Structural steel is a type of steel that is used for construction purposes, and this type of steel is available in a variety of shapes. Structural steel can vary by shape, size, chemical composition, and mechanical properties, this blog post will outline some of the various structural steels available on the market.
Structural Steel Shapes
I-Beam
An I-Beam (or H-Beam) is a structural steel with an I or H shaped cross-section. The horizontal part of the beam is called a flange, and the vertical part is called a web. The web resists the shear forces, and the flange resists most of the bending moment that the beam experiences. This type of structural steel is a popular choice in construction due to its efficiency in resisting bending and shear loads.
Structural Channel
A structural channel (or C-Beam) is similar to an I-Beam as it has both flanges and webs, but the flanges only stick out of one side of the web, creating a C shaped cross-section. They are often used in building construction and civil engineering where the back side of the web can be mounted against another flat surface for a maximum contact area.
HSS
A hollow structural section (HSS) is a type of structural steel that has a hollow tubular cross section. The term HSS is commonly used in the USA, but in countries that follow British construction terminology the terms circular hollow section (CHS), square hollow section (SHS) or rectangular hollow section (RHS). These three names reference the three basic shapes that HSS steel can be supplied in.
Rectangular sections of HSS steel are commonly utilized in welded steel frames where loading is experienced in multiple directions. Circular and square HSS steel is often used for multiple-axis loading as their uniform geometry along multiple cross-sectional axis provided uniform strength characteristics.
Structural Steel Applications
Construction
The construction industry utilizes a lot of structural steel for obvious reasons. The high tensile and shear strength offered by the different sections of structural steel enable it to be utilized in the construction of buildings, ensuring a secure load.
Grades including S355JR, S355AR, S355J2/K2+N, S275JR, and S275AR are popular choices for the construction industry due to their high yield strength and versatility of use.
Offshore
Offshore structures are exposed to some of the harshest conditions, including strong winds, salt water, and powerful sea currents. Structural steel is a popular choice for the offshore industry as it promotes a safe environment, longer working life, and reduces the risk of failure.
Shipbuilding
Structural steel is a popular choice for the shipbuilding industry as it can provide a high level of strength, which helps to reduce the overall costs. Structural steel can also reduce maintenance due to the corrosion resistance properties.
Structural Steel from Masteel
Masteel supply a range of different structural steels to a variety of global industries. Our materials have high strength and high yield, and we can supply them with various finishes and testing options.
As a global steel stockholder, Masteel is an expert in sourcing the correct steel for your requirements. If you’d like any more information about our range of structural steel, please contact us.