H beam dimensions vary widely, with common sizes ranging from 150×150 mm to 400×400 mm. Standard dimensions include height, flange width, web thickness, and flange thickness, all customizable to meet specific structural needs.
Wide Flange Series
| Classification (Height × Flange width) | Standard cross-section dimensions (mm) | Cross-sectional area(cm3） | Unit mass (kg/m) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H×B | t1 | t2 | r | |||
| 100×100 | *100×100 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 21.59 | 16.9 |
| 125×125 | 125×125 | 6.5 | 9 | 8 | 30.00 | 23.6 |
| 150×150 | 150×150 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 39.65 | 31.1 |
| 175×175 | 175×175 | 7.5 | 11 | 13 | 51.43 | 40.4 |
| 200×200 | 200×200 *200×204 | 8 12 | 12 12 | 13 13 | 63.53 71.53 | 49.9 56.2 |
| 250×250 | *244×252 250×250 *250×255 | 11 9 14 | 11 14 14 | 13 13 13 | 81.31 91.43 103.9 | 63.8 71.8 81.6 |
| 300×300 | *294×302 300×300 *300×305 | 12 10 15 | 12 15 15 | 13 13 13 | 106.3 118.5 133.4 | 83.4 93.0 105.0 |
| 350×350 | *344×348 *344×354 350×350 | 10 16 12 | 16 16 19 | 13 13 13 | 144.0 164.6 171.9 | 113.0 129.0 135.0 |
| 400×400 | 400×400 | 13 | 21 | 22 | 218.7 | 172.0 |
| Classification (Height × Flange width) | Reference | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second moment of area(cm4) | Radius of gyration of area(cm) | Section modulus(cm3) | ||||
| lx | ly | ix | iy | zx | zy | |
| 100×100 | 378 | 134 | 4.18 | 2.49 | 75.6 | 26.7 |
| 125×125 | 839 | 293 | 5.29 | 3.13 | 134.0 | 46.9 |
| 150×150 | 1,620 | 563 | 6.40 | 3.77 | 216.0 | 75.1 |
| 175×175 | 2,900 | 984 | 7.50 | 4.37 | 331.0 | 112.0 |
| 200×200 | 4,720 4,980 | 1,600 1,700 | 8.62 8.35 | 5.02 4.88 | 472.0 498.0 | 160.0 167.0 |
| 250×250 | 8,700 10,700 11,400 | 2,940 3,650 3,880 | 10.30 10.80 10.50 | 6.01 6.32 6.11 | 713.0 860.0 912.0 | 233.0 292.0 304.0 |
| 300×300 | 16,600 20,200 21,300 | 5,510 6,750 7,100 | 12.50 13.10 12.60 | 7.20 7.55 7.30 | 1,130.0 1,350.0 1,420.0 | 365.0 450.0 466.0 |
| 350×350 | 32,800 34,900 39,800 | 11,200 11,800 13,600 | 15.10 14.60 15.20 | 8.84 8.48 8.89 | 1,910.0 2,030.0 2,280.0 | 646.0 669.0 776.0 |
| 400×400 | 66,600 | 22,400 | 17.50 | 10.10 | 3,330.0 | 1,120.0 |
Medium Flange Series
| Classification (Height × Flange width) | Standard cross-section dimensions（mm） | Cross-sectional area(cm3） | Unit mass (kg/m) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H×B | t1 | t2 | r | |||
| 200×150 | 194×150 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 38.11 | 29.9 |
| 250×175 | 244×175 | 7 | 11 | 13 | 55.49 | 43.6 |
| 300×200 | 294×200 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 71.05 | 55.8 |
| 350×250 | 340×250 | 9 | 14 | 13 | 99.53 | 78.1 |
| 400×300 | 390×300 | 10 | 16 | 13 | 133.30 | 105 |
| 450×300 | 440×300 | 11 | 18 | 13 | 153.90 | 121 |
| 500×300 | 482×300 488×300 | 11 11 | 15 18 | 13 13 | 141.2 159.2 | 111 125 |
| 600×300 | 582×300 588×300 594×302 | 12 12 14 | 17 20 23 | 13 13 13 | 169.20 187.20 217.10 | 133 147 170 |
| 700×300 | 692×300 700×300 | 13 13 | 20 24 | 18 18 | 207.50 231.50 | 163 182 |
| 800×300 | 792×300 800×300 | 14 14 | 22 26 | 18 18 | 239.50 263.50 | 188 207 |
| 900×300 | *890×299 900×300 *912×302 | 15 16 18 | 23 28 34 | 18 18 18 | 266.90 305.80 360.10 | 210 240 283 |
| Classification (Height × Flange width) | Reference | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second moment of area(cm4) | Radius of gyration of area(cm) | Section modulus(cm3) | ||||
| lx | ly | ix | iy | zx | zy | |
| 200×150 | 2,630 | 507 | 8.30 | 3.65 | 271 | 67.6 |
| 250×175 | 6,040 | 984 | 10.40 | 4.21 | 495 | 112 |
| 300×200 | 11,100 | 1,600 | 12.50 | 4.75 | 756 | 160 |
| 350×250 | 21,200 | 3,650 | 14.60 | 6.05 | 1,250 | 292 |
| 400×300 | 37,900 | 7,200 | 16.90 | 7.35 | 1,940 | 480 |
| 450×300 | 54,700 | 8,110 | 18.90 | 7.26 | 2,490 | 540 |
| 500×300 | 58,300 68,900 | 6,760 8,110 | 20.30 20.80 | 6.92 7.14 | 2,420 2,820 | 450 540 |
| 600×300 | 98,900 114,000 134,000 | 7,660 9,010 10,600 | 24.20 24.70 24.80 | 6.73 6.94 6.98 | 3,400 3,890 4,500 | 511 601 700 |
| 700×300 | 168,000 197,000 | 9,020 10,800 | 28.50 29.20 | 6.59 6.83 | 4,870 5,640 | 601 721 |
| 800×300 | 248,000 286,000 | 9,920 11,700 | 32.20 33.00 | 6.44 6.67 | 6,270 7,160 | 661 781 |
| 900×300 | 339,000 404,000 491,000 | 10,300 12,600 15,700 | 35.60 36.40 36.90 | 6.20 6.43 6.59 | 7,610 8,990 10,800 | 687 842 1.040 |
Narrow Flange Series
| Classification (Height × Flange width) | Standard cross-section dimensions（mm） | Cross-sectional area(cm3） | Unit mass (kg/m) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H×B | t1 | t2 | r | |||
| 200×100 | *198×99 200×100 | 4.5 5.5 | 7 8 | 8 8 | 22.69 26.67 | 17.8 20.9 |
| 250×125 | 248×124 250×125 | 5 6 | 8 9 | 8 8 | 31.99 36.97 | 25.1 29.0 |
| 300×150 | 298×149 300×150 | 5.5 6.5 | 8 9 | 13 13 | 40.80 46.78 | 32.0 36.7 |
| 350×175 | 346×174 350×175 | 6 7 | 9 11 | 13 13 | 52.45 62.91 | 41.2 49.4 |
| 400×200 | 396×199 400×200 | 7 8 | 11 13 | 13 13 | 71.41 83.37 | 56.1 65.4 |
| 450×200 | 446×199 450×200 | 8 9 | 12 14 | 13 13 | 82.97 95.43 | 65.1 74.9 |
| 500×200 | 496×199 500×200 *506×201 | 9 10 11 | 14 16 19 | 13 13 13 | 99.29 112.30 129.30 | 77.9 88.2 102.0 |
| 600×200 | 596×199 600×200 *606×201 | 10 11 12 | 15 17 20 | 13 13 13 | 117.80 131.70 149.80 | 92.5 103.0 118.0 |
| Classification (Height × Flange width) | Reference | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second moment of area(cm4) | Radius of gyration of area(cm) | Section modulus(cm3) | ||||
| lx | ly | ix | iy | zx | zy | |
| 200×100 | 1,540 1,810 | 113 134 | 8.25 8.23 | 2.24 2.24 | 156 181 | 22.9 26.7 |
| 250×125 | 3,450 3,960 | 255 294 | 10.40 10.40 | 2.82 2.82 | 278 317 | 41.1 47.0 |
| 300×150 | 6,320 7,210 | 442 508 | 12.40 12.40 | 3.29 3.29 | 424 481 | 59.3 67.7 |
| 350×175 | 11,000 13,500 | 791 984 | 14.50 14.60 | 3.88 3.96 | 638 771 | 91.0 112.0 |
| 400×200 | 19,800 23,500 | 1,450 1,740 | 16.60 16.80 | 4.50 4.56 | 999 1.170 | 145.0 174.0 |
| 450×200 | 28,100 32,900 | 1,580 1,870 | 18.40 18.60 | 4.36 4.43 | 1,260 1,460 | 159.0 187.0 |
| 500×200 | 40,800 46,800 55,500 | 1,840 2,140 2,580 | 20.30 20.40 20.70 | 4.31 4.36 4.46 | 1,650 1,870 2,190 | 185.0 214.0 256.0 |
| 600×200 | 66,600 75,600 88,300 | 1,980 2,270 2,720 | 23.80 24.00 24.30 | 4.10 4.16 4.26 | 2,240 2,520 2,910 | 199.0 227.0 270.0 |
Wide Flange Series (W-Section)
The wide flange H-beam series, often referred to as W-sections, are designed for maximum strength and are commonly used in heavy-load applications. These beams feature wide flanges that provide superior load distribution, enabling them to support large weights over extended spans.
While their strength is a significant advantage, it’s important to select the correct dimensions to ensure optimal performance without introducing unnecessary weight or cost.
Key Dimensions of Wide Flange Series
Wide flange H-beams typically have a larger flange width compared to their web height. Common dimensions range from flange widths of 6 to 12 inches, with web depths ranging from 10 inches to over 20 inches. The larger the flange, the higher the load-bearing capacity, which is ideal for structures requiring high strength and stability.
Common Uses of Wide Flange H-Beams
W-sections are commonly used in heavy-duty applications such as the construction of skyscrapers, bridges, and industrial buildings. Their ability to handle substantial loads without additional support makes them essential in large-scale infrastructure projects. They are often used for the primary structure in high-rise buildings, as well as in long-span bridges and railways.
Pros and Cons of Wide Flange Series
The primary advantage of W-sections is their impressive load-bearing capacity, making them ideal for demanding applications. However, the downside is their increased weight, which complicates transportation and installation.
Additionally, the cost of production is higher due to the larger material used, making them less cost-effective for smaller projects. Therefore, while W-sections are the go-to choice for heavy-duty applications, they may not be the best option for projects with limited budgets or space constraints.
Medium Flange Series (M-Section)
The medium flange series, or M-sections, strike a balance between strength and weight, making them a versatile choice in both light and medium-duty structures. These beams offer a compromise between the heavy-duty wide flange series and the lightweight narrow flange series.
Key Dimensions of Medium Flange Series
M-sections typically have flange widths ranging from 4 to 8 inches, with web depths between 6 and 16 inches. This balanced design provides adequate load-bearing capacity while maintaining a manageable weight.
Applications for Medium Flange H-Beams
M-sections are commonly used in buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure projects where moderate load-bearing capacity is needed. They are often selected for mid-sized projects, such as commercial buildings or small bridges.
Pros and Cons of Medium Flange Series
M-sections offer a good balance between strength and weight, making them cost-effective for medium-duty applications. However, they may not provide the same extreme strength as wide flange beams, limiting their use in heavy-duty projects.
Narrow Flange Series (S-Section)
Narrow flange H-beams, or S-sections, are typically used in situations where space constraints are critical or where lighter weight is desired. These beams offer a compact and efficient design, making them ideal for projects with limited space.
Key Dimensions of Narrow Flange Series
S-sections usually have flange widths between 3 to 6 inches, with web depths ranging from 6 to 12 inches. This design ensures a lightweight beam while still offering sufficient strength for certain applications.
When to Choose Narrow Flange H-Beams
Narrow flange H-beams are ideal for projects where space is limited, such as in tight building frameworks, smaller bridges, or industrial settings requiring lighter beams.
Pros and Cons of Narrow Flange Series
The main advantage of narrow flange H-beams is their reduced weight, making them easier to handle and install. However, this comes with the tradeoff of lower load-bearing capacity, limiting their use in heavy-duty applications.
Comparison of Flange Series
Choosing the right flange series depends on the specific structural requirements, such as load-bearing capacity and available space. Each flange series—wide, medium, and narrow—offers distinct advantages and tradeoffs.
Load-Bearing Capacity
Wide flange beams provide the highest load-bearing capacity, ideal for heavy-duty applications. Medium flange beams offer moderate capacity, suitable for mid-sized projects, while narrow flange beams handle lighter loads.
Weight Considerations
Wide flange beams are the heaviest, making them more challenging to transport and install. Medium flange beams strike a balance between strength and weight, whereas narrow flange beams are lightweight, ideal for space-constrained projects.
Structural Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness
Wide flange beams are the most efficient in terms of strength but come at a higher cost. Medium flange beams offer a good balance of strength and cost, while narrow flange beams are the most cost-effective for smaller projects, though they lack the load-bearing capacity of the other series.
What are H-Beams?
H-beams, also known as I-beams, are a fundamental component of construction, recognized for their distinctive shape that resembles the letter “H.” This shape isn’t just for aesthetics—it provides incredible strength and support.
These beams are widely used in both residential and commercial construction, bridges, and infrastructure projects. They are designed to bear heavy loads and maintain structural stability, which makes them a preferred choice in construction.
The key to the H-beam’s efficiency lies in its design. The vertical section (the web) supports the load, while the horizontal sections (the flanges) distribute the stress.
This structure enables H-beams to support large amounts of weight with relatively less material, making them both cost-effective and strong. However, the dimensions of the flanges play a crucial role in determining the beam’s capacity and application.
Why H-Beam Dimensions Matter
Understanding the dimensions of H-beams is essential when choosing the right beam for your project. The flange size, particularly, influences the beam’s strength, weight, and how it can be used.
Flange width and thickness must be carefully selected to match the load-bearing needs of your structure. The tradeoff here is often between strength and weight—wider flanges offer higher strength but can increase the beam’s weight, which may not always be ideal in projects where space or weight limits are a factor.
The Tradeoff Between Flange Width and Strength
Choosing the right dimensions for your H-beam involves balancing various factors. For example, a wide flange series is ideal for high-load applications, such as large buildings or bridges, because it provides significant strength.
However, this comes with an increase in weight, which can be a disadvantage in projects with height restrictions or where weight needs to be minimized. On the other hand, narrow flange series are lighter and more compact, which is advantageous in space-constrained environments but may not offer the same load-bearing capacity.
The Challenges of Selecting H-Beam Dimensions
Selecting the appropriate H-beam dimensions can be challenging due to the many factors involved. Not only must you consider load-bearing requirements, but also material availability, cost, and the structural constraints of your project.
For instance, a larger, heavier H-beam may seem like the best option for maximum strength, but it could complicate transportation, increase construction costs, and require additional support.
It’s vital to weigh these trade-offs before making a decision. A small mistake in selecting the right dimensions could lead to costly delays or even structural failure. In conclusion, understanding the unique dimensions of H-beams and their tradeoffs is essential for making the best choice for your project.
It’s not just about picking the largest or strongest beam—it’s about finding the perfect balance to ensure your project’s success. Consider the impact of each choice carefully to meet both structural and budgetary requirements while maintaining safety and integrity.
Importance of H-Beam Flange Dimensions
The flange dimensions of H-beams determine their overall strength and suitability for specific structural tasks. Wider flanges generally offer higher strength, making them ideal for heavy-duty applications like bridges and skyscrapers.
However, they also increase the beam’s weight, complicating transportation and installation. On the other hand, narrower flanges reduce weight and are beneficial when space is constrained or when lighter beams are needed.
The tradeoff is that narrower beams have less load-bearing capacity, which may not be sufficient for high-load applications. Choosing the right flange dimensions involves balancing strength, weight, and cost.
Engineers must consider the specific load requirements, the space available, and the practical challenges associated with installation. A heavy, wide-flange beam may provide superior strength but could result in higher material costs and logistical difficulties.
Conversely, a narrow-flange beam may be more cost-effective and easier to handle, but it might not meet the structural demands of certain projects.
How to Select the Right H-Beam Series
Selecting the appropriate H-beam series requires understanding your project’s specific load requirements, space limitations, and design preferences. By carefully evaluating these factors, you can ensure your choice aligns with both structural needs and practical constraints.
Factors to Consider in Selection
Start by assessing the load-bearing capacity required for your project. For heavy-duty applications, a wide flange series may be necessary. Additionally, consider available space—narrow flange beams work better in confined spaces. Finally, take into account the cost, weight, and material efficiency of the beams to align with your project’s budget and logistics.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake is underestimating the load requirements, which can result in selecting an insufficient beam size. Another error is not accounting for the beam’s weight, leading to challenges during transportation or installation. Always balance strength with weight and cost to make an informed decision that ensures both performance and practicality.
Conclusion
Choosing the right H-beam series is crucial for ensuring structural integrity and performance, and understanding the differences in flange dimensions can help in making an informed decision. Balancing strength, weight, and cost is essential. By considering these factors, you can select the optimal beam for your project’s success.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between wide flange, medium flange, and narrow flange H-beams?
Wide flange H-beams (W-sections) are designed for heavy-duty applications and offer the highest load-bearing capacity but come with increased weight. Medium flange H-beams (M-sections) balance strength and weight, making them ideal for mid-sized projects. Narrow flange H-beams (S-sections) are lightweight and ideal for space-constrained environments but provide less load-bearing capacity.
2. How do I determine the right H-beam for my project?
Consider your project’s load requirements, available space, and budget. For heavy loads, wide flange beams are ideal. If space is tight or you need a lighter beam, consider narrow flange beams. Medium flange beams offer a good balance for moderate load-bearing needs and space constraints.
3. Can narrow flange H-beams handle heavy loads?
Narrow flange H-beams are designed for lighter loads. While they are more compact and lightweight, they do not provide the same strength as wide flange beams. For heavy-duty applications, wide flange or medium flange H-beams would be more appropriate.
4. What are the advantages of using medium flange H-beams?
Medium flange H-beams strike a balance between strength and weight. They are ideal for mid-sized projects where high load-bearing capacity is needed but where wide flange beams might be too heavy or costly. These beams are versatile and cost-effective for a range of applications.
5. Are wide flange H-beams more expensive than other types?
Yes, wide flange H-beams tend to be more expensive due to their larger size and increased material usage. However, they offer the highest load-bearing capacity, making them essential for heavy-duty projects like bridges and large buildings. Consider your project’s needs to determine if the added cost is justified.