What is a flitch plate girder?

A flitch plate girder is specifically defined as a structural element created by sandwiching steel plates, known as flitch plates, between wooden beams or other wood elements. This design is a method of combining the strengths of both steel and wood. The steel provides enhanced tensile strength and resistance while the wood contributes to overall stability and compressive strength.

The arrangement takes advantage of the properties of both materials, allowing for a lighter and more efficient structural solution than using either material alone. This makes flitch plate girders ideal for spanning longer distances where a reduction in weight is needed without sacrificing structural integrity.

In contrast, options indicating a beam made entirely of steel or a beam made from wooden planks don't encapsulate the unique hybrid nature of a flitch plate girder. Additionally, a composite of concrete and steel refers to a different kind of structural element known as a composite beam, which also does not align with the definition and characteristics of flitch plate girders.