What Size is a 6” Column?
Understanding Structural Column Types and Sizing
When it comes to industrial and commercial construction, steel columns provide the strength and load-bearing capacity needed for everything from warehouses to manufacturing plants. However, not all steel columns are the same. The type of column used in a structure depends on factors such as load requirements, space constraints, and cost efficiency.
There are three primary types of steel columns used in industrial buildings:
Wide-Flange (W-Beam) Columns
These are the most commonly used steel columns in industrial and commercial applications. With their "I" or "H" shape, wide-flange beams offer excellent load-bearing capacity, making them the preferred choice for vertical support structures. Their wider flanges provide greater stability and allow for better distribution of weight, making them ideal for high-load environments like warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing plants.
Hollow Structural Sections (HSS) Columns
HSS columns are tubular steel sections, available in square, rectangular, and round shapes. While they are often used for architectural or aesthetic purposes, their closed shape makes them particularly useful in applications where torsional resistance (resistance to twisting) is required. However, in heavy load-bearing applications, they are less common than W-beams.
I-Beams (S-Shaped Beams)
Traditional I-beams, sometimes called S-beams, have narrower flanges than W-beams, making them less efficient at handling heavy vertical loads. While they are still used in some applications, W-beams have largely replaced I-beams in modern industrial construction due to better strength-to-weight ratios and increased availability.
While each of these column types has its place in construction, wide-flange (W) beams are by far the most common choice for vertical columns due to their strength, availability, and ability to handle heavy loads efficiently.
Sizing of W-Beam Columns
The dimensions of W-beam columns are determined by their load-bearing requirements, which dictate the beam’s depth, flange width, and thickness. Below is a table illustrating the actual dimensions for nominal 6” and 8” W-beams:
The designations (e.g., W4x13) indicate the nominal depth and weight per foot of the beam.
Compatibility with Our Column Protectors
As you can see from the sample table above and 8” beam is rarely exactly 8”. That’s why we build our 6” and 8” padded column protectors 0.3” oversize.
Our column protectors are designed to fit columns with actual flange widths up to 6.3” and 8.3”. Based on the dimensions in the table above, our protectors effectively accommodate almost every size of 6” and 8” steel column in use in the US today.
By offering these standard sizes, we ensure that our protectors fit securely, providing optimal impact resistance and safeguarding structural columns against heavy machinery and environmental stressors.
Conclusion
Understanding the different types of steel columns and their specific dimensions is essential for selecting the right protective measures.
W-beams are the most commonly used columns in industrial construction.
Column sizes vary based on load-bearing needs, requiring precise protection.
Our column protectors fit most standard W-beam sizes, ensuring maximum impact absorption.
For more information on selecting the right column protectors for your needs, feel free to contact us.
Need a custom size? Contact us today
Sources & References
1.American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) – Steel Construction Manual, 15th Edition www.aisc.org
2. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) – ASTM A992 / A992M – Standard Specification for Structural Steel Shapes www.astm.org
3.National Association of Steel Pipe Distributors (NASPD) – Structural Steel Beam Sizing Guide www.naspd.com