Plastic/Rubber Model Wide Flange Beam

[FootNMouth]

Does anyone know where you can buy a model wide flange beam? I had a teacher in college who used one in class and it was very useful in describing different limit states. I am teach a class and would like to be able have the same demonstration.

 

[port125]

Could you use a real wide flanged beam? you can probably get a local fabricator to donate a piece to you. maybe even with holes and cuts (For exciting limit state demonstrations!)
Or for a lighter option get an aluminum I beam.
Or even lighter get a fiberglass I beam

I did a quick search on McMaster Carr and found aluminum and fiberglass . With some Googling you may be able to find them cheaper or local.

You just made me want an I beam for my desk

 

[IFRs]

Try these guys gtindustries.com where you could get one cut from foam up to about 8 feet long. They make shapes for me.

 

[MikeHalloran]

A model railroad shop should have them in stock.


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[TXStructural]

I think the advantage of a resilient, elastic material would allow one to demonstrate post-yield behavior without replacing the beam each time. In particular, it allows exaggerated displacements to be seen from a distance, using fingers instead of excessively large loads.

 

[BAretired]

Something like this?

http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/pls/pls90029.htm

BA

 

[FootNMouth]

Thanks everyone for their input, I was able to get a hold of my former teacher and she led me to the following website:

http://www.pasco.com/prodCatalog/ME/ME-8987_super-flex-i-beam/index.cfm

This model is manufactured specifically for showing various limit states. However it costs $90.

 

[dhengr]

I did about the same thing with a piece of foam rubber 3"x6"x3'. I marked a .5" sq. or 1" sq. grid system on each face (or at least two faces). I could show bending about weak and strong axis and torsion. Of course, the above will not show flange or web buckling, but it is easy to do and fairly inexpensive. I imagine you could build a WF shape from 1" thick foam rubber sheets, 12" wide flanges, 16" deep web, 4' long. You would have to experiment with the type of glue (maybe some form of rubber cement) at the web to flange connection.