

CONSOLIDATED STEEL CORPORATION 



77 



SAFE UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED LOADS FOR 

 BETHLEHEM I-BEAMS AND GIRDER BEAMS 



The tables on pages 78-85 and 86-91 give the safe uniformly distributed 

 loads, in tons of 2000 pounds and metric tons of 1000 kilograms, on Bethlehem 

 Beams for a maximum fiber stress of 16,000 pounds per square inch and 1200 

 kilograms per square centimeter. The tabular loads include the weight of the 

 beam, which must be deducted to obtain the net load a beam will support. 



Safe loads for intermediate or heavier weights of beams can be obtained 

 from the separate column of corrections, given for each size, which states the 

 increase in safe load for each pound increase in weight per foot of beam. 



If the load is concentrated at the center of the span, the safe load is one- 

 half the safe uniformly distributed load for the same span. 



The safe loads on short spans may be limited by the shearing strength of 

 the web, instead of by the maximum fiber stress allowed in the flanges. This 

 limit is indicated in the tables by heavy cross lines. The loads given above 

 these lines are greater than the safe crippling strength of the web and must not 

 be used unless the webs are stiffened. In such cases it will generally be advis- 

 able to select a heavier beam with a thicker web. Maximum safe shears for all 

 beam and girder sections are given on pages 128 and 129. 



It is assumed in the tables that the compression flanges of the beams are 

 properly secured against yielding sideways. They should be held in position 

 at distances not exceeding 20 times the width of the flange, otherwise the 

 allowable safe loads must be reduced as per the following table: 



BEAMS UNSUPPORTED SIDEWAYS 



Bethlehem Beams, on account of their much wider flanges, will safely sup- 

 port greater loads than Standard Beams on long spans where the beams are 

 without lateral support. 



