What is the primary function of a flange on a beam?

The primary function of a flange on a beam is indeed to disperse load. The flanges are the horizontal elements of an I-beam or H-beam, positioned at the top and bottom, and they play a crucial role in bearing the bending loads that the beam experiences. When a load is applied to the beam, the flanges help to transfer those loads from the center of the beam outward to the web and then to the supports, ensuring that the stresses are distributed evenly across the structure. This load dispersion is vital for maintaining the integrity and stability of the beam under various types of load conditions.

The web, which connects the two flanges, primarily resists shear forces, while the flanges handle bending moments. By functioning together, they allow the beam to effectively support large loads without excessive deformation or failure, a critical aspect in construction and structural design.