When building a residence or house, construction workers use a ring beam to stabilize and support an architectural design. Then, do you know what a ring beam is, its types, and how to calculate it?
A ring beam is the main framework in the world of construction. It functions as a support and helps a building remain sturdy. It’s considered a unique and innovative building material. To get more insights about ring beams, check out the explanation below.
What Is a Ring Beam?
A ring beam is a rectangular, cube-shaped structural element at the top of a building wall. It binds the structure between walls and evens out the heavy load of the structure above it, for example, the roof frame.
In construction, the ring beam is often referred to as the mainframe because of its role as a support for the walls and upper structure of the building. Not only that, a ring beam also has a role in transmitting pressure to other structures below, such as columns and foundations.
Meanwhile, in the building, some columns will support the ring beam and transmit the pressure to the foundation. Therefore, a proper ring beam arrangement can affect the room temperature and air circulation. If the ring beam is too low, the air in the building will heat up.
What Differentiates Ring Beam and Beam?
Both ring beams and beams are important components in construction. The ring beam helps bind and distribute the load from the roof throughout the walls, while the beam plays a role in distributing the load from the floor or roof to the supporting structure below.
The main difference between ring beams and beams is their location and function. Ring beams are always on top of the top wall, while beams can be found in various positions, such as on top of columns as the floor support or on top of walls as a support for the other beams or roof structures.
In conclusion, ring beams and beams work together to support the load of the building. Ring beams focus on load distribution, and beams assist in load distribution.
Types of Ring Beams
There are several types of beams in construction, such as continuous, simple, eaves, and others. Find out more about the types of ring beams in the world of construction here:
1. Continuous Ring Beam
Continuous ring beams are more complex than the other types of ring beams. Unlike the type that uses several blocks, the continuous ring beam uses a single rectangular cube that surrounds the entire building in the form of a reinforced concrete ring, to maintain the stability and robustness of the overall structure.
Installing continuous ring beams requires strategic support at several crucial points. It is to ensure that this single beam can support the load effectively and distribute it throughout the structure. These supports can be poles or columns that help resist bending moments and minimize the impact of the height of the beam.
Continuous ring beams are typically found in complex-shaped and sized buildings, such as shopping centers, industrial buildings, and multi-story buildings. It's because these buildings have significant loads, so they require strong and consistent structural support throughout the area.
In addition, continuous ring beams can also be used for distinctive architectural elements, such as domes or other complex roof shapes.
2. Simple Ring Beam
A simple ring beam has a circular shape. It surrounds the top or bottom of a building, which helps distribute the load from the roof and structure above it to the surrounding support pillars or columns. Thus, simple ring beams can help prevent cracks and damage to building structures due to concentrated loads at one point.
3. Eaves Ring Beam
The eaves ring balm is like a sturdy support belt wrapped around the building and is composed of multi-story blocks. Each beam works together to distribute the load of the roof and structure above it evenly. That way, the load is distributed evenly, no longer a burden on the structure.
The strength of the eaves ring beam comes from the connection between the beams. Installing ties and bolts firmly ensures the beams fit together and strengthen each other. As a result, the eaves ring beam can prevent excessive load accumulation at one point, thereby minimizing the risk of cracks and damage to the building.
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4. Cantilever Beam
Cantilever ring beams are single or several beams installed at the end of a building that protrudes from the wall. This ring beam helps strengthen the end of the building, especially when it comes to supporting loads.
Buildings with flat, complex, or large roofs generally use cantilevered ring beams because they tend to have evenly distributed loads across their surface. Cantilevered balustrades help distribute these loads more effectively. This way, the cantilever ring beam can minimize the risk of load buildup at one point, ensuring the building structure remains stable.
5. Suspended Beam
Suspended ring beams, also known as supported ring beams, are a roof support structure composed of several connected beams. These beams are arranged in a certain pattern and supported by two eaves spans with strong connections, which become the main supporting elements that carry the load of the ring beams.
The suspended bar balustrade ring supports the load of the curved roof structure. Note that the load on a building with a curved roof is different from the load on a flat or simple-roofed building. Suspended bar balustrade rings are specifically designed to handle the loads on these complex roof structures.
In addition to spreading the load evenly, suspended bar balustrades also help maintain the integrity and stability of the roof structure. This strong connection between the eaves and beams can ensure that the curved roof remains sturdy and resistant to wind, snow, and other pressure loads.
Distinctive architectural buildings, such as ones with dome roofs, curved roofs, or other curved roof structures, typically use suspended bar beam rings. In this case, the suspended bar beam ring helps ensure the roof remains stable and safe.
6. Fixed End Beam
In construction, end ring beams play an important role in maintaining the stability and strength of the structure, especially in buildings with complex, large, or heavy loads. Different from ordinary ring beams, fixed-end beams have two strong support points on the column or wall to make them sturdy, flexible, and capable of enduring different pressures and pulls at both ends, or what is known as bending moments.
This way, the fixed end ring beam can distribute the load evenly throughout the structure and prevent the risk of damage due to concentrated loads. This is why this type of ring beam is often used in buildings with complicated roofs or those that require strong support at the ends.
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How to Calculate the Volume of a Ring Beam
The way to calculate the volume of a ring beam is the same as calculating the volume of a rectangular block or cube. This means that the ring volume of beam can be calculated using the following formula:
Volume = Length x Width x Height
Example:
For example, a ring beam is 10 meters long, 0.5 meters wide, and 0.3 meters high. So, calculate the ring volume of the beam using the formula above:
Volume = 10 m x 0,5 m x 0,3 m = 1,5 m³
That’s all you need to know about a ring beam. We hope you can get more insight about the definition, type, and how to calculate it. Note that incorrectly installing the ring beam risks weakening the building structure. Therefore, pay attention to the size, use of materials, and how to install it correctly.
Apart from that, to support the ring beam and remain sturdy, combine it with light steel and concrete. Concrete has the advantage of withstanding high-pressure forces, even though it may be ineffective in resisting tensile forces. Therefore, make sure to make concrete from quality materials such as Semen Merah Putih.
Semen Merah Putih is a premium cement product used as a building material. Cement produced by Semen Merah Putih proves to be strong and suitable for combining with ring beams.
So, what are you waiting for? Get red and white cement products at the nearest shop, and contact us for more detailed information about our products.
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