Uses and Types of Structural Steel Beams

Types of Steel Beams

A steel beam is a broad term to describe a structural item that provides a level of support. Some of the most common terms for steel beams are as follows:

• I beams - these are also known as universal beams, with the composition of the flanges (the flat surfaces) and the web (the vertical support) resembling a capital ‘I’. These are the most common types of beam.
  
  
• H beams - these are similarly shaped to steel I beams, although are generally heavier and longer. As the name implies, these have an ‘H’-shaped cross-section, and often have web and flange thicknesses that are the same.
• W beams - these are commonly known as wide flange beams, which is unsurprisingly due to their straight, larger flanges.
• T beams - these load-bearing beams have a ‘T’-shaped cross-section, with the top section being the flange and only a vertical web.
• RSJs - rolled steel joists are a frequently-used term, but RSJ beams are effectively the same as universal steel beams.
• Universal columns - it’s quite common to confuse an H beam with a universal steel column. This is because they are essentially the same, with a UC beam being used as vertical supports, rather than horizontal ones.
• Parallel flange channels (PFC) - otherwise known as C channels, they effectively shape half of an I beam. The top and bottom of the beam have inner flanges which slope and come out on one side.
• Hollow steel sections - HSS sections (steel box sections) are steel profiles with tubular cross-sections. These can either come in rectangular, circular or square shapes, and are referred to as RHS, CHS and SHS, respectively. 

As you can see, there are various steel beam sizes and shapes, all of which are suited for specific purposes.

What are Structural Steel Beams Used For?

• Industrial or commercial buildings - high-rise buildings are often designed using structural steel due to its excellent tensile strength, durability and low weight. Larger buildings often require steel framing. Steel beams are perfect for these due to how quickly they can be fabricated, as well as how easy they are to use.
• Residential applications - steel is used in favour of other building materials in some domestic structures, for the same reasons as why it’s used in commercial and industrial buildings. Steel’s reliability and ease of use help it to provide solid, consistent reinforcement to a property.
• Other buildings - steel is one for incredible strength but many steel fabricators are specialists at welding steel beams into bespoke structural frames. These are known as steel frame buildings, and often form the entire frame of a structure to be built around. Some examples are agricultural buildings, warehouses and garages.
• Bridges - steel makes an excellent material to support applications for large bridges. Its tremendous strength-to-weight ratio helps it withstand large loads. 

It’s clear to see how versatile steel is, both in the shapes it can come in, as well as what it can be used for. 

There are various steel beam sizes and shapes available to buy from local steel fabricators, but in today’s climate, there is an easier and more efficient way to buy steel. 

Where Can I Buy Steel Beams Online?

To order steel online, look no further than Buy A Beam. Via our online store, customers can enter their delivery postcode and choose a local steel supplier to handle the order. From that window, you can browse a range of products, from mild steel flat bars to steel pipe and tube, to add to your order. 

Our online store comes with a built-in steel calculator, which automatically works out prices for the sizes of steel beams you require. If you want to find out more about how Buy A Beam works, then get in touch with our team today.