Architects, construction workers, and engineers all know that – despite their apparent similarities – not all metal profiles are created equally. Different steel sections have varying cross-sectional areas, flange thicknesses, overall depths, torsional constants and so on. You must subsequently use different sections collaboratively to achieve the best structural result.
IPE beams are unique in that they offer good all-round load-bearing performance. The only real exception to this is their lateral structural capacity (i.e. their torsional resistance).
This article aims to serve as a comprehensive guide to IPE beams, answering any questions about dimensions and offering comparisons with other steel sections.
What are IPE Beams?
An IPE beam is a structural steel section with a characteristic ‘I’ or ‘H’ shape. Sections like this are described as open profiles as they comprise parallel surface flanges connected by a central element known as a web, unlike solid or hollow rectangular sections. This configuration gives IPE beams excellent resistance to compressive and flexural stress, as well as tension in the longitudinal direction.
The only steel profile to exceed IPE beams in terms of rotational performance are hollow structural sections (HSS), which are expensive and difficult to connect with other profiles.
How are IPE Beams Made?
One of the benefits of using stainless steel grades to fabricate IPE beams is the stainless group’s high compositional flexibility. This means that manufacturers have several fabrication methods available in IPE beam constriction, including extrusion, hot-rolling, or welding from individual components. Some metallurgists make the distinction that H-beams are welded together whereas I-beams are engineered from a single steel workpiece. This difference is largely semantic, however.
Common Steel Grades for IPE Beams
As mentioned, there is plenty of compositional variety when it comes to IPE beam construction. However, a primary selection of austenitic stainless steels is recommended to achieve nominal yield strengths for structural applications. These include S235, S275, and S355. We have given the European specifications here as IPE beams are engineered for truly metric dimensions.
Dimensions of European I Beams
Masteel is the UK’s leading supplier of steel IPE beams with a secure global supply chain and years of expertise. Refer to the table below to find all the information you need about our IPE beam dimensions. Or, if you have any questions not answered in this article, just contact a member of the Masteel team today.
| kg/m | Metric Dimensions | Thicknesses | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section Depth (mm) | Section Width (mm) | Web (mm) | Flange (mm) | ||
| IPE 80 | 6 | 80 | 46 | 38 | 5.2 |
| IPE 100 | 8.1 | 100 | 55 | 4.1 | 5.7 |
| IPE 120 | 10.4 | 120 | 64 | 4.4 | 6.3 |
| IPE 140 | 12.9 | 140 | 73 | 4.7 | 6.9 |
| IPE 160 | 15.8 | 160 | 82 | 5 | 7.4 |
| IPE 180 | 18.8 | 180 | 91 | 5.3 | 8 |
| IPE 200 | 22.4 | 200 | 100 | 5.6 | 8.5 |
| IPE 220 | 26.2 | 220 | 110 | 5.9 | 9.2 |
| IPE 240 | 30.7 | 240 | 120 | 6.2 | 9.8 |
| IPE 300 | 42.2 | 300 | 150 | 7.1 | 10.7 |
| IPE 330 | 49.1 | 330 | 160 | 7.5 | 11.5 |
| IPE 360 | 57.1 | 360 | 170 | 8 | 12.7 |
| IPE 400 | 66.3 | 400 | 180 | 8.6 | 13.5 |
| IPE 450 | 77.6 | 450 | 190 | 9.4 | 14.6 |
| IPE 500 | 90.7 | 500 | 200 | 10.2 | 16 |
| IPE 550 | 106 | 550 | 210 | 11.1 | 17.2 |
| IPE 600 | 122 | 600 | 220 | 12 | 19 |