In a world conquered by industrialization, it is impossible to imagine life without structural steel fabrication. From gravity-defying skyscrapers to structurally amazing bridges—structural steel has changed the way we look at architecture, design, and engineering.
Learning the different shapes and uses of structural steel fabrication is crucial to fully understand the functionality of structural steel.
Following are the types of structural steel beams widely used for a variety of industrial applications:
- American Standard Beams (S-Shaped)
American standard beam (known as S beam or S shape) has a rolled section with two parallel flanges connected by a web. Its flanges are relatively narrow. The designation of the beam tells the builder the width and weight of the unit. As an example, S18x70 indicates that the steel beam is 18 inches deep and weighs 70 pounds per foot.
- Angle Steel Beams (L-Shaped)
Angle steel beams are “L” shaped with two legs usually angled at 90 degrees. The legs of angle beams can be equal or unequal in length. L shaped beams are used for framing, brackets, trim and reinforcements as they have the reduced structural depth.
- Bearing Pile (H-Shaped)
Bearing piles are designed with an H-shaped that are driven in the ground for deep foundation applications to support large buildings. Other uses of bearing piles include “soldier beam and lagging" construction in braced excavations like building and subway foundations. Each bearing pile can bear more than 1,000 tons of weight.
- Channel Steel Beams (C-Shaped)
Characterized by a C-shaped cross-section, channels have top and bottom flanges, with a web joining them. They are ideal for short- to medium-span structures. Channels can be seen used in the construction of buildings for structural support.
- Hollow Steel Section Steel Beams (HSS)
HSS is easily recognized with its hollow tubular cross-section. HSS units can be square, rectangular, circular, or elliptical in shape. This type of steel beam is commonly used in welded steel frames to bear the loading in different directions.
- I-beam
An I-beam has two horizontal elements, the flanges, with a vertical element as the web. The horizontal flanges resist most of the beam’s bending movement while the web can resist shear forces. I-beams are commonly used as the main framework or critical support trusses in buildings. They ensure the structure's integrity with unrelenting strength and support.
- Tee Steel Beams (T Beam)
With a T-shaped cross-section, a tee beam is a load-bearing beam. The flange is the horizontal part and the web is the vertical element. The design of tee beams enables them to survive large loads but they lack the bottom flange to deal with tensile forces.
- Structural pipes
Pipes are hollow, cylindrical tubes used for a variety of construction applications, offering strength, and stability. They are often used in the oil and gas industry.
Indeed, each steel beam is uniquely designed offering specific advantages which translates into robust structures.
Scarboro Steel Works offers structural steel fabrication services for structural steel, stairs, and architectural metal fabrication. We also specialize in structural steel erection, focusing on completing residential, commercial and industrial projects throughout the GTA and surrounding areas to our client's complete satisfaction.