I Beam
Why choose us?
After more than ten years of development, we have won a good reputation among customers in Europe, Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and other regions. We maintain cooperation with many domestic and foreign agents and distributors and look forward to your joining!
Strong Production Capacity
Tangshan Xunzhuo International Trade Co., Ltd. is a steel group company integrating the steel industry and international trade. We have 7 production lines, more than 500 employees, and a monthly production capacity of 100,000 tons, completing orders for customers efficiently and timely.
Complete Range of Products
The company's main products include galvanized steel coils, galvalume steel coils, color-coated steel coils, corrugated steel roof panels, cold-rolled hard steel, aluminum color-coated coils, tinplate, TFS and other plates as well as angle steel, channel steel, H-shaped steel, Wire rod, rebar/rebar, steel pipe, steel strip, etc.
Strict Quality Inspection
Professional technical quality inspection personnel conduct quality inspections on the products ordered by customers. From production, packaging to transportation, they carefully conduct quality tracking throughout the entire process to ensure that customers receive satisfactory products.
Professional Service
We have a professional service team and a complete sales process. All personnel in each position of the company have more than many years of foreign work experience. The overall team has professional knowledge, contract performance capabilities and risk resistance capabilities to provide customers with professional and high-quality services.
Introduction to I Beam
An I-beam is any of various structural members with an I or H-shaped cross-section. Technical terms for similar items include H-beam (for universal column, UC), w-beam (for "wide flange"), universal beam (UB), rolled steel joist (RSJ), or double-T. I-beams are typically made of structural steel and serve a wide variety of construction uses.
The dimensions of the flange and web are what influence how resilient the structural member is to different forces. A building’s structure is exposed to several forces that vary in frequency and intensity. The skeletal structure must be resistant to all of them to avoid potentially fatal and costly consequences.
There are five main forces a structural beam must resist:
Bending: Tensile and compressive stress combine to create a bending moment. Failure from bending is caused when the tensile and compressive forces exceed the yield limit of a beam.
Buckling: When a sudden change in shape due to torsional stress causes the beam to deform. This is more common when oriented as a column. Flanges are an important consideration.
Deflection: Deflection is the amount a structural beam will bow or bend when a load is applied to the length of it. The amount of deflection can be minimized by using an adequate thickness of steel for the structural beam.
Tension: Beams are subject to pulling and stretching forces. Choosing the right web thickness can help mitigate the chance of rippling or buckling.
Vibration: The use of compressors, pumps, and engines on-site causes vibration. To counteract this dynamic force, stiffer and higher-mass beams should be used.
The non-uniform cross-section of a structural beam is designed to deflect or bend under excessive load as opposed to buckling.
Design of an I Beam
An I beam is designed by using two long-drawn-out planes called flange, connected by a perpendicular component called web. The whole body of this structural member has an I or H-shaped cross-section. Alongside the steel, beams made out of aluminum alloys and low alloy steels also exist to be used for different purposes such as bridges, building frames, etc.
I beams are produced in various dimensions, thicknesses, widths, and other specs for various applications. Customers classify this kind of beam according to their material type and sizes. For instance, a 12-inch in-depth and 20 pounds/foot in weight beam is specified as 12×20. Contractors select appropriate dimensions of beams for their project’s needs. When decisions are being made, the following factors should be considered:
Deflection. The thickness should be adequate enough for minimizing the deflection.
Vibration. As little vibration as possible should be aimed when choosing. The stiffness and mass of the beam are important in this regard.
Bending. The bulk body should be strong enough to withstand yield stresses. Otherwise bending occurs.
Buckling. Torsional stresses cause I beam to buckle which can lead to undesired consequences. Flanges should be selected accordingly.
Tension. Selecting an I beam with the right web thickness is vital to prevent rippling or buckling under tension.
Types of I-beams
There are slight differences between I-beams and beams that appear to have all the same characteristics, including H-piles, Universal beams (UB), W-beams, and wide flange beams. While they all have an I-shaped cross section, and the term “universal” hints at its widespread usefulness, there are some slight differences worth noting.
I-Beams: I-beams have parallel flanges. Sometimes, these flanges taper. The legs are more narrow on I-beams than they are for H-piles and W-beams/wide flange beams. As a result, they can tolerate less weight and are available in shorter lengths - up to 100 feet versus H-piles and W-beams which can span up to 330 feet. I beams are a type of S beam.
H-Piles: H-piles are also known as bearing piles, and they look nearly identical to ibeams, but they’re heavier. They both have parallel flange surfaces, but H-piles have wider legs. Importantly, H-piles are designed with equal thicknesses across all sections of the beam and are able to withstand greater vertical loads as a result. H beams are a type of wide flange beam.
W-Beams / Wide Flange Beams: The design of the W-beam closely resembles that of the I-beam, with a key difference being in the width of the flanges. W-beams feature wider flanges, which gives them a slightly different shape and a more substantial bearing surface. This added surface makes W-beams more resistant to bending, making them an excellent choice for heavy-duty applications.
Different steel grades of I-beam are classified according to different origins and production standards, such as:
Russian Steel Grades: CT3 and others, produced according to GOST 380-88 standards.
Japanese Steel Grades: SS400 and similar types, produced according to standards SB410, JIS G 3101, 3010.
Chinese Steel Grades: Q235B, SS400, and others, produced according to standards JIS G3101, SB410.
American I-Beam Steel Grades: A36, produced according to ASTM A36 standards.
Each steel grade has its own origin and production standards, which can affect the specific properties of the steel. The choice of steel type is determined based on the specific needs and purposes of the investor.
Advantages of I Beams
Various Dimensions
There is a reason why I beams are called universal beams. They are available in an extensive range of weights, dimensions and sizes, as well as having different section depths, flange widths and web thicknesses for various purposes.
Even Weight Distribution
They are designed to handle uniform loads across the beam length, with the maximum deflection falling on the centre of the beam. This increases the tension on the sides of the beam. With the weight applied on the flange, the entire mass is distributed evenly, causing less stress to pass through the web.
Bears High Loads
As previously mentioned, the design of I beams make them capable of bending, rather than buckling, under high stress. Steel universal beams can withstand enormous loads of structures. The strength of steel in the I beam shape can also both help to reduce the need for numerous other support structures, which can help to save time in the construction. See our steel frame buildings service page for more information.
Helps in Custom Steel Fabrication
Universal steel beams are very versatile and can be used in various structural steel construction projects. Steel fabrication involves cutting, bending and shaping of steel, and steel beam fabrication is one of the most efficient processes for fulfilling orders and meeting deadlines of a project. It’s easier to use I beams during custom structural steel fabrication and welding processes for all types of construction.
Recyclable and Cost-Effective
Steel products can be recycled numerous times. What’s superb is that their strength is never compromised the longer they are used. Recycling structural steel can also help to reduce costs, saving on production expenses, materials, time and energy.
Specific Construction Applications of I Beam
Support Structures: One of the most common uses for steel beam is as support structures for various buildings. This includes both interior and exterior walls, columns, and other vertical supports that help provide the structure of a building. By using steel beam in these applications, buildings can be designed to better withstand the test of time.
Roofing: Steel beam is also popular for roofing structures, as it offers both strength and durability that other materials may not be able to match. This could include things like trusses, rafters, and even support columns for skylights.
Flooring: Steel beam is also commonly used as floor joists, which help to provide additional stability and strength to a building. This type of application is often seen in areas where the floor will be exposed to heavier weight or higher levels of traffic, as it provides an extra layer of protection against wear and tear.
Bridges: One particular application where steel beam really shines is with bridge construction. Due to its strength and durability, it’s often the go-to choice for both large and small bridges, as well as other types of crossings.
Steel beam has become one of the top choices for support structures in various types of construction projects due to its strength, affordability, and recyclability. It’s also used in a variety of different applications, from supporting walls to providing stability for floors and roofs.
How to Choose the Right I-Beam for Your Project?
Choosing the appropriate I-beam is the key to ensuring project success, which requires consideration of the following aspects:
Engineering Requirements: Based on your specific engineering requirements, determine the type of I-beam required, such as size, shape, strength, and weight.
Material: Refer to the specific requirements of the project and the expected durability, and choose the appropriate I-beam material. For example, if the project is in a marine environment, it may be necessary to choose I-beams with stronger corrosion resistance characteristics.
Quality Standards: Ensure that I-beams comply with relevant quality standards and regulatory requirements. This includes dimensional tolerances, mechanical properties, chemical composition, and surface treatment.
Cost: Compare all possible I-beam options and choose the one that meets the budget and project requirements.
Supplier: Choose a supplier with a good reputation that can provide high-quality products and good services. The selection of suppliers will affect the quality, price, maintenance, and service of I-beams.
Shape and Design
At first glance, there’s a simple way to tell the two types of beam apart. I beams have a much longer web, with the web height being greater than the width of the flanges. They also have tapered edges. This gives them the appearance of a letter “I”. Meanwhile, the web and flanges of an H beam are of similar lengths. This gives them a square shape, resembling a letter “H”.
Construction
Whilst H beams look like they’re made from just one piece of metal, they’re actually constructed from three pieces of metal. These are joined together with bevelled edges. Meanwhile, I beams are constructed from a single piece of steel.
Weight
H beams are considerably heavier than I beams. For projects that require a more lightweight option, I beams are the best choice.
Spans
The spans that steel H beams and I beams can cover varies. I beams are less flexible and may be more suitable for shorter spans. Depending on the specifications, The Metal Store stocks I beams with a span of 1m to 3m. H beams can carry larger loads over longer spans. Our H beams can cover a variety of different spans, including 1m, 1.5m, 2m and 3m.
Centre Web
The thicker the web, the stronger the beam. I beams usually feature a much thinner centre web, which means they’re more suitable for lighter loads. In contrast, H beams feature a much thicker web, so they can provide stronger support.
Strength
H beams offer a high level of strength, meaning that they can hold a heavier load. Meanwhile, I beams are usually deeper, so they provide a strong defence against buckling.
Resistance
Steel beams need to carry large loads, so they must be able to resist any bending. As H beams are generally the stronger option, they provide a much more robust defence against bending under pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
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