What Are H-Beam And I-Beam
What Is H-Beam？
H-beam is an engineering skeleton material with high load-bearing efficiency and lightweight design. It is particularly suitable for modern steel structures with large spans and high loads. Its standardized specifications and mechanical advantages are driving engineering technology innovation in the fields of construction, bridges, energy, etc.
What Is I-Beam？
I-beam is an economical unidirectional bending structural material. Due to its low cost and easy processing, it is widely used in scenarios such as secondary beams in buildings and mechanical supports. However, it is inferior to H-beam in torsional resistance and multi-directional load-bearing, and its selection must be strictly based on mechanical requirements.
Difference Of H-Beam and I-Beam
Essential difference
H-Beam:The flanges (upper and lower horizontal sections) of an H-beam are parallel and of uniform thickness, forming a square "H"-shaped cross-section. They offer excellent bending and torsional resistance, making them suitable for core load-bearing structures.
I-Beam:The flanges of an I-beam are narrower on the inside and wider on the outside, with a slope (typically 8% to 14%). They have an "I"-shaped cross-section, focusing on unidirectional bending resistance and economy, and are often used for lightly loaded secondary beams.
Detailed comparison
H-Beam:H-shaped steel is a torsion-resistant box structure composed of uniformly wide and thick parallel flanges and vertical webs. It has comprehensive mechanical properties (excellent bending, torsion, and pressure resistance), but its cost is relatively high. It is mainly used in core load-bearing scenarios such as high-rise building columns, large-span factory roof trusses, and heavy crane beams.
I-Beam:I-beams save materials and reduce costs thanks to their flange slope design. They are highly efficient when subjected to unidirectional bending, but have weak torsional resistance. They are suitable for lightly loaded, secondary parts such as factory secondary beams, equipment supports, and temporary structures. They are essentially an economical solution.
Application Scenarios of H-Beam and I-Beam
H-Beam:
1. Super-tall buildings (such as the Shanghai Tower) – wide-flange columns resist earthquakes and wind torque;
2. Large-span industrial plant roof trusses – high bending resistance supports heavy cranes (50 tons and up) and roof equipment;
3. Energy infrastructure – thermal power plant boiler steel frames withstand pressure and high temperatures, and wind turbine towers provide internal support to resist wind vibration;
4. Heavy-duty bridges – trusses for cross-sea bridges resist vehicle dynamic loads and seawater corrosion;
5. Heavy machinery – mining hydraulic supports and ship keels require a high-torsion and fatigue-resistant matrix.
I-Beam:
1. Industrial building roof purlins - Angled flanges efficiently support color-coated steel plates (spans <15m), with a cost 15%-20% lower than H-beams.
2. Lightweight equipment supports - Conveyor tracks and small platform frames (load capacity <5 tons) meet static load requirements.
3. Temporary structures - Construction scaffolding beams and exhibition shed support columns combine rapid assembly and disassembly with cost-effectiveness.
4. Low-load bridges - Simply supported beam bridges on rural roads (spans <20m) leverage their cost-effective bending resistance.
5. Machinery foundations - Machine tool bases and agricultural machinery frames utilize their high stiffness-to-weight ratio.
Post time: Jul-29-2025