What material are girders typically fabricated from?

Girders are structural elements that support loads and are the primary framework in various constructions, such as buildings and bridges. The most common material used for fabricating girders is steel, which provides high strength-to-weight ratios and excellent durability, making it ideal for bearing heavy loads.

While plate stock can be used in the construction of girders, particularly in the context of heavy steel girders fabricated from large steel plates welded together, it is not the primary material itself. Steel is the general material classification that encompasses various forms, including plate stock.

Wire, while used in some structural applications, does not have the structural integrity required for girders. Similarly, aluminum is lighter and can be used in certain applications, but it typically does not offer the same load-bearing capacity as steel. Thus, steel clearly stands out as the material from which girders are most commonly fabricated.