Flitch beam
The word 'flitch' refers to a plank of timber, cut lengthways from a tree trunk. It is related to the word 'flesh'.
A flitch beam is a compound beam commonly used in loft conversions and other timber-frame structures where longer spans are required than solid timber is able to provide.
Flitch beams consist of a steel plate sandwiched between two solid timber members and bolted together. Further alternating layers of timber and steel can be used as required to increase the strength of the beam.
The benefit of using flitch beams is that they are lighter and cheaper than using only steel, and allow fixing of the surrounding timber framework using nails or screws. As they are significantly stronger than timber beams they require less depth than a timber-only beam of the same strength.
In contemporary construction, the use of flitch beams has fallen into decline. This is largely due to the high cost of labour involved in their manufacture, and the introduction of high-strength engineered lumber and glulam beams. However, they can still be used to offer design versatility, and in renovation works where a structure needs to be altered or strengthened without increasing its depth or underlying construction.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
CIOB photographic competition final images revealed
Art of Building produces stunning images for another year.
Major overhaul of planning committees proposed by government
Planning decisions set to be fast-tracked to tackle the housing crisis.
Strategic restructure to transform industry competence
EBSSA becomes part of a new industry competence structure.
Industry Competence Steering Group restructure
ICSG transitions to the Industry Competence Committee (ICC) under the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
Principal Contractor Competency Certification Scheme
CIOB PCCCS competence framework for Principal Contractors.
The CIAT Principal Designer register
Issues explained via a series of FAQs.
Conservation in the age of the fourth (digital) industrial revolution.
Shaping the future of heritage
Embracing the evolution of economic thinking.
Ministers to unleash biggest building boom in half a century
50 major infrastructure projects, 5 billion for housing and 1.5 million homes.
RIBA Principal Designer Practice Note published
With key descriptions, best practice examples and FAQs, with supporting template resources.
Electrical businesses brace for project delays in 2025
BEB survey reveals over half worried about impact of delays.
Accelerating the remediation of buildings with unsafe cladding in England
The government publishes its Remediation Acceleration Plan.
Airtightness in raised access plenum floors
New testing guidance from BSRIA out now.
Picking up the hard hat on site or not
Common factors preventing workers using head protection and how to solve them.
Building trust with customers through endorsed trades
Commitment to quality demonstrated through government endorsed scheme.
New guidance for preparing structural submissions for Gateways 2 and 3
Published by the The Institution of Structural Engineers.
CIOB launches global mental health survey
To address the silent mental health crisis in construction.
Key takeaways from the BSRIA Briefing 2024
Not just waiting for Net Zero, but driving it.