Beam Question

[kjb778]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to this forum and have a relatively simple question. I was wondering what the difference between an I and H Beam is? Someone at work calls most beams H Beams and I thought generally I beams are used, but I would like to know the difference before correcting him. If anyone has a website to go to thats shows the difference please submit it. Thanks.

Kimberly

 

[cfloor]

I believe that an I-beam is what is called today a S-shape beam... that is narrowed flange, and a H-beam is what is called today a W-shape beam... a wider flanged beam.

It was readily common to distinguish the two by its name.

 

[jhardy1]

I think cfloor is right.

I am not sure if there is an official definition, but in common Australian practice, an I-Beam is taken to mean a UB (Universal Beam), and an H-Beam is a UC (Universal Column). UBs are significantly deeper than the flange width, so have an approximately I-shape section, whereas UCs have a flange width roughly equal to the depth, so have more of an H-shaped section.

 

[pmkPE]

There are also H piles, steel wide flange shaped piles that have their own unique cross section (other than that found in the AISC manual).

 

[chichuck]

cfloor has it correct.

The S-shape is distinguished by its narrower, thicker and tapered flange. Years ago it was called an I-beam.

The W-shape is distinguished by its wider, thinner, and constant thickness flange. It is sometimes called an H-beam, although this is not an official term.


Regards,


chichuck

 

[CAOranger]

It depends on which country you are in.

In US, wide flange (WF) sections are used for beams and columns (deeper for beams and alomst square for columns).
S sections are not very common.
H sections are for piles.

We do not say I beam here in US, except informally.

 

[HgTX]

But informally, we say it quite a bit. Especially when "we" includes the population at large.

Hg

 

[pappyirl]

An I beam is the correct term.

In a beam the bending stress is usually quite high. An I section has a deep thin web which means that the material in the flange is a large distance from the neutral axis. The I section is thus very economic in bending about its major axis. Hence a UB, universal beam, is an I section.

For the same amount of material a H section has a thicker web and is consequently not as deep as an equivalent I section and therefore not as efficient in bending about the major axis. H sections are generally used for columns due to their low slenderness properties i.e they have a higher minor axis bending capacity. Hence a UC, universal column, is a H section.