Optimal Flange to Web Ratio When Hot Rolling Wide Flange Beams

I don't think W (wide flange) shapes are hot rolled.

"Optimal" as to what?

"W" shape beams are hot rolled in sizes ranging from 4" to 44". Optimal in reference to what the leader dimensions are for any given size.

What's a "leader dimension"?

Leader dimension; average flange thickness, web thickness, flange height in relation to finished bar dimension.

I am a bit mystified by this. I'm no expert, but I thought W shape flanges are made of flat bar or plate, welded to webs also of flat bar or plate. There is only a uniform flange thickness; if so, the term "average thickness" would be meaningless.

For S and C shapes, the "inner" flange surfaces are sloped 1:6 as I recall; in these non-uniform cases, "average thickness" would make sense (and could account for rounded and filleted corners).

This slope provides relief that allows rolling in one pass (so that the rolls are not squeezed between the opposite flanges). I guess parallel surfaces could be achieved by multiple passes, but I don't know if that is the method.

Once again, "optimum" applies to what? Minimum weight and maximum strength for a beam of given depth? Strength in which direction--X-X' versus Y-Y', or some "ideal" proportion between the two?

With your experience, perhaps you can clarify this....

Yes there are fabrication shops that make beams as you described. My experience has been through the hot rolling process through the years though. To me "W" shapes are those with thin webs and thick flanges. "S" shapes are those with sloped flanges. "H" beams are those having the same web and flange thickness.

The leader I am speaking to comes from a roughing mill, with sloped flanges. I like set ups that edge .750 off this leader flange height to get to the finished bar. I have a pretty good idea what I am looking for. I like getting different points of view. Thanks for your replies and I hope mine helped you.

If you are accomplished in this area, you already have this information.

If you are not accomplished in this area, you have some reading to do.

Thanks for the link, I've read that article before. I am accomplished in hot rolling and in setting up pass schedules. I like to get other peoples points of view when going over things. My knowledge is from years of experience rolling beams and setting up mill pass schedules.

Tornado, members up to 44-inches are hot-rolled...that includes W, S, Z's, Channels and angles.

In regard to cold rolled, you must be thinking about built-up members such as "Plate Girders" where the top and bottom flanges are welded to the web.

Check out the AISC Steel Manual for "optimal" (whatever that means???!!!)...maybe you mean "economical"? Or start calculating a whole bunch based on the available and commonly manufactured Wide Flange beams in the USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Brazil, India, Japan, China, etc etc etc etc................****GROAN****