H-beam vs I-beam Steel: 14 Differences Explained

H Beams vs I Beams

I-beams and H-beams are both structural steel components used in construction and engineering. The key difference lies in their shapes: an I-beam resembles the letter “I” with a slender center flanked by two wider sections, while an H-beam, resembling the letter “H”, has equal width and height.

I-beams are typically lighter and more economical, ideal for buildings with long spans.

Conversely, H-beams are stronger and resist bending better, suitable for load-bearing walls or large-scale construction projects.

First, in terms of appearance, the inner surface of the flange (also known as the “leg”) of the H-beam has no inclination, with parallel upper and lower surfaces. In contrast, the inner surface of the flange of the I-beam is inclined, resulting in a thinner exterior and thicker interior. This structural difference results in distinct load-bearing performance. The H-beam, with its parallel flange surfaces and no inclination, has superior sectional properties compared to traditional I-beams.

Second, regarding application scope, H-beams, with their excellent sectional properties and broad applicability, are widely used in steel structure buildings. They can be used for piles, columns, beams, among other structures. On the other hand, while I-beams can also be used for beams and similar structures, their application is relatively limited.

Furthermore, from a manufacturing perspective, the rolling process of H-beams is different from that of ordinary I-beams, which use only one set of horizontal rolls. Due to its wider flange with no inclination (or very slight inclination), an additional set of vertical rolls is required for H-beams. This distinction in rolling process is a significant difference between the two.

Lastly, in terms of material requirements, I-beams, primarily used in the mechanical industry, demand high-strength materials. In contrast, H-beams, due to their widespread applicability and cost-effectiveness, are utilized across various fields.

In conclusion, the main differences between I-beams and H-beams lie in their structural shape, application scope, manufacturing process, and material requirements.

Here is a table comparing H-beam steel and I-beam steel:

Related reading: online H-beam & I-beam Weight Calculator

Differences Between H-beam and I-beam Steel

1. Cross-sectional Dimensions

I-beams, whether standard or lightweight, have relatively high and narrow cross-sectional dimensions. This results in a significant difference in the moment of inertia of the two main flanges.

Therefore, they are generally used directly in components that bend within the plane of the web or as part of a lattice-type structural component. They are unsuitable for axially compressed components or components bending perpendicular to the web plane, limiting their application scope.

2. Applications

H-beam steel is a type of efficient and economical profile (along with cold-formed thin-walled steel, profiled steel sheets, etc.) with a logically structured cross-section, enabling steel to perform more effectively and increase its bearing capacity.

Unlike standard I-beams, H-beams have wider flanges and usually parallel inner and outer surfaces, facilitating connections with high-strength bolts and other components. They come in a comprehensive range of sizes and models, making design and selection easier (except for I-beams used in crane beams).

3. Flange Width

H-beam steel has flanges of equal thickness, available in rolled sections or assembled sections welded from three plates. I-beams are rolled sections with a 1:10 slope inside the flanges due to production process variations.

The rolling of H-beams, unlike standard I-beams which use a set of horizontal rolls, requires an additional set of vertical rolls due to their wider flanges and minimal (or no) slope. This makes the rolling process and equipment more complex than standard mills. The largest H-beam that can be produced domestically is 800mm high; anything larger is an assembled section.

4. Suitability for Compression and Bending

China’s national standard for hot-rolled H-beams (GB/T11263-1998) categorizes them into narrow flange, wide flange, and steel pile types, coded as hz, hk, and hu, respectively.

Narrow flange H-beams are suitable for beams or bending components, while wide flange H-beams and H-piles are suitable for axially compressed components or bending components. Compared to I-beams, H-beams offer better performance in terms of weight, w, ix, and iy.

5. Force Bearing Direction

I-beams have smaller flange widths and greater heights, capable of bearing unidirectional forces.

6. Stability in Steel Structure Buildings

H-beams, with deeper grooves and thicker flanges, can withstand forces in two directions.

7. Use in Structural Components

With the development of steel structure buildings, I-beams alone are insufficient. Even thickened I-beams used as load-bearing columns can become unstable.

8. Cross-sectional Mechanical Properties

I-beams can only be used for beams, while H-beams are suitable for load-bearing columns in structures.

9. Flange Thickness

H-beams, with their cross-sectional mechanical properties superior to I-beams, are named for their resemblance to the letter “H.” Hot-rolled H-beams have wider flanges than I-beams, offering greater lateral stiffness and bending resistance.

H-beams are lighter than I-beams of the same specifications. The manufacturing principle is well-explained, with noteworthy content.

10. Manufacturing Process

The flanges of I-beams vary in thickness, being thicker near the web and thinner externally; H-beam flanges have uniform thickness.

11. Specific Types and Uses

HW, HM, HN – H is the general term for H-beams, which are welded; HW, HM, HN are hot-rolled.

12. HW – Specific Use

HW indicates H-beams with roughly equal height and flange width; primarily used as rigid steel columns in reinforced concrete frame structures or as main columns in steel structures.

13. HM – Specific Use

HM indicates H-beams with a height to flange width ratio of approximately 1.33 to 1.75; mainly used in steel structures as frame columns or frame beams in dynamically loaded frameworks, such as equipment platforms.

14. HN – Specific Use

HN indicates H-beams with a height to flange width ratio of 2 or more; primarily used for beams, with I-beams serving a similar purpose as HN beams.

In the world of construction and engineering, H-beam and I-beam steel are two of the most commonly used structural support elements.

Both beams offer unique advantages and characteristics, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.

The importance of selecting the right beam for your project cannot be overstated, as this decision can significantly impact the project’s structural integrity, cost, and overall success.

It is frequently asked how to choose between I-beam and H-beam, since they appear similar in shape.

However, many experienced individuals in the construction industry struggle to provide a clear explanation.

What Are the Specific Differences in Load-Bearing Performance Between I-Beams and H-Beams?

The specific differences in load-bearing performance between I-beams and H-beams are mainly reflected in the following aspects:

Direction of load-bearing:

H-beams, with larger groove depth and thickness, can withstand forces in two directions, while I-beams are primarily used for crossbeams, with their load-bearing capacity mainly manifested in the vertical direction. This means that H-beams offer more flexibility in structural design, adapting to more complex application scenarios.

Mechanical properties:

H-beams, due to their economically reasonable cross-sectional shape, have superior mechanical properties. During rolling, the extension at each point on the section is more uniform, with smaller internal stress, compared to ordinary I-beams. They have a larger section modulus, lighter weight, and save more metal. This suggests that under the same conditions, H-beams might provide better load-bearing capacity and stability.

Convenience of construction:

The welding and splicing of H-beams is simpler than I-beams, with better mechanical properties per unit weight, saving a considerable amount of materials and construction time. This is crucial for improving construction efficiency and reducing costs.

Load-bearing capacity:

Although under specific conditions (such as b=h, same size), the load-bearing capacity of square steel materials might be slightly higher than H-beams, through rational structural organization, H-beams can achieve effects similar to square steel, and are more economical in some cases. This shows that H-beams have higher flexibility and economy in design and application.

In terms of load-bearing performance, H-beams offer better multidirectional load-bearing capacity, superior mechanical properties, higher construction efficiency, and economy compared to I-beams. These differences make H-beams a preferred material in many engineering applications.

What Distinguishes the Vertical Rolling Process of H-Beam Steel From the Horizontal Rolling Process of Ordinary I-Beam Steel?

The key difference between the vertical rolling process of H-beam steel and the horizontal rolling process of ordinary I-beam steel lies in the fact that due to the wider flanges of the H-beam steel, which have no slope (or very little slope), an additional set of vertical rolls is required during the rolling process.

This design makes the rolling process and equipment of H-beam steel much more complex than the horizontal rolls of ordinary I-beam steel. Specifically, the web of H-beam steel is rolled to a stop between the upper and lower degree rolls, while the flanges are simultaneously rolled into shape between the horizontal roll side and the vertical roll.

This unique rolling method is determined by the structural characteristics of H-beam steel, that is, its flanges are wider and have no slope (or a small slope), so an additional set of vertical rolls must be added to complete the rolling process.

In contrast, ordinary I-beam steel only uses one set of horizontal rolls for rolling, resulting in significant differences in production technology and equipment configuration between the two.

Which Materials Are Currently the Most Popular for I-Beams and H-Beams on the Market?

The most popular materials for I-beams and H-beams on the market primarily include Q235, Q235B, Q345, Q235A, and 304 stainless steel, among others. Q235B, in particular, is frequently mentioned due to its wide range of applications and cost-effectiveness, indicating its high popularity.

Additionally, stainless steel I-beams (such as those made from 201-grade material) are also gaining attention due to their specific application requirements, especially in sectors like hardware products, medical machinery, and food machinery.

Q235B and stainless steel (such as 201-grade material) are currently the most popular materials for I-beams and H-beams on the market.

How to Choose Between Using I-Beam or H-Beam Based on Engineering Requirements?

Choosing between I-beam steel or H-beam steel primarily depends on the specific characteristics of the engineering requirements. Here’s an analysis based on the information I’ve gathered:

Load-bearing capacity:

If the project requires bearing a larger load, I-beam steel may be a better choice. I-beam steel has a strong load-bearing capacity, suitable for building structures that need to bear heavy loads.

Structural stability:

For projects requiring higher strength and more stable structures, H-beam steel may be more suitable. The cross-section of H-beam steel is wider, providing better structural stability.

Shape and structural features:

The cross-section shape of H-beam steel resembles the letter “H”, with relatively thin upper and lower flanges and web, and the connections are made using welded seams. It’s mainly used for load-bearing structures and building structures. On the other hand, I-beam steel has a curvature, different from the standard right-angle shape of H-beam steel. This means that these shape and structural features need to be considered in the design process.

Economic factors:

Wide flange I-beam steel, also known as H-beam steel, is an economical section steel, rolled on a four-roll mill. This suggests that in terms of cost-effectiveness, both have their advantages, but which is more economical may depend on various factors such as production cost, transportation cost, and installation cost.

Usage differences:

Due to significant differences in manufacturing processes and product characteristics, the uses of I-beam steel and H-beam steel also differ. Therefore, when purchasing, choose the corresponding profile according to design requirements.

The choice between I-beam steel and H-beam steel should consider the project’s load-bearing requirements, structural stability requirements, shape and structural features, economic factors, and specific usage differences. It’s advised to thoroughly assess each factor and possibly consult professional opinions before making a decision.