compared with carbon steel, aluminum or copper, stainless steel offers the advantage of durability and flexibility. In addition to fast, low-cost production, stainless steel is infinitely recyclable. It also has excellent corrosion resistance.
Depending on its composition, stainless steel falls into different families that determine its uses. The austenitic grades 304, 304L, 316, 316L and 316Ti (1.4571), in accordance with standard EN 10088-3:1D, make up most of the stainless steel grades needed for steel structures in buildings. These many grades allow stainless steel to suit every project, in terms of material and construction style as well as in every geographic area where it is built.
All stainless steel sections have the advantage that they can be assembled (welded or bolted) or hot-produced (hot-rolled or extruded).
To meet the needs of steel construction in the building sector, beams exist in different shapes, sizes and strengths. All beams consist of a web, which is the vertical middle part, and flanges, which are the lower and upper horizontal parts.
I-shaped beams: IPN and IPE
The IPN, or "standard I-section", is the best-known beam and is intended to support the weight of the floor above. This I-shaped section with sloped flanges exists in different materials, steel, stainless steel, glass or wood, to suit every type of construction. The IPN has a 14% slope towards the edges. Its dimensions are standardized. Its height ranges from 80 mm to 600 mm. Its height is twice its width. Standards NF EN 10024 and NF A45-209 set the IPN's tolerance and characteristics respectively.
This section can be used vertically or horizontally in construction, for steel strengthening of a load-bearing wall, and for reinforcing ceilings or floors. This beam can carry a large load. A load calculation will determine which IPN to install depending on the planned transformation.
Another I-shaped beam available is the IPE. Unlike the IPN, its flanges are parallel, which makes this section easier to assemble. Although lighter, the IPE nevertheless offers greater strength. Its dimensions are standardized under EN 10365. Standard EN 10034:1993 specifies its tolerance.
More commonly used in its standard version, the IPE also exists as a lighter section, IPE AAAA to A, or a heavier one such as the IPE O.
There are also IAP, IAO and IPER sections, but these are only found in special cases, notably very old buildings.
U-shaped beams: UPN, UPE and UPA
On the same principle, UPN, UPE and UPA are hot-rolled U-shaped beams. They comply with standard EN 10365, and their tolerance must comply with standard EN 10279: 2000.
With standardized dimensions in accordance with EN 10365, their height is 80 to 400 mm. These beams are also distinguished by their flanges. UPE sections are U-channels with parallel flanges, as opposed to standard European U-channels with sloped flanges.
With wider flanges than UPN, UPE sections are also thinner, while keeping the same qualities and strength. This section therefore lightens the structure, which is a significant advantage depending on the type of construction.
UPE beams are also easy to assemble thanks to their parallel flanges, just like the IPE. In fact, UPE and IPE dimensions match perfectly.
The UPA is another alternative in the U-channel group. Like the UPE, its flanges are parallel, but the flanges and webs are of equal thickness. Although UPA sections offer lower strength, they are an interesting alternative thanks to their lower weight and many possible uses. In addition, with a more attractive cost, and as with all U sections, the parallel flanges make assembly easier.
European wide-flange beams, known as HE: HEB, HEA and HEM
European wide-flange beams, known as HE, come in a wide range of widths and thicknesses. Used in different sectors, they play a large part in building steel structures.
HE beams include three families of hot-rolled beams, which differ mainly in thickness: HEB, HEA and HEM.
H-shaped or wide-flange I-shaped beams, HEB, come in precise dimensions of storey height, section and width. HEA beams are distinguished by a reduced thickness of web and flanges, and also by height. HEM beams are slightly thicker than HEB.
Standards EN 10365 and EN 10034:1993 define their dimensions and tolerances respectively
T-shaped sections: T and TB
T-shaped sections with equal, parallel flanges can be assembled by welding or bolting. These sections can also be hot-produced (hot-rolled or extruded). Standard EN 10055 defines their dimensions and tolerances.
T-shaped sections with unequal, parallel flanges are called TB. In these sections, the flange is always longer than the web.
Angles
Equal or unequal angles are L-shaped. They have parallel flanges and dimensions that comply with standard EN 10056-1 (1998). Their tolerances are defined by standard EN 10056-2 (1993). Welded or assembled, they offer very high strength. They have many uses across many sectors. In construction, they help reinforce steel structures.
To guide you through this wide choice of metal sections, we invite you to contact our company for more details and information on your project to demolish or strengthen a load-bearing wall, and to request a free, no-obligation quote.
We are here to help. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us.