I Beams

Search term "structural steel i-beams" for information and dimensions. I think that the thickness of the web and flanges (3/16" = 9 inches full scale) on your beam (3/8" = 18 inches full scale) is too large. Also search "plastruct."

MELGAR

Bruce, 

I made my own I-beam.  Span is 14-1/2",  depth is 3/4", webs are 5/8".  Used hobby plywood, 1/8" thick.  I either purchased the hobby plywood at True Value, Hobby Lobby or some other hobby shop, do not remember.  

I made this elevated support because of clearance of a Premier Yellowstone and a total of three tracks where the clearance spanned over 14 inches.  I did not paint it, as you can see.  Cut the plywood on a portable table saw.

See the attached photos.

Bruce

To be clear, and not sound like a nit picker, there are two types of structural steel.  "I" and" Wide Flange".  What you have pictured are wide flag shapes.  

"I" shapes were first to come to market.  manufactured ay American Steel.  They are taller, infproportion to their width than wide flag shapes.  

"I" shapes are early used.  Wide flange shapes are the predominant shape used today and has been for well over half a century.  

The picture on the left is an American Steel Wide Flange shape.  On the right is an American Steel "I" shape.  You can see the difference in how they are rolled.  When I was in college, the largest rolled wide flange shape was 36".  Now days 44" is available.  If I recall 27" was the largest "I" shape.  Both can be used as beams or columns.  14" wide flag shapes are mostly used as columns.  An although classified as a W14 x Weight/foot, come in sizes up to 22.4" deep and 730 pounds per foot.

These monsters were used on the first tall skyscraper west of City Hall in Philly.  The Industrial Valley Bank building.  I don't know what it's name is today.  But back in 1967, I was working at one of the Penn Center buildings and watched as the over 300' boom crane lifted steel and concrete.  The crane sat on a platform made of rather large timbers.  This was due to the fact that the market Street Subway was directly below.  The platform distributed the load.  

Now you know almost everything you needed to know about structural steel.....LOL 

Thanks to all for the help.  Just knowing the correct terminology is a big help.  Bruce