WF Placement Mistakes That Can Reduce the Strength of a Building's Structure

Wide Flange (WF) steel is known for its high strength and is commonly used in multi-story buildings, warehouses, and even wide-span structures. However, even high-quality WF can fail if incorrectly placed in the field.

Incorrect placement of WF not only impacts aesthetics but can also reduce structural strength and increase the risk of building failure. Here are some of the most common errors.

1. Wide Flange (WF) Positioning Incorrectly in the Load Direction
WFs are designed to withstand loads in a specific direction, particularly bending loads. A common error is that WFs are installed in an orientation that does not align with the structural design.

The impact:

• Bending capacity is not optimal
• The structure becomes more prone to sagging
• WF efficiency is drastically reduced

WFs must be installed in the direction of the primary load as specified in the working drawings.

2. Inaccurate WF Support Position
WFs must have sufficient and precise support on the supporting columns or beams. If the WF is placed too far, has insufficient support length, or is off-center, the force will not be transferred properly.

The risks:

• Excessive stress in the support area
• Cracks or deformation at the joints
• Reduced structural capacity

3. WF Connections Not Conforming to Structural Details
Errors in WF connections, whether using bolts or welding, are often considered trivial. However, the connection is a critical point in steel structures.

Common errors:

• Number of bolts less than specified
• Incorrect bolt size
• Uneven weld quality

Unstandardized connections can significantly reduce the strength of the WF.

4. Misaligned and Uneven WFs (Misalignment)
WFs that are installed tilted, twisted, or misaligned will create additional, unplanned loads.

The impact:

• Torsion forces are generated
• Structures fatigue more quickly
• Shortened building lifespan

5. Spacing Between WFs is Too Wide
In some projects, the spacing between WFs is made wider than initially calculated to save material. This practice is high-risk because:

• The load becomes too large on a single steel frame
• Deflection increases
• Structural stability decreases

The spacing of steel frames must follow structural calculations, not field assumptions.

6. Not Using Sufficient Bracing or Stiffeners
A steel frame installed without an adequate bracing or stiffener system will lose lateral stability, especially over long spans.

As a result:

The structure is prone to shifting

The risk of buckling increases

The steel frame performance is suboptimal

7. Ignoring Installation Tolerances
Every steel structure installation has a technical tolerance limit. If these tolerances are ignored, errors will accumulate, impacting the entire structure.

Small errors left unchecked can become major problems in the final stages of the project.

Conclusion
Steel frames are a very strong structural material, but:

• Placement errors
• Improper connections
• Incorrect orientation and supports

can significantly reduce the strength and safety of a building.

The key to a safe structure is a combination of quality materials and correct installation.

Use Quality WF Steel & Meet Standards
PT Intisumber Bajasakti provides quality WF steel, meeting SNI standards, in a complete range of sizes for various construction needs.

📞 Phone: 021-66675999
🌐 Website: intisumberbajasakti.com
✉️ Email: info@intisumberbajasakti.com

Contact our team now for a consultation on WF specifications and your project's structural material needs.

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