What is a H-Beam?

What is a H-Beam?

Summary

H-beam is a type of structural steel beam made from rolled steel. It has wide flanges that create a cross-section resembling an uppercase H and is used extensively in metal construction.

What is a H-Beam?

H-beam is a type of structural steel beam made from rolled steel. It has wide flanges that create a cross-section resembling an uppercase H and is used extensively in metal construction.

When it comes to steel construction (buildings, mezzanines, overhead cranes, etc), you must choose the correct steel beams. Different types of steel beams have specific properties that are better suited to certain uses.
You will likely see the term I-beam used a lot, but this is more of an umbrella name for different sizes and proportions of structural steel beams. The relationship between the flange (horizontal) and web (vertical) components is a key factor in distinguishing between different steel beams.
The problem is that there is little consistency in how manufactured steel is described.
If your construction product requires a wide-flange structural steel beam, do you need an H-beam or a W-beam? Or is an I-beam more appropriate?
In this article, we will explain exactly what an H-beam is, how it differs from a W-beam and I-beam, and what type of application it is best suited to.
What Are H-Beams Used For?
H-beams are used for all types of metal constructions. From small applications like trailers and big applications like tall steel buildings, the wide flange design and welded construction give H-beams an unparalleled strength-to-weight ratio.
The flanges of an H-beam are almost as wide as the height of the web, giving the beam an almost square cross-section. This increases the surface area making the beam more resistant to buckling which is why it is primarily used vertically as a column in steel structures.
What is the Difference Between an H-Beam and an I-Beam?
I-beams and H-beams use very different proportions of the web to flange size. Each cross-section has its advantages making them suitable for different applications.
I-beams—or S-beams depending on who you ask—have a thin and tall web with thicker flanges that are tapered at an inclination of 1:10. The flanges are quite narrow compared to the web height which is what gives them the cross-sectional shape of an uppercase I.
While they do have high strength-to-weight properties and high resistance to bending, they lack torsional strength. They are often used for support frames and columns for elevators, trailers, trolley ways, and hoists.
Similar to H-beams, I-beams are also used for structural steel buildings and bridges. However, their lower span of up to 100 feet means additional support columns may be required.
An H-beam is pound-for-pound stronger than an I-beam and well-suited to extreme environments. In addition to withstanding direct and tensile loads, H-beams generally lower the overall project cost vs I-beams because they can span longer distances with fewer support columns.  

What Structural Beam Should You Use?

Each type of structural beam has specific qualities that are better suited for different applications.
Whether you are constructing a tall building, replacing the beam for an overhead crane or building a steel mezzanine, steel will work for your project!
If you want to do more structural beam research read our article about I-beams. If you need help with an overhead crane, mezzanine, or fall protection project, our expert team is ready to answer your questions and help you maximize your production.