Compressive flange sinusoidal structural member

Abstract

A sinusoidal structural member having a dual component flange is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the flange (both upper and lower) is comprised of at least two components. These two components can be produced by dividing the flange lengthwise; where the division plane is substantially parallel to the plane of the web, when observing a standard flange-web relationship; and the geometry of the division border substantially matches the sinusoidal geometry of the web. The two resulting flange components substantially complement one another; wherein the sine peak of one component fits within the sine valley of its corresponding component, leaving a gap sufficient to accommodate the thickness of the web to be interposed. The sinusoidal web, substantially matching the division pattern of the flange components, is compressively sandwiched between the flange components, with sufficient compression to bring the sinusoidal web within dimensional compliance. The flange components are fused to the sinusoidal web during the compression process. The resulting structural member simpler to manufacture, while still providing the strength to weight ratio required in many applications.