Flat sections are used anywhere where a connection between two beams is required. They are used for base plates, end plates, stiffeners, gussets, tabs, splice plates, and many more. In some cases, they add strength to a beam when welded along the length of a beam (top or bottom). Flat sections are described by its width and thickness, eg. 200 x 12 Flat (both in mm). When a flat section is cut to smaller pieces, then they are called “plates”. Sometimes flat sections are used to reinforce timber joists (“flitch beam”) by bolting it to the joist every 400 – 600 mm.
