Cap plates allow beams to sit on top of a steel column rather than connecting into its side. Here’s when they’re suitable, how beam pairs work, and what this connection cannot do.
Author: Ted Sorrell
Steel Fabrication Specification: What Standard Are Beams Built To?
Advice Centre
All structural steelwork on PorthouseDean projects must be fabricated to the National Structural Steelwork Specification (NSSS). Here’s what that means.
What Level Does the Steelwork Need to Be?
Advice Centre
Exact steel beam levels are not set by the structural engineer — they are confirmed by the architect and contractor. Here’s why and what the typical tolerance is.
Steelwork Notes and Specifications for Domestic Projects
Advice Centre
The full steelwork specification that applies to all PorthouseDean structural packages — grades, welds, bolts, paint and installation requirements.
Steelwork Corrosion Protection: Paint vs Hot-Dip Galvanising
Advice Centre
Choosing between site-applied paint and off-site galvanising for steel corrosion protection depends on the environment. Here’s what each option provides.
Timber Joist Connection to the Side of a Steel Beam for a Flush Ceiling
Advice Centre
Where timber joists frame into the side of a steel beam for a flush ceiling finish, timber packers in the web create a robust fixing surface. No structural calcs are typically needed.
Downstand vs Flush Ceiling: Which Steel Beam Position Is Right for You?
Advice Centre
Steel beams can be installed so they drop below the ceiling line or sit flush within the floor zone. The structural performance is identical — but the cost, complexity, and finished look are very different.
Welded Cover Plate Splice: Joining Beams in Sections
Advice Centre
A welded cover plate splice allows a long beam to be delivered in manageable sections and joined on site. Here’s how it works and what the specification requires.
What Are My Options for Connecting Steel Beams?
Advice Centre
An overview of the main steel beam connection types used in domestic structural design — flexible end plates, cap plates, suspended connections and goalpost frames.
What Is a Flexible End Plate Splice?
Advice Centre
A flexible end plate splice connects two beam sections at a support point, carrying shear only. It enables shorter beam lengths for easier site handling while maintaining structural continuity.
What Level Does the Steel Beam Need to Be Fixed At?
Advice Centre
Structural drawings give indicative beam levels based on architect information. Final beam levels are confirmed by the architect or builder — not set definitively by the structural engineer.
Why Are My Beams at Different Heights? Coordinating B2 and B3 Soffit Levels
Advice Centre
When two intersecting beams are at different heights, it usually isn’t a mistake. Here’s why level differences occur and how to get them changed if they cause a problem.
