FINAL REVISED EDG Website PDF

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EPIC
L3521:P41
C232:X4121
CI/SfB
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ENGINEERS DESIGN GUIDE
Cellular Beams
INTRODUCTION
Westok &
Cellular Beams
Westok pioneered the use of cellular beams in the early 1990s.
Advisory
Engineering
Services
Westok worked with the Steel Construction Institute to test

cellular beam performance, and to produce design rules and
Free Design Service
design software.
Since then, the SCI/Westok CELLBEAM AutoMate software
has been developed and improved, and remains by far the
UKs most used software for the design of cellular beams.
CELLBEAM AutoMate is the only cellular beam software
written and supported by the SCI.
Westok provides Engineers with free designs for all its beams.
To use this service contact one of Westoks regional Advisory
Engineers, or use the Design Enquiry Forms provided in this
brochure. Design Enquiry Forms can be found in this Guide
as follows:
Primary Floor Beams - pg 20
Cellular beams have been used in over 25 countries. At the time
Secondary Floor Beams - pg 21
of publication manufacturing is carried out in the UK, Europe,
USFB s (Ultra Shallow Floor Beams) - pg 23
the USA, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the United Arab
Roof Beams - pg 33
Emirates. Westok will gladly advise of contact details for each

part of the world.
TM
Copies of Design Enquiry Forms are also available on Westoks

website at www.westok.co.uk - these can be completed and
Cellular beam use in the UK alone comfortably exceeds 25,000

tonnes per year at the time of publication. Worldwide annual
usage exceeds 50,000 tonnes.
submitted to Westok online.

CPD Seminars
Westok Advisory Engineers
In 2006 Westok introduced a new beam - USFB
TM
(Ultra Shallow Floor Beam) - see page 22.
provide CPD seminars covering

all aspects of cellular beam and
USFB design and applications.
TM
To use any of Westoks Advisory Engineering Services
These can be held at Consultants
please contact:
offices on request.
ASD Westok Limited

Charles Roberts Office Park
Charles Street, Horbury Junction
Wakefield
West Yorkshire
WF4 5FH
Tel: 01924 264121
Fax: 01924 280030
Email: info@westok.co.uk
www.westok.co.uk
00
02
Design & Advisory Meetings

Regionally based Westok Advisory Engineers can attend
Engineers offices to help advise on the suitability of cellular
beams and USFB s in specific projects, and provide designs
TM
to the Project Engineer without cost or obligation.
Contents
pages
Cellular
Beams
05
06

07
08
09
What is a Cellular Beam?

SCI Cellular Beam Software / USFB Software
& CellVibe Software
Using CELLBEAM AutoMate
Specifying Cellular Beams
Avoiding Infills to Cells
Floor
Beams
11

12
13
14
16
17

Floor Beams / Asymmetric Beams /

Pre-Cambered Beams
Service Integration
Cell Size & Elongated Openings
Beam Depths
Column-Free Clear Span Floors
Floor Vibration / Natural Frequency /
Floor Response Factor
Car Park
Beams
CONTENTS
18
19
20
21
22
23
04 - 09
Fire Protection
Fire Engineering with Cellular Beams
Design Enquiry Form - Primary Floor Beam
Design Enquiry Form - Secondary Floor Beam
Ultra Shallow Floor Beams - USFB
Design Enquiry Form - USFB
TM
TM
25 Floor Beams in Car Parks
Roof
Beams
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Cellular
Columns
45 Parallel Flanged Columns /

Tapered Columns
Straight Roof Beams

Designing Straight Cellular Roof Beams
Section Properties for Cellular Roof Beams
Spine Beams
Design Enquiry Form - Roof Beam
Curved Beams
Curving Process / Economics / Span Range
Simply Supported Curves
10 - 23
24 - 27
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
Portalised Curved Cellular Beams

Achievable Radii
Reverse or S-Shaped Curves
Tapered Beams & Cantilevers
Tapered Cellular Beams
Cantilever Roof Members
Pitched Roofs Using Tapers
28 - 43
44 - 45
Sustainability
46
International
Markets
47
00
03
CELLULAR
BEAMS
Cellular
Beams
A cellular beam is the modern version of the
traditional castellated beam, but with a far
wider range of applications - for floor beams
in particular.
04
00
What is a Cellular Beam?
CELLULAR
BEAMS
Fig. 1
A Universal Beam or Universal Column is castellated which

results in a beam approximately 40-60% deeper than its
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parent section - see Fig. 1. The exact finished depth, cell

diameter and cell spacing are very flexible. A cellular beam has
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up to two and a half times better section properties than its

parent section. Variations in how the parent sections are cut
allow the following beams to be manufactured:
Beams with
Elongated Openings
Pre-Cambered Beams
Curved Roof Beams
Facing page: City Park, Hove
Tapered Beams
Cellular beam profiling
05
00
CELLULAR
BEAMS
SCI Cellular Beam Software

CELLBEAM AutoMate is the only cellular beam software
written and maintained by the Steel Construction Institute.
It is available free of charge from Westok.
Westoks Advisory Engineers also use the same CELLBEAM
AutoMate software to design cellular beams. Westok has no
access to the source code of the program and SCIs decisions
are final on all aspects of the design rules employed within
CELLBEAM AutoMate.
SCI has embedded several layers of
Help Screens (see above) that detail
the areas of code and formulae used
in the software. There is a full
maintenance agreement in place
with SCI, so any questions arising
may ultimately be answered by SCI.
SCI also maintains a line by line
audit trail as part of its Quality
Assurance. Every change made to
the CELLBEAM AutoMate software
during or after its original writing
can therefore be traced back to
source.
USFB Software &

CellVibe Software
TM
SCI and Westok have also released

software to aid in the design of
USFBs and to analyse the Response
Factor of floors using cellular beams
or USFBs. Please contact Westok for
further details.
Westok CELLBEAM AutoMate is the only cellular beam software written and maintained by the Steel Construction Institute.
06
00
CELLULAR
BEAMS
Using CELLBEAM AutoMate
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Design Enquiry Forms can be found in this Guide as follows:

Primary Floor Beams - pg 20
Westok Design Suite - current at date of publication
Secondary Floor Beams - pg 21

USFBs (Ultra Shallow Floor Beams) - pg 23
As the name suggests, CELLBEAM AutoMate designs the
Roof Beams - pg 33
cellular beam automatically. The Project Engineer inputs loads,

spans and centres, deck type, restraints etc. and is then
Copies of Design Enquiry Forms are also available on Westoks
asked for limits:
website at www.westok.co.uk - these can be completed and
Is a maximum or precise fixed beam depth required?

Is a minimum cell diameter required?
submitted to Westok online.

Advisory Engineers
In addition to Westoks office based design service, regional
Advisory Engineers are available throughout the UK, Northern
Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to attend design meetings
to offer advice on initial concepts or to assist with a full design
service package.
Once answered, the software designs the optimum beam size

within those parameters. The Engineer can either accept the
beam offered, or may choose to further manipulate it.
Links to/from Other Software Packages
Westok is actively improving the ability of CELLBEAM
AutoMate to link directly with other relevant software
packages.
At date of publication CELLBEAM AutoMate can be directly
linked with CSC Building Designer and RAM Structural
System.
For up-to-date information on links to any software package
please consult Westok.
07
00
CELLULAR
BEAMS
Specifying Cellular Beams

Given the flexibility of cellular beam geometry, a tabulated
specification on drawings is the best way of conveying
information to all interested parties.The table shown below is
not the only solution, but is one of the most commonly used
Douglas Car Park, Isle of Man
approaches:
Mark
Section
Reference
Material
Mass
kg/m
Grade
Tee
Depths
mm
732 x 191/229 ACB 90
Top UB 457 x 191 x 67

Btm UB 610 x 229 x 113
90
S355
S355
327.5
404.6
Cell Data
Diam
Pitch
450
650
Structural Fire Data

Section Factor Limiting Flange Limiting Web
(m-1)
Temp C
Temp C
126
617
See page 18
Notation
The standard notation of an asymmetric cellular beam
(ACB) using the above example, is as follows:
a
732 x 191/229 x 90kg/m ACB. S355 (450 @ 650)

732 Depth in mm
191 Top tee flange width
c 229 Bottom tee flange width
d
90 Mass in kg/m
e S355 Steel grade
f 450 Cell diameter in mm
g 650 Cell pitch
a
Valley Park, Leeds
The standard notation of a symmetrical cellular beam

(CUB) is as follows:
a
1160 x 267 x 134kg/m CUB. S355 (800 @ 1000)

1160 Depth in mm
267 Flange Width
c 134 Mass in kg/m
d S355 Steel grade
e 800 Cell diameter in mm
f 1000 Cell pitch
a
Cannon Court, Maidenhead
08
00
650
Avoiding Infills to Cells
CELLULAR
BEAMS
Fig. 2
If your design requires more infilling than suggested below
CB1
please consult Westok. Our Advisory Engineers will help you
CB2
minimise /eliminate infilling.
CB2
CELLBEAM AutoMate already helps minimise infilled cells, but
CB1
following the approach described below will provide a

practical and economical solution for all parties.
In a serviced floor the best approach is to optimise the cell
pitch so that no infills are required for the beams on grid. This
fixes the cell layout for the intermediate beams. The example
Full web post
CB1
Full web post
shown in Fig. 2 is typical, limiting the infills to only two half

cells in every other beam.
For primary beams care should be taken to adopt an efficient
cell pitch. In regular grids the primary cell data can be chosen
infill
CB2
infill
so that all incoming secondary beams land on a web-post,

thereby avoiding infills.
Furthermore, Westok has developed new types of cellular
primary beams that do not require any infilling. Even in
irregular buildings, infills can normally be limited to no more
than an average of one per beam. Please allow Westok to
advise.
Newcastle Car Park
Finsbury Pavement, London
09
00
FLOOR
BEAMS
Floor
Beams
12 to 20 metre clear span floors can
now be built at the same depth and cost
as short spans.
10
FOR WESTOKS FREE DESIGN SERVICE PLEASE USE THE FORMS ON PAGES 20 & 21
Floor Beams
Asymmetric Beams
Cellular beams are most commonly used as floor beams. This
Many composite cellular
enables one or all of the following to be achieved:
beams are designed
FLOOR
BEAMS
asymmetrically -
Long Clear Spans
see Fig. 4. The top
Service Integration
and bottom tees are
Shallow Overall Floor Depths
profiled from different

parent sections, thereby
The decision whether to use cellular floor beams can be easily
optimising the distribution
summarised:
of mass. This is particularly

beneficial in designs predominantly governed by deflection
Span Requirement
or vibration.
Services Requirement
<9m
<12m
>12m
USFB *
Single service opening
Normal/heavy services
No services
TM
Fig. 4
Services
* USFBTM is the new Westok Ultra Shallow Floor Beam, used to produce very
shallow overall floor zones with the concrete contained within the depth of the
steel beam. See page 22.
The optimum floor layout uses cellular floor beams as longspanning secondaries. The primary member could be cellular
or plain, depending on whether services are required in both
directions - See Fig. 3.
Pre-Cambered Beams
Fig. 3
Long span beams often require the specification of costly pre-
Cellular
Cellular
Plain / Cellular
Cellular
cambers. Cellular beams are easily pre-cambered as part of the

manufacturing process without additional cost - see Fig. 5.
Fig. 5
On request, and at no extra cost, Westok is able to offer far

tighter camber tolerances than required by the National
Structural Steelwork Specification (NSSS).
Facing page: Sweet Street, Leeds - 18m clear span
Please consult Westok for specific project requirements.
11
FLOOR
BEAMS
Service Integration
Cellular floor beams are used for their ability to integrate
structure and services. This minimises overall construction
height.
National Assembly for Wales, Merthyr Tydfil
Circular Ducts or Rectangular Ducts?

If the circular openings in the cellular beam are insufficient
for M&E requirements adjacent cells can be opened up to form
Cannon Court, Maidenhead
large, elongated openings. CELLBEAM AutoMate analyses such

elongated openings. Elongated openings near mid-span
seldom require stiffening, but elongations near supports are
more likely to require stiffening. CELLBEAM AutoMate takes
account of this requirement.
Whilst the choice of circular or rectangular ducting has little or
no impact on the cost of the cellular beam, it does have major
Photo courtesy of Arcelor
implications on the overall project cost and long-term

environmental cost:
circular ducting is up to three times more energy efficient
than rectangular ducting *
circular ducting is far cheaper than rectangular ducting
Fischrestaurant, Ewald, Germany
circular ducting is quieter than rectangular ducting

circular ducting is far easier to clean and requires
less frequent cleaning
no impact on the cost of the cellular beam
no impact on the depth of construction
Salford University
* Source: Page 105 - Improving Ductwork. A time for tighter air distribution systems
ISBN 1 902177 10 4 European Commission Directorate General XVII for Energy
Contract No. XVII/4.1031/Z/96-147.
12
FLOOR
BEAMS
Cell Size & Elongated Openings

The choice of cell diameter is very flexible. The only limit
within CELLBEAM AutoMate is that the cell diameter cannot
exceed 80% of the final beam depth.
Using CELLBEAM AutoMate, the Engineer inputs the
minimum diameter required for services (see Fig. 6), or
simply leaves it to the software to choose the optimum should
there be no specific diameter required, eg. for lightly serviced
buildings or car parks (see Car Parks pages 24 to 27).
Fig. 6
When the design has been carried out to the required depth
and cell diameter, the Engineer has the option to open up cells
to provide wider openings for elongated ducts. The software
checks whether stiffening is required, and designs the
Fig. 7
stiffeners - see Fig. 7.
City Park, Hove. Five elongations in each beam. Some required stiffening, others unstiffened.
13
FLOOR
BEAMS
Beam Depths
There is no standard cellular floor beam. The Engineer inputs
the required limits of maximum depth and minimum cell
diameter, and CELLBEAM AutoMate designs the optimum beam
for the loading and layout.
In the absence of any limit imposed by the Engineer the
software designs for pure economy of steel. It is good practice
to allow CELLBEAM AutoMate to design the optimum beam for
pure economy, then re-run shallower options for comparison.
Dolcis House, London - primary beams 620mm but secondaries were more
economical at less than 620mm.
Wm Morrisons HQ, Bradford - all beams fixed to a depth of exactly 600mm.
14
FLOOR
BEAMS
Using CELLBEAM AutoMate, the Engineer has three options

to choose from for the depth of a cellular floor beam Fixed, Maximum or AutoMate.
Fixed Depth
By choosing the Fixed option in CELLBEAM AutoMate and
entering an exact fixed depth, the software designs the most
efficient beam at the exact depth input by the Engineer see Fig. 8.
Fig. 8
Sir John Rogerson Quay, Dublin - all secondary and primary beams exactly
520 mm deep.
Maximum Depth
This option is likely to produce a lighter beam. By selecting the
Maximum option CELLBEAM AutoMate designs the optimum
beam that does not exceed the maximum depth input by the
Engineer - see Fig. 9.
Fig. 9
Haymarket, Belfast - beams limited to a maximum depth of 540mm.

Secondaries slightly shallower than the primaries.
AutoMate Depth
In some cases the Engineer wants the lightest solution,
irrespective of depth. By selecting the AutoMate option,
CELLBEAM AutoMate simply chooses the lightest possible
beam - see Fig. 10.
Fig. 10
Sweet Street, Leeds - 18m span cellular beams, 750mm deep.
15
FLOOR
BEAMS
Column-Free Clear Span Floors

It used to be believed that the more columns in a multi-storey
Even more importantly, the client is presented with a layout
structure the cheaper the build cost. This was consigned to
of total flexibility for tenants not only on day one, but also for
history in the mid 1990s, when study after study and more
future tenants in decades to come. The benefits to the client
importantly, project after project, proved that clear span, column-
of clear span, column-free construction are huge:
free construction produced almost identical initial build costs.

Construction Criteria
Clear Span v Short Span
Depth
Clear span is equal or shallower than short span - see Fig. 11
Speed
With fewer columns and fewer floor beams to erect, clear span floors can be erected almost
twice as quickly as traditional short span frames - see Fig. 12
Foundations
Clear span has fewer columns so fewer foundations, allowing the builder to get out of the ground
sooner. This is especially beneficial in poor or contaminated ground
Overall cost
Equal
Flexibility of use
Clear span offers greater flexibility and more options for current and future occupiers
Sustainability
Clear span buildings will be future proof to changes of tenant/usage, avoiding resource-consuming
demolition and rebuild or refurbishment
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Area completed after 15 pieces erected in a

short-span layout
SERVICES
SERVICES
Short Span
Depth
saving
Clear Span Cellular
Double the area completed after 15 pieces erected

using a clear-span layout
Bishop Auckland Hospital
16
Floor Vibration
Floor Response Factor
When clear-span floors were in their infancy in the early to
However, the SCI Design Guide P354 states that natural
mid-1990s, the initial view was that vibration would often be
frequency is not the most reliable predictor of floor quality.
the governing design criteria. This has since proved not to be
Frequency (the number of times the beam oscillates per second) is
the case. Research and testing has confirmed that clear-span
imperceptible to humans. It is the amplitude that is actually
floors can be of a far superior quality than short-spans.
felt in the form of acceleration. It is possible for a floor with
FLOOR
BEAMS
an acceptable frequency well above 4Hz to produce an

Tests have shown that the vibration performance of composite
unsatisfactory feel, whilst a floor designed below 4Hz can
cellular beams far exceeded the predicted results. Westok has
produce an exceptionally high quality floor. The SCIs published
pioneered the testing of long-span floors. Numerous projects
method in P354 for designing floor quality is to calculate the
in the UK and France have been tested in collaboration with
Response Factor R, which is indirectly proportional to the
the SCI, CTICM and City University. Amongst these tests was
quality of the floor:
Le Colisee II in Paris, with 470mm deep beams spanning 17.1m.
R 8 Suitable for a general office floor

R 4 Highest quality office floor
R 1 Suitable for hospital operating theatres
Le Colisee, France - 17m span with only 470mm beam depth. One of several
floors tested for vibration.
Natural Frequency
Royal Preston Hospital - 17m span floor beams, designed for a floor response
R = 1. Suitable for operating theatres.
CELLBEAM AutoMate allows the Engineer to set an appropriate
CellVibe Software
minimum natural frequency in Hz for individual members as a
SCI has produced the CellVibe software for Westok. The
design parameter.
program calculates the Response Factor for any given floor

area using cellular beams or USFBs. Contact Westok to
receive CellVibe free of charge.
Cannon Court, Maidenhead - 15m span, 530mm deep, carrying 100mm p/c units.
17
FLOOR
BEAMS
Fire Protection
Fire protection of cellular beams using passive materials
such as boards or cementicious sprays can be applied in the
same way as to a plain rolled section. For intumescents, the
ASFP (Association for Specialist Fire Protection) and the
SCI have worked together to establish a thorough system.
Westok cellular beams may be protected by any ASFP
accredited material using the structural failure temperatures
from the CELLBEAM AutoMate software. Alternatively,
ASFP members can refer to their own publications.
CELLBEAM AutoMate software calculates the critical
temperature for the web and bottom flange of the cellular
beam. By stating these critical temperatures on drawings
(see Fig. 13), the Engineer ensures maximum competition
for the fire protection package. Armed with this information,
any fire protection contractor or intumescent manufacturer
is quickly able to calculate their optimum product and correct
coating thickness.
Fig. 14
CELLBEAM AutoMate asks the user for the Building Type,
then uses the appropriate fire load factors in its beam analysis
see Fig. 14.
The fire protection element within CELLBEAM AutoMate
is based on the numerous full-scale fire tests carried out on cellular beams in the UK and France.
Fig. 13
St Vincent Street, Glasgow - conventional fire protection on cellular beams.
18
Finsbury Pavement, London - intumescent protected cellular beams.
FLOOR
BEAMS
Fire Engineering
with Cellular Beams
Various options exist to fire engineer structural frames which
use cellular beams.
Beam Optimisation for Intumescents
In extreme cases it may be beneficial to slightly increase
the steel section if this allows a significantly thinner coat of
intumescent to be used (see photo top right). It is likely that
this will only be viable in 120 minute fire ratings, and in very
lightweight beams with high section factors.
Unprotected Alternate Floor Beams
A relatively new but increasingly popular approach uses the
Robin Hood Airport, Doncaster - the Project Engineer and Westok developed
a design for cellular beams and intumescent paint thickness, to minimise the
overall cost.
method described in SCI publication P288, in which up to

half the number of floor beams can be left unprotected, even
for buildings requiring a 120 minute fire period (see photo
centre right). Long span cellular beams are included in this
approach.
Unprotected Steel Frames
BS5950 Part 8 and DD9999 allow many steel frames
requiring 30 or 45 minutes to be totally designed without
fire protection.
For all of the above please consult Westok for advice
and designs.
Leeds Nuffield Hospital - alternate floor beams were unprotected
Wm Morrisons HQ, Bradford - for quality control the off-site fire protection company used contrasting paint colours to denote the different fire periods within the building.
19
PRIMARY
DESIGN ENQUIRY FORM
CONTACT DETAILS
FLOOR BEAM
Company:
Name:
Address:
Email:
Tel:
Fax:
PROJECT DETAILS
Project Title:
Beam Ref:
LAYOUT
Layout Type: Composite

Span:
Bay Centres:
m Bay Centres:
Side 1
Secondary
Beam Centres:
Building
Type:
Non-Composite
Side 2
(please
tick as
appropriate)
Office
Car Park
Storage
Education
Other
NOTES
Mid Span
Third Points
Quarter Points
Other
INSITU CONCRETE
(please specify in Notes area)
mm
Slab:
Thickness:
Deck Type:
Grade:
Weight:
PC UNITS
LOADING
Note: Exclude self-weight
of deck & slab
N/mm2
Normal
Thickness:
Lightweight
mm
Mass:
kN/m2
Live:
kN/m2
Partitions:
kN/m2
Ceiling & Services:
kN/m2
Other:
kN/m2
Maximum Beam Depth:
mm
Minimum Cell Diameter:
mm
* Natural Frequency:
Hz
Live Load Deflection:
mm
unfactored
unfactored
unfactored
unfactored
LIMITS
Top Mesh:
leave blank if no limit
*unless otherwise instructed

4.0 Hz for offices &
3.0 Hz for car parks
DEFLECTION:
DEFLECTION DUE TO DEAD-LOAD SHOULD NOT
BE A CRITICAL FACTOR, AS CELLULAR BEAMS CAN
BE PRE-CAMBERED WITHOUT COST.
20
PLEASE PHOTOCOPY THIS FORM & FAX YOUR ENQUIRY TO WESTOK: 01924 280030
SECONDARY
DESIGN ENQUIRY FORM
CONTACT DETAILS
FLOOR BEAM
Company:
Name:
Address:
Email:
Tel :
Fax:
PROJECT DETAILS
Project Title:
Beam Ref:
LAYOUT
Span:
Building
Type:
(please
tick as
appropriate)
NOTES
Non-Composite
Layout Type: Composite

m
Centres:
mm
Top Mesh:
Office
Storage
Car Park
Education
Other
INSITU CONCRETE
Slab:
Thickness:
Deck Type:
Grade:
Weight:
PC UNITS
LOADING
of deck & slab
N/mm2
Normal
Thickness:
mm
Mass:
kN/m2
Live:
kN/m2
Partitions:
kN/m2
Ceiling & Services:
kN/m2
Other:
kN/m2
Maximum Beam Depth:
mm
mm
* Natural Frequency:
Hz
mm
unfactored
unfactored
unfactored
unfactored
LIMITS
Lightweight
* unless otherwise instructed

4.0 Hz for offices &
3.0 Hz for car parks
DEFLECTION:
BE A CRITICAL FACTOR, AS CELLULAR BEAMS CAN
21
FLOOR
BEAMS
Ultra Shallow Floor Beams - USFB
TM
A tried and tested method of construction in the UK and

elsewhere is to combine the concrete slab within the depth of
the steel beam in order to create extremely shallow or slim
floor construction.
Westok USFB (Ultra Shallow Floor Beam) is the most flexible
TM
Bristol Paediatric Unit - beam depth 320mm, span 7.2m, load 7.5kN/m2 + heavy
point load.
and practical approach to this type of construction.

USFB s can be pre-cambered at no additional cost and
TM
There is no standard beam size or depth. Each design is
without impact on the already short lead time. The beams are
carried out to achieve the exact depth required by the Engineer
manufactured from ex-stock steel, ensuring that the supply of
or client. There is no incremental increase in beam depth. If a
steelwork does not compromise the critical path.
depth of (say) 193mm is required, Westok Advisory Engineers

will design a beam to exactly 193mm etc.
A separate USFB Design Guide and USFB AutoMate software

TM
TM
is available from Westok.

USFB s comprise pronounced asymmetric cellular tees, to
TM
provide a wide bearing for either pre-cast units (a minimum

75mm bearing is used in Westoks designs unless requested
otherwise) or a profiled metal deck (minimum 50mm bearing
offered). Cells along the length of the beam allow the passage
of rebar to tie the slabs either side of the web - see Fig. 15.
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FOR WESTOKS FREE DESIGN SERVICE PLEASE USE THE FORM ON THE OPPOSITE PAGE
ULTRA SHALLOW FLOOR BEAM
DESIGN ENQUIRY FORM
CONTACT DETAILS
USFB
TM
Company:
Name:
Address:
Email:
Tel:
Fax:
PROJECT DETAILS
Project Title:
Beam Ref:
LAYOUT
INSITU CONCRETE
Span:
Distance to adjacent beam LHS:
Distance to adjacent beam RHS:
mm
Slab:
Weight:
PC UNITS
LOADING
of deck & slab
Top Mesh:
Thickness:
Deck Type:
Grade:
N/mm2
Normal
Lightweight
Thickness:
mm
Mass:
kN/m2
Structural
Topping
Thickness:
mm
Mass:
kN/m2
Live:
kN/m2
Partitions:
kN/m2
Ceiling & Services:
kN/m2
Other:
kN/m2
unfactored
unfactored
unfactored
unfactored
LIMITS
NOTES
EITHER
Maximum Depth D1:
mm
OR
Maximum Depth D2:
mm
* unless otherwise * Bearing Dimension X:
mm
Min. Natural Frequency
Hz
mm
instructed
we will assume
min. 75mm Precast,
or
min. 50mm Insitu
ULTRA SHALLOW FLOOR BEAM - USFB
TM
DEFLECTION:
BE A CRITICAL FACTOR, AS USFB s CAN
D1
D2
TM
23
CAR PARK
BEAMS
Car Park
Beams
Above and beyond any aesthetic and safety
appeal, cellular car park beams are used for
their economy. At the date of publication
70% of the car parks constructed using
cellular beams were Design & Build contracts,
where the project contractor used cellular
beams as the most economical solution.
24
CAR PARK
BEAMS
Capitol Car Park, Douglas, Isle of Man
Floor Beams in Car Parks

Without doubt, one of the most advantageous uses of cellular
beams is within car park construction. At 16 metre spans under
car park loadings a cellular beam is an extremely efficient
structural member. In addition to its lighter weight a cellular
beam provides three significant benefits in car park
construction:
Fairhill Car Park, Ballymena
1. Pre-Cambers
Cellular beams can be pre-cambered at no cost during
production to offset a proportion of the dead-load deflection.
Large cambers allow the natural drainage of surface water and
eliminate the need for additional screed.
2. Appearance & Personal Security
The large web openings provide a light and airy interior to
Milton Keynes Car Park
improve personal security, increasingly demanded by clients

for modern parking areas.
3. Smoke Ventilation
Health and safety regulations dictate the need to consider
the problems of smoke ventilation. The regular web openings
accelerate smoke dispersion compared to solid-web beams,
and can avoid the need to use a forced ventilation system.
Facing page: Amersham Car Park
25
CAR PARK
BEAMS
Beam Depth
There are no standard beam depths for car parks. The table
opposite on page 27 shows the range of beam depths used in
the earliest 25 Westok cellular beam car parks. The depth is
not dictated by the cellular beam - the client and Engineer
determine the depth allowed, and using CELLBEAM AutoMate,
the Engineer can design the optimum cellular beam at that
exact depth.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Economy
Whilst the appearance of cellular beams is a persuasive factor,
the most common reason for using cellular car park beams is
economy. Steel itself has become the dominant material for
constructing multi-storey car parks, and cellular beams are used
in more steel-framed car parks than any other type of steel
beam.
At the date of publication well over half of the MSCPs built
Sainsburys, Clapham
using cellular beams have been Design & Build projects, where
either the main contractor or steelwork contractor chose to
use cellular beam construction because it produced the most
economical overall building.
Douglas, Isle of Man
26
CAR PARK
BEAMS
Westok Cellular Beam Car Parks
Depth Allowed
Layout
Whilst most car parks in the UK are designed with 16m
Oliver Road, Thurrock
474mm
secondary beams, frame centres vary considerably. The choice
Cambridge
475mm
of beam centres has little or no impact on the economy of
Scotland Street, Sheffield
500mm
cellular beams, which have been used at 3.6m, 4.8m and 7.2m
Douglas, Isle of Man
525mm
centres in car parks across the UK.
Crowne Plaza, Dublin
525mm
Sunwin House, Bradford
536mm
Sainsburys, Clapham
580mm
Amersham
600mm
Ulster Hospital, Belfast
620mm
Buxton Pavilion
650mm
Crystal Peaks, Sheffield
650mm
Natural frequency for beams within car parks may be reduced
Sunderland Sunniside
650mm
to as low as 3Hz for individual members. Research has shown
Newcastle 1 & 2
691mm
that longer span floors actually perform better for vibration
Fairhill, Ballymena
693mm
St Andrews, Norwich
694mm
Telford College, Edinburgh
699mm
Buttercrane, Newry
700mm
King Street, Belfast
700mm
Prospect, Sunderland
700mm
Waitrose HQ, Barking
700mm
Cork 1 & 2
750mm
IKEA, Leeds
775mm
ASDA, Rawtenstall
820mm
Longer Spans
Cellular car park beams are also very economical at spans
beyond the traditional 16m. The longest span supplied by
Westok for a UK car park is 28m. In the USA spans in excess of
20m are commonplace, and almost all use cellular beams.
than short span floors - directly opposite to the conventional
Photo courtesy CMC Steel Group
wisdom of the mid-1990s.
Inn of the Mountain Gods Hotel & Casino, New Mexico, USA - 28.3m clear span
Blackpool Car Park, Cork
27
ROOF
BEAMS
Straight
Roof Beams
The cellular beam owes its existence to its
ancestor, the castellated beam of the 1970s
and 80s. Like castellated beams, the principle
benefit of a cellular beam is its ability to
span a long distance at a much lighter
weight than a plain I-beam.
28
FOR WESTOKS FREE DESIGN SERVICE PLEASE USE THE FORM ON PAGE 33
ROOF
BEAMS
Straight Roof Beams

Comparison with Plain Universal Beams
Traditional castellated beams were renowned for their economy as long span roof beams. Cellular beams possess all the
same attributes, but with far greater economy. The production
process considerably improves the section properties of the
parent beam used, thus saving enormous weight compared
to plain Universal Beams - see Fig. 16.
RASE, Stoneleigh - 40m span - the project was originally designed using trusses
but was changed by the project steelwork contractor to cellular beams for their
cost saving benefits and to reduce lead-time.
It should be noted that as steel prices increase, so the

economy of a cellular beam improves compared to plain
Universal Beams, due to the weight saving. For a full table
of comparisons with plain Universal Beams, see page 31.
Gala Bingo, Newcastle - 50m span - cellular beams were

used in preference to jumbo plain beams and plate girder
options. Cellular beams were chosen for economy and
lead-time.
Cellular Beam
906 x 229 x 101kg/m
Fig. 16
Plain UB
686 x 254 x 170kg/m
Inertia 170300cm4
Inertia 171301cm4
Weight Saving - 40%
Extreme Lengths
Whilst any span can be achieved by splicing together two or
Comparison with Trusses
more beams, there is often a visual preference to avoid plated
Beyond the range of portal-frame construction, cellular beams
splices. Cellular beams are commonly supplied in very long
are the ideal solution. A cost comparison between cellular
lengths, with no impact on programme and at little or no
beams and trusses invariably favours cellular beams. Built-up
extra cost. Lengths up to 27m are commonplace. For longer
truss fabrication is more labour intensive and painting costs
lengths please consult Westok as local transport restrictions
are considerably higher.
may apply.
Below: 37.5m beams delivered in a single length for Galpharm Stadium
Facing page: Fulham Broadway Swimming Pool
29
ROOF
BEAMS
Designing Straight Cellular

Roof Beams
Cellular roof beams are designed using CELLBEAM AutoMate.
The user inputs the loading and layout information, and
AutoMate chooses a suitable cellular beam size. The user has
the option to limit the beam depth should eaves height be an
issue. Unless it is essential to do so the user should not limit
Fulham Broadway Swimming Pool - 26m lengths delivered to site
depth, thereby allowing AutoMate to choose the lightest

solution - see Fig. 17.
Fig. 17
Cellular beams can be designed either simply-supported or as
Audi, Newport - 25.5m lengths delivered nine days after order
portal frames. See pages 36-37 for a fuller explanation.

CELLBEAM AutoMate is capable of designing complex
cantilevers. Westok Advisory Engineers are available to offer
assistance.
Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield Town FC
Stamford Bridge, Chelsea FC
30
ROOF
BEAMS
Standard UB
Section Size
Section Properties for

Cellular Roof Beams
Cellular beam geometry is extremely flexible. Changing the
cell data alters the beam depth, resulting in a range of section
properties from a single parent section. For example:
Parent UB:
762x267x147kg/m

Cells
800mm diam @ 1000mm centres
Resulting Depth 1141mm

Ixx
382897cm4
Cells
750mm diam @ 1125mm centres
Resulting Depth
1078mm
Ixx
337666cm4
Therefore, Section Property Tables for this type of beam are of

very limited help to the Engineer. However, FOR INDICATION
PURPOSES ONLY, the table (right) can be used for preliminary
beam sizing. The example in Fig. 18 (which is highlighted in
the table, right) indicates the typical weight saving a cellular
beam displays over a standard Universal Beam. It should be
noted that as steel prices increase, so the economy of a cellular
beam improves compared to plain Universal Beams, due to the
weight saving.
Fig. 18
Standard UB
686 x 254 x 170kg/m
Cellular Beam
906 x 229 x 101kg/m
Inertia 170300cm4
Inertia 171301cm4
Weight Saving - 40%
A full design must be carried out in CELLBEAM AutoMate

which performs all the necessary checks for secondary effects
as required by BS5950.
1016
1016
1016
1016
1016
1016
1016
1016
914
914
914
914
914
914
838
838
838
762
762
762
762
686
686
686
686
610
610
610
610
610
610
610
533
533
533
533
533
457
457
457
457
457
457
457
457
457
457
406
406
406
406
406
406
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
305
305
305
305
305
305
305
305
419
419
305
305
305
305
292
292
292
267
267
267
267
254
254
254
254
305
305
305
229
229
229
229
210
210
210
210
210
191
191
191
191
191
152
152
152
152
152
178
178
178
178
140
140
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
487
438
393
349
314
272
249
222
388
343
289
253
224
201
226
194
176
197
173
147
134
170
152
140
125
238
179
149
140
125
113
101
122
109
101
92
82
98
89
82
74
67
82
74
67
60
52
74
67
60
54
46
39
Cellular Beam
Ixx
Ixx
1020400
908900
806600
722100
643200
552900
480300
406900
719600
625800
504200
436300
376400
325300
339700
279200
246000
240000
205300
168500
150700
170300
150400
136300
118000
209500
153000
125900
111800
98610
87320
75780
76040
66820
61520
55230
47540
45730
41020
37050
33320
29380
36590
32670
28930
25500
21370
27310
24330
21600
18720
15690
12510
1684318
1468573
1085867
915994
915994
737838
737838
554621
486808
486808
737838
629621
554621
486808
382897
342081
342081
342081
342081
342081
222718
171301
171301
171301
171301
139273
125069
222718
171301
139273
125069
107646
107646
83924
83924
75521
65363
55511
49297
49297
42738
42738
35662
35662
44195
35662
35662
27435
22983
27435
27435
22983
22983
16515
14801
Section Size
1398
1389
1490
1480
1480
1364
1364
1257
1149
1149
1364
1263
1257
1149
1141
1137
1137
1137
1137
1137
915
906
906
906
906
805
800
915
906
804
800
796
796
689
689
686
687
615
612
612
609
609
609
609
544
609
609
532
534
532
532
534
534
462
470
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
419
419
305
305
305
305
305
292
267
267
305
292
292
267
267
267
267
267
267
267
229
229
229
229
229
210
210
229
229
210
210
210
210
191
191
191
152
178
178
178
178
178
140
140
171
140
140
171
127
171
171
127
127
127
102
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
388
343
249
222
222
201
201
176
173
173
201
194
176
173
147
134
134
134
134
134
125
101
101
101
101
101
92
125
101
101
92
82
82
82
82
74
67
67
60
60
54
54
46
46
67
46
46
45
39
45
45
39
39
37
33
31
ROOF
BEAMS
Spine Beams
Hit and miss spine beams are a common method of increasing
usable floor space in a single storey building.
Cellular beams efficiently span three, four or even five bays
between columns, creating vast open floor areas at minimum
cost. Cellular spine beams also eliminate expensive rafter/
spine dropped haunch arrangements - see Fig. 19.
ASDA, Hartlepool - typical connection of incoming rafter within the depth of a

cellular spine beam.
Fig. 19
Simple connection into a cellular valley beam
M3 Services, Winchester - cellular spine beams and curved cellular rafters.
Costly dropped haunch beneath a plain valley beam
Cellular spine beams can be cambered for drainage,

free of charge.
Asymmetric sections maximise efficiency where
Middlebrook Leisure Centre - 2.5m deep cellular spine beams, 42m span.
subjected to lateral torsional buckling - see Fig. 20.

Fig. 20
Asymmetric cellular spine beam
Athlone Mail Distribution Centre - incoming rafters with an end-plate connection

on to the toes of the cellular spine beam.
32
DESIGN ENQUIRY FORM
CONTACT DETAILS
ROOF BEAM
Company:
Name:
Address:
Email:
Tel:
Fax:
PROJECT DETAILS
Project Title:
Beam Ref:
LAYOUT
Type:
Span:
Restraint:
OR
Rafter
Full
Centres:
OR
NOTES
Spine Beam
m
Partial
Spacing of Restraints:
Purlin pitch
(Use notes if a fuller description necessary)
LOADING
Live:
kN/m2
Cladding, Purlins & Services:
kN/m2
Wind Uplift:
kN/m2
Wind Down:
kN/m2
Minimum Dead:
kN/m2
Other:
kN/m2
Maximum Beam Depth:
mm
mm
Approx. Radius:
unfactored
unfactored
unfactored
unfactored
(used against wind uplift) unfactored

unfactored
LIMITS
RADIUS
if applicable
FOR TAPERS, CANTILEVERS, PORTAL FRAMES ETC.

THAT ARE NOT EASILY CATERED FOR BY THIS FORM,
PLEASE USE THE NOTES AREA PROVIDED TO DESCRIBE
YOUR REQUIREMENT. ALTERNATIVELY, CALL WESTOKS
ADVISORY ENGINEERS ON: 01924 264121
NOTES
33
ROOF
BEAMS
Curved Beams
Cellular beams are the perfect solution
for curved roof applications, combining a
considerable weight saving compared with
plain sections and a low-cost curving process.
34
ROOF
BEAMS
Economics
Plain or Cellular Beams?
Cellular beams offer economies compared to plain universal
beams due to weight savings of up to 40% and the ease of
curving. The relative cost of plain and cellular beams depends
on many factors, but may be summarised as:
Tight
Radius
Medium
Radius
Large
Radius
Plain
Plain/Cellular
Cellular
Plain/Cellular
Cellular
Cellular
Up to 16m span
> 16m span
ASDA, Tamworth
Please consult Westok for specific advice
Curving Process
Span Range
The economic span range of curved cellular beams depends
Step 1
on the loading and frame centres, but may be generalised as:

Roof Type
Curved Portal
Two beams are split, the first using a special top tee cut
Curved Simply-supported
<20m
20 - 40m
>40m
(red) and the second using a special bottom tee cut (grey).
In summary, the greater the span, the greater the economy of
curved cellular beams compared to curved plain beams.
Step 2
A bottom tee is curved to the required radius.

Step 3
A top tee is curved and welded to the bottom tee. The

process is repeated using the remaining tees to create a
pair of curves.
Facing page: Liverpool FC Academy
Glasgow Rangers FC Academy
35
ROOF
BEAMS
Parkland Textiles, Nottingham - 36m span
Simply Supported Curves

Most curved cellular beams are designed simply supported,
or with a relatively nominal degree of end fixity.
Compared to simply supported plain UBs huge economies are
achieved. Plain UBs are curved by specialist section bending
companies. This adds to both cost and lead-time. Cellular
beams are curved as part of the standard production process,
Liverpool FC Academy - simply supported spans of 44m.
usually without cost or any impact on lead-time.

These economies become more pronounced as spans increase,
due to the high strength to weight ratio of cellular beams. Even
designed simply-supported, the span range of cellular beams
extends way beyond that of plain UBs. To date, spans of up to
55 metres have been built using curved cellular beams.
Cardiff Retail Park - simply supported spans up to 53m.
36
ROOF
BEAMS
Portalised Curved Cellular Beams

It is possible to reduce the steel weight or extend the span
range of cellular beams by designing them as part of a portal
frame. CELLBEAM AutoMate does not in itself carry out a frame
analysis, but used in conjunction with proprietry frame design
Trafford Park, Manchester - curved cellular rafters with separate plated beam
haunches.
packages it is quite straightforward to produce an appropriate

portal cellular rafter design. Portalised cellular members must
be designed elastically.
Both straight or curved rafters may be included as frame
members. The design method is to model the overall frame
forces and moments, and introduce the cellular section within
the appropriate length of the frame members.
There are two options of designing the haunched ends of
such rafters. Whilst it is possible to weld a traditional tapered
ALDI, Runcorn - 42m span curved portal frame. A Design & Build project in which
this solution proved more economical than curved plain UBs.
haunch to the underside of the cellular beam, it is far more

common to fabricate a totally separate haunch, made from
plate - see top two photographs.
CELLBEAM AutoMate software caters for end fixity and axial
loads - see Fig. 21.
Leeds United FC Academy - 38m span curved rafters with nominal haunch.
A Design & Build project in which the 830mm deep cellular rafter proved to be
more economical than an 838 x 292 plain curved UB.
Fig. 21
Full output graphics can be viewed on screen to allow
assessment of moment, shear and deflected profiles for the
member - see Fig. 22.
Fig. 22
37
ROOF
BEAMS
Achievable Radii
Most cellular beams can be curved in house at little or no cost.
However, certain tight curves cannot, in which case Westok
works with a specialist section bending company. The table to
Wakefield School - Type B curve
the right shows the approximate radii achievable for each type.
Type A
Curved in-house, therefore at minimum cost
Type B
Curved in collaboration with a section-bending company
Typical Beam
Depth
(mm)
450
The radius achievable in-house is not dependent on the overall

span, but on the length of the individual beams that form the
650
span. Therefore, a tighter radius can be achieved by introducing a splice as shown in Fig. 24 below. Splices at 1/3 points
allow an even tighter radius.
850
Fig. 24
1100
1350
Length
of Beam
(m)
Minimum
Radius
Type A (m)
Minimum
Radius
Type B (m)
10
12
14
16
20
30
40
50
15
15
15
15
14
16
18
20
50
60
80
95
20
20
20
20
14
16
18
20
60
75
90
110
30
30
30
30
14
16
18
20
65
80
100
125
35
35
35
35
16
18
20
22
95
115
140
170
45
45
45
45
This table is simplistic and conservative. Please consult Westok for

specific advice.
Wellcome Foundation, Melksham - Type A curve
38
ROOF
BEAMS
Reverse or
S-shaped Curves
An increasingly popular form of roof construction is the use
of S-shaped, or Reverse curves. Cellular beams are frequently
chosen to achieve such a roof shape. The S is formed by
joining together two single curves of equal or differing radii.
There are no restrictions regarding where the curve must
change direction, or the different radii that can be joined
together. The joint at the change of direction can be welded by
the project steelwork contractor, or in most cases the steelwork
contractor gives this additional scope of work to Westok.
Above and below: South Lakeland Leisure Centre, Carnforth
Imperial Select Motor Dealership, Boksburg, South Africa
Photo courtesy of MACSTEEL
Winchester M3 Motorway Services
39
ROOF
BEAMS
Tapered Beams
& Cantilevers
Cellular beams provide the most economical
method of producing tapered steel members.
40
ROOF
BEAMS
Tapered Cellular Beams

Cellular beams provide the most economical method of
producing tapered steel members - see Fig. 25.
Fig. 25
Step 1: Profile at angle of required taper
Dunfermline Athletic FC - 21m cantilever with uniform cells
Step 2: Spin one tee 180 and re-weld
Tapered beams can have cells of uniform size, cells of varying

size or no cells. This affects the relative cost - see Fig. 26.
Fig. 26
Minimum cost
Uniform diameter cells full length - provides the most

efficient design, combined with the minimum amount of
weld length.
Harlequins RFC - bespoke cells
Medium cost
Bespoke cells that vary in diameter - also minimises weld

length, but the design is likely to be slightly heavier.
Highest cost
No cells - by far the most expensive option. The beam is not

expanded so is heavier than a cellular taper. More critically,
it also requires a long length of weld. Apart from the cost of
the weld, there is also difficulty in maintaining straightness
due to the amount of heat input necessary.
Above and facing page: Hull KC Stadium - 29m span cantilever with bespoke cells
41
ROOF
BEAMS
Westok & Stadia

Barnsley FC
Cantilever Roof Members
Bradford City FC
Cellular beams are frequently the preferred choice for
Bristol City FC
cantilevers. This is due to the production process, which
Burton Albion FC
achieves the two key requirements for a cantilever:
Cardiff City FC
Carlisle Utd FC
great depth and therefore huge inertia at the support
Celtic FC
minimum depth and therefore minimal weight at the tip
Chelsea FC
Cheltenham Town FC
Chester City FC
Doncaster Racecourse
Doncaster Rovers FC
Long cantilevers are often designed using two or even three

different beam sizes to minimise the overall weight of the
rafter with huge benefit to project cost - see Fig. 27.
Burton Albion FC - 16m cantilever
Dundee FC
Dunfermline Athletic FC
Fig. 27
East Fife FC
Exeter RUFC
Forest Green Rovers FC
15m
762 x 267 x 173kg/m
Grantham Town FC
Harlequins RFC
13m
457 x 191 x 74kg/m
Hibernian FC
Huddersfield Town FC
Project: Carlisle Utd FC
Hull City FC
Ipswich Town FC
Kidderminster Harriers FC
Kilmarnock FC
Livingstone FC
CELLBEAM AutoMate allows Engineers to design tapered

cantilevers, (see Fig. 28) but most Engineers ask Westoks
Macclesfield Town FC
Advisory Engineers to design them due to the additional
Montrose FC
complexity of manipulating the section geometry. The design
Newcastle Falcons RFC
service is free of charge.
Newmarket Racecourse
Dunfermline FC - 21m cantilever
Northampton Town FC
Oxford United FC
Partick Thistle FC
Reading FC
Ross County FC
Rushden & Diamonds FC
Shrewsbury Town FC
St Mirren FC
Walsall FC
Warrington Wolves RLFC
Watford FC
Worcester RFC
Wycombe Wanderers FC
Fig. 28
Cantilever design using CELLBEAM AutoMate.
Rushden & Diamonds FC
42
ROOF
BEAMS
Pitched Roofs Using Tapers

A basic portal frame is likely to produce the cheapest cost shed
up to spans of about 25 metres. However, there are often cases
where the haunched portal frame is not appropriate to the
needs of a client. These are likely to be:
where column widths need to be minimised
where eaves height is critical, eg. planning issues
or expensive cladding
where a more aesthetically pleasing appearance
is required
extreme spans beyond the range of portal frames
Centennial Park, Elstree - 36m clear span. 500mm at eaves, 750mm at apex.
In such cases a tapered cellular beam is often the optimum

solution - see Fig. 29. As with cantilevers, tapered single storey
roof beams are usually designed by Westok for the Project
Engineer. The design service is totally free of charge or
obligation.
Fig. 29
Kingston Park, Newcastle - 38m clear span. 550mm at eaves, 935mm at apex.
A tapered beam minimises

the height to the underside
of the eaves
Fig. 30
The deepest point of a

tapered rafter is at mid-span
where the maximum inertia
is required
Double taper design with CELLBEAM AutoMate.
IFB Zeebrugge, Belgium - 53m clear span. 1200mm at eaves, 1500mm at apex.
43
COLUMNS
Cellular Columns
As building height increases, cellular columns
become increasingly economical compared to
other solutions.
44
COLUMNS
Parallel Flanged Columns

As building height increases, cellular columns become
increasingly economical compared to other solutions.
High-bay columns in todays super sheds are a particularly
suitable application, where the increased inertia of a cellular
beam will minimise the deflections in the tall columns.
Cellular columns are most efficient in cases where axial loads
are small, such as gable columns, portal legs, wind-posts and
valley columns.
CELLBEAM AutoMate is capable of designing cellular columns
but most Engineers prefer to use the services of Westoks
Advisory Engineers to carry out such designs completely
free of charge.
Churchill Court, Trafford Park
Porsche Showroom, Liverpool
Parkland Textiles, Nottingham
Tapered Columns
The initial reason to use any form of tapered column is likely
to be one of aesthetics. However, once it is decided that a
tapered column is appropriate, a cellular taper will be the
most economical solution.
There are no restrictions on the shape of taper.
Cell diameters can be uniform or can vary in proportion
with the degree of taper.
Facing page: Ideal Hardware, Chessington
Holmes Place, Merton
45
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability
Westok is fortunate and delighted that cellular beams help to
create buildings that use less steel and minimize the lifetime
costs and environmental burdens associated with construction.
Reduced use of Raw Steel
Cellular beams use 25 - 50% less steel than plain beams
25 - 50% lighter loads to transport
Minimum Lifetime Costs / Environmental Burden

The most important factor by far in the longevity of multistorey buildings is maximizing the flexibility of layout for
future tenants. Cellular floor beams produce column-free,
long span floors at the same overall cost as the short spans
of the 1980s. Todays clear span structures will not have to
be demolished due to lack of flexibility.
Furthermore, cellular beams allow the adoption of circular
ducting without increasing the overall depth of construction.
Circular ducting is up to three times more energy efficient than
rectangular ducting. (See page 12).
46
INTERNATIONAL
MARKETS
International
Markets
Cellular beam use in the UK alone comfortably exceeds 25,000
tonnes per year, at the time of publication. Worldwide annual
usage exceeds 50,000 tonnes.
Cellular beams have been used in over 25 countries. At the time
of publication manufacturing is carried out in the UK, Europe,
the USA, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the United Arab
Photo courtesy MACSTEEL
Emirates. Westok will gladly advise of contact details for each

part of the world.
Photo courtesy of Arcelor
Marizburg College, South Africa
Fischrestaurant, Ewald, Germany
Photo courtesy CMC Steel Group
Matrade, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Best Buy, Colma, California USA
47
Tel: 01924 264121 Fax: 01924 280030 Email: info@westok.co.uk
Design and photography by threeonedoublenine. www.3199. com. au
ASD Westok Limited, Charles Roberts Office Park, Charles Street, Horbury Junction, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF4 5FH
www.westok.co.uk

ASD Westok. Part of the ASD metal services group.
10/08

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ENGINEERS DESIGN GUIDE

ENGINEERS DESIGN GUIDE

Westok worked with the Steel Construction Institute to test

Cellular beams have been used in over 25 countries. At the time

Secondary Floor Beams - pg 21

of publication manufacturing is carried out in the UK, Europe,

USFB s (Ultra Shallow Floor Beams) - pg 23

Emirates. Westok will gladly advise of contact details for each

Copies of Design Enquiry Forms are also available on Westoks

Cellular beam use in the UK alone comfortably exceeds 25,000

submitted to Westok online.

In 2006 Westok introduced a new beam - USFB

(Ultra Shallow Floor Beam) - see page 22.

provide CPD seminars covering

To use any of Westoks Advisory Engineering Services

These can be held at Consultants

ASD Westok Limited

Design & Advisory Meetings

to the Project Engineer without cost or obligation.

ENGINEERS DESIGN GUIDE

What is a Cellular Beam?

Floor Beams / Asymmetric Beams /

25 Floor Beams in Car Parks

45 Parallel Flanged Columns /

Straight Roof Beams

Portalised Curved Cellular Beams

ENGINEERS DESIGN GUIDE

ENGINEERS DESIGN GUIDE

What is a Cellular Beam?

A Universal Beam or Universal Column is castellated which

parent section - see Fig. 1. The exact finished depth, cell

up to two and a half times better section properties than its

Curved Roof Beams

Facing page: City Park, Hove

Cellular beam profiling

ENGINEERS DESIGN GUIDE

SCI Cellular Beam Software

USFB Software &

SCI and Westok have also released

ENGINEERS DESIGN GUIDE

Using CELLBEAM AutoMate

designs are totally free of charge or any obligation.

responded to by return if required. Multiple options for the

Designs can be requested by phone, fax or e-mail, and can be

Free Design Service

Design Enquiry Forms can be found in this Guide as follows:

Westok Design Suite - current at date of publication

Secondary Floor Beams - pg 21

As the name suggests, CELLBEAM AutoMate designs the

cellular beam automatically. The Project Engineer inputs loads,

Copies of Design Enquiry Forms are also available on Westoks

asked for limits:

website at www.westok.co.uk - these can be completed and

Is a maximum or precise fixed beam depth required?

submitted to Westok online.

Once answered, the software designs the optimum beam size

ENGINEERS DESIGN GUIDE

Specifying Cellular Beams

732 x 191/229 ACB 90

Top UB 457 x 191 x 67

Structural Fire Data

732 x 191/229 x 90kg/m ACB. S355 (450 @ 650)