What is H-Beam Steel - Differences Between H-Beam and I-Beam

The shape of I-beam steel is similar to that of H-beam steel, but they have different characteristics and applications. Below we’ll look at the difference between H-beam and I-beam steel.

What is H-beam Steel?

H-beam steel is a type of steel beam made of rolled steel, it is named because its section is the same as the letter “H”. This is economical steel with optimized section area distribution and a more reasonable strength weight ratio. Since all parts of H-beam steel are arranged at right angles, H-beam steel has been widely used for its advantages of strong bending resistance, simple construction, cost saving, and light structural weight.

Applications of H-beam Steel

H-beam steel is a new type of economic construction steel. The section shape of H-beam steel is reasonable, and its mechanical properties are great. When rolling, each point on the section extends evenly, and the internal stress is small. Compared with ordinary I-beam steel, H-beam steel has the advantages of large section modulus and is lightweight, which can reduce the building structure by 30-40%. Because the inner and outer sides of the legs are parallel and the leg ends are at right angles, the welding and riveting work can be saved by 25%. With large bearing capacity and good section stability, it is commonly used for large buildings, such as factories, as well as bridges, ships, lifting, and transportation machinery, equipment foundations, supports, foundation piles, etc. H-beam steel is mainly used for beams and columns in industrial and civil structures.

– Steel structure load-bearing support of industrial structures

– Steel pile and supporting structure of underground works

– Structure of equipment in the petrochemical industry and electric power industry

– Long-span steel bridge members

– Ship and machinery manufacturing frame structure

– Beam bracket of the train, automobile, and tractor

– Port conveyor belt, high-speed baffle bracket

H-Beam vs I-Beam - Differences Between H-Beam and I-Beam

The H-beam steel and I-beam steel not only have a slight difference in shape but also differ much in weight, strength, flange design, and some other characteristics, as well as applications.

1. H-beam steel has a longer, wider, and heavier flange than I-beam steel, but it can be used interchangeably most times. The flange refers to the horizontal element at the top and bottom of a beam.

2. The section size of I-beam steel is relatively high and narrow, the inertia moment of the two main sleeves of the section has a large difference. While H-beam steel has a more reasonable section shape, which makes it more effective and improves the bearing capacity.

3. H-Beams are relatively stronger than I-beams. H-beam steels have A thicker web, which refers to the height of the beam.

4. Welding H-beams is easier than I-beams. The H-beam steel looks like three pieces of metal constructed together, and I-beam is a piece of metal throughout. The flanges of H-beam steel are of equal thickness, including rolled sections and combined sections composed of 3 plates welded.

5. I-beams are generally lighter than H-beams.

6. I-beam steel can only be directly used for members bending in its web, so it is usually used in structural steel buildings, bridges, and other civil projects, while H-beam steels are great for platforms, bridges, and some residential and commercial buildings. I-beam steel can only be used for beams, while H-beam steel can only be used for load-bearing columns of structures.

7. H-beam steel can be mounted at any size or height, but I-beam is limited to the equipment.

What is H-Beam Steel – Differences Between H-Beam and I-Beam