What is the difference between a beam and

a girder
MUHAMMAD ABBAS MAY 21, 2019 LEAVE A COMMENT

You may hear the words “beam” and “girder” used interchangeably, but there are
significant differences between these two. Understanding how a beam is different from
a girder is a necessary skill for any builder, engineer or construction worker.

Girders are the main horizontal supports of a structure and support smaller beams. All
girders are beams, but not all beams are girders. Here is an overview of the
fundamental differences between these two elements.

Size
Table of Contents
 Size
 Functionality
 Load-Bearing Capabilities
 Fabrication

The main difference between a girder and a beam is the size of the component. In
general, workers in the construction industry refer to large beams as girders.

There are no strict cuts of width, length or weight that decide when a beam is actually a
girder. Instead, builders look mainly at how the component is used. If it is the main
horizontal support in a structure, it is a girder, not a beam.

If it is one of the smallest structural supports, it is a beam. For example, the structural
support of a bridge is usually a beam, while the smaller supports of a residential house
are beams.

The majority of the horizontal supports in large structures are beams due to their
immense sizes.

Functionality
There is no difference between how a beam and a girder behave. Both have the same
objective: to resist the forces by bending. A beam is simply a type of support beam.

It is the main horizontal support of a structure or the large beam that supports smaller
beams. Like the beams, the beams usually have I-shaped cross-sections composed of
two load flanges and a band for stabilization.

Girder can also take a box or Z shape, as well as other shapes. The industry often uses
girders to build bridges, as well as trusses for buildings and other structures.

Load-Bearing Capabilities
Girders carry dynamic loads and rolling loads. This is what makes them preferable for
bridge construction, where the load amount is not constant.
Dynamic loads are those that exert varying amounts of force upon a structure. Dynamic
loads are contrasted with static loads, which exert the same amount of force at all times.

It takes a special kind of beam to withstand dynamic loads with consistent, unfailing
strength. Girder beams have the ideal structure and capabilities for withstanding heavy
dynamic loads.

is a primary beam. Its main job is to transfer loads to the columns upon which it rests. A
beam is a secondary beam. Its main job is to transfer its loads to girders, which then
transfer the load to the columns.

Beams bend to accommodate shear stresses, while girders are more stiff to support the
small beams. When differentiating between a beam and a girder, determine the
component’s main job. If it’s to transfer the load to a larger beam, it’s just a beam. If it’s
to transfer the load directly to the columns it sits upon, it’s a girder.

Fabrication
During the design stage of a girder, fabricators must consider requirements such as the
erection of the girders, stability, deck placement sequence, plate sizing, flange sizing,
and welded connections.

Fabricating a beam requires similar considerations but not in the same capacity. For
example, girder fabrication consists of load requirements from smaller beams the girder
will support. Beam fabrication does not.