The Various Types of Structural Steel Shapes

s-beam-steel-structural-furnace-rebuild-swanton-welding.jpg

Structural steel is one of the most flexible and versatile building materials on earth. Engineers have used
structural steel to accomplish feats thought impossible, building massive skyscrapers and expansive
bridges that have remained for hundreds of years.

To grasp the full potential of structural steel, one must understand its various shapes, sizes, and potential
uses. Here is an overview of the many faces of structural steel.

American Standard Beam (S-Shaped)

Generally known as an S beam, the American standard beam has a rolled section with two parallel
flanges, all connected by a web. The flanges on S-shaped beams are relatively narrow. The designation of
the beam gives the builder information about each unit’s width and weight. For example, S12x50
represents a beam that’s 12 inches deep and weighs 50 pounds per foot.

Angle (L-Shaped)

Angle beams take an L shape, with two legs that come together at a 90-degree angle. Angle beams come
in equal or unequal leg sizes. An unequal leg L beam may have one leg of 2x2x0.5 and one leg of 6x3x0.5,
for example. L beams are typically used in floor systems because of the reduced structural depth.

Bearing Pile (H-Shaped)

When builders can’t find a structure on a shallow foundation, they use bearing piles to design a deep
foundation system. Bearing piles are H-shaped to effectively transfer loads through the pile to the tip.
Bearing piles work best in dense soils that offer most resistance at the tip. Individual piles can bear more
than 1,000 tons of weight.

Channel (C-Shaped)

Structural C channels, or C beams, have a C-shaped cross section. Channels have top and bottom flanges,
with a web connecting them. C-shaped beams are cost-effective solutions for short- to medium-span
structures. Channel beams were originally designed for bridges, but are popular for use in marine piers
and other building applications.

Hollow Steel Section (HSS)

HSS is a metal profile that has a hollow, tubular cross section. HSS units can be square, rectangular,
circular, or elliptical. HSS structures are rounded, with radiuses that are about twice the thickness of the
wall. Engineers commonly use HSS sections in welded steel frames for which units experience loading in
different directions.

I-Beam

An I Beam, also known as an H beam or a universal beam, has two horizontal elements, the flanges, with
a vertical element as the web. The web is capable of resisting shear forces, while the horizontal flanges
resist most of the beam’s bending movement. The I shape is very effective at carrying shear and bending
loads in the web’s plane. The construction industry widely uses I beams in a variety of sizes.

Pipe

Structural steel pipes are important for a variety of construction applications, lending strength and
stability. Pipes are hollow, cylindrical tubes that come in a variety of sizes. Engineers often use steel pipes
to meet the needs of water, oil, and gas industry projects.

Tee

A tee beam, or T beam, is a load-bearing beam with a T-shaped cross section. The top of this cross
section is the flange, with the vertical web below. Tee beams can withstand large loads but lack the
bottom flange of the I Beam, giving it a disadvantage in some applications.

Custom Shapes

Today’s engineers are not limited to using only the most common shapes. Custom metal fabrication
opens the doors to a variety of special structural steel shapes for any type of project. Using state-of-the-
art tools and techniques, such as water jet, laser, and plasma cutting, metal fabricators can sculpt steel
into myriad shapes for specific needs. If you can dream it, odds are an experienced metal fabricator can
create it. To receive a free quote for custom structural steel fabrication, contact Swanton Welding, Inc.
today.

FAMOUS STEEL STRUCTURES

5. Brooklyn Bridge

Another of New York’s icons, the Brooklyn Bridge deserves a place among the top 10 as it was the very
first steel-wire suspension bridge built in 1869. The steel is so thick and construction so challenging, it
took a decade to complete

4. Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Currently the world’s tallest manmade structure, the Burj Khalifa stands at 829.8m. Using a bundled tube
design to reduce the amount of steel required, the building has 163 floors, an 11h park and a 275m long
fountain that shoots water 150m into the air. Interestingly, the amount of steel rebar used is 31,400
metric tonnes, laid end to end this would extend one quarter of the way around the globe.
3. Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the world’s largest steel arch bridge (not the longest) and is Australia’s
most renowned international symbol of Australia. The total steelwork weighs 52,800 tonnes, with 39,000
in the arch. Its 49m wide deck carries an incredible eight lanes of traffic, two train lines, a footpath and a
cyclepath

2. Empire State Building

One of New York’s most iconic buildings, the Empire State Building, was constructed in 1931 and has
been amazing people ever since. The building’s steel frame weighs a hefty 57,000 tonnes, while the
beautiful Art Deco exterior is composed of 200,000 cubic feet of limestone and granite, 10 million bricks
and 730 tonnes of aluminium and stainless steel. And, it only took 13 months to build.

1. Beijing National Stadium, Beijing

The Beijing National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest stadium, took five years to complete and was
China’s centrepiece for the 2008 Olympic Games. It is an architectural wonder constructed with more
than 42,000 tonnes of steel. It is the largest steel structure in the world.