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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.

All structural steelwork on PorthouseDean projects must be fabricated to the National Structural Steelwork Specification (NSSS). Here’s what that means.

The full steelwork specification that applies to all PorthouseDean structural packages — grades, welds, bolts, paint and installation requirements.

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.

An overview of the main steel beam connection types used in domestic structural design — flexible end plates, cap plates, suspended connections and goalpost frames.

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.

Fire protection for structural steelwork is specified by the architect, not PorthouseDean. Intumescent coatings must be compatible with the corrosion protection system already on the steel.

Fabrication drawings must be reviewed and approved by PorthouseDean before any steel is cut. This one step prevents costly mistakes that cannot be undone once fabrication has begun.

A goalpost frame uses a moment-resisting beam-to-column connection. This explains the standard connection geometry, bolt grades and plate specification.

A flexible end plate connection allows a secondary beam to frame into the side of a primary beam at the same level. Here’s what it involves and why it’s specified.