Understanding Structural Beams in Construction

Building construction involves various types of beams and structural elements, each serving a specific purpose. The question asks for the term used for a beam located outside a wall, extending vertically up to the floor level above it. Let's examine the given options to identify the correct architectural term.

Analyzing the Options

• Purlin: Purlins are horizontal structural members in a roof. They span between rafters or trusses and support the roof covering or secondary roof members like battens. They are part of the roof structure, not a beam outside a wall between floor levels.
• Lintel: A lintel is a horizontal beam placed across the top of an opening (like a door or window) to support the load from the structure above it. Lintels are typically integrated within the wall thickness above openings. While a beam supporting a load, it's specific to openings within a wall, not a beam outside a wall up to the next floor level.
• Spandrel: In architecture and construction, a spandrel can refer to the panel or area between the top of one window and the sill of the window on the floor above. It can also be a beam that forms the perimeter of a floor slab, especially in multi-story buildings with curtain walls or facades where the beam is visible from the outside. This description aligns closely with a beam located outside a wall up to the floor level above it, often supporting edge loads or forming part of the facade.
• Rafter: Rafters are sloping structural members that extend from the ridge or hip of a roof down to the wall plate, supporting the roof covering. They are primary components of the roof structure and are not beams outside a wall between floor levels.

Identifying the Correct Term

Based on the definitions, the term that best fits the description of a beam outside a wall up to the floor level above it, often acting as an edge beam or part of the facade structure between floors, is a Spandrel beam, commonly just referred to as Spandrel in this context.

A spandrel beam is an external beam at floor level that supports the edge of the floor slab and potentially the facade elements above it, extending vertically up to the level of the floor above. This precisely matches the condition described in the question.

Therefore, the beam outside a wall up to the floor level above it is known as a Spandrel.

Revision Table: Beam Types

Additional Information: Spandrel Beams in Detail

Spandrel beams are crucial in modern building construction, especially for structures with skeletal frames and curtain walls. They serve multiple purposes:

• Structural Support: They support the edge of the floor slab.
• Facade Support: They can provide support for facade elements like curtain walls, windows, or panels between floors.
• Fire Compartmentation: They contribute to fire resistance between floors by creating a barrier.
• Architectural Element: The external appearance of the spandrel can be an important architectural feature.

Understanding terms like spandrel beam is vital for students studying civil engineering, architecture, and construction management.