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The Importance of Steel Section Shapes & Bars in Structural Design

While not always obvious to most observers, the geometric design of steel section shapes and bars used in construction plays an important role. Usually named according to their cross-section shape profile, these sections are identified in steel design and construction codes around the world.

Take a closer look at the different types of structural steel shapes and learn more about their importance in structural design. If you’re in the market for high quality steel, you will find everything you need at IMS.

Structural steel shapes

The wide variety of structural steel shapes means architects, construction companies, and builders have numerous options when looking to support building and design. Steel section shapes play a vital role in ensuring buildings are safe and durable by allowing for the correct distribution of pressures and load weights. IMS offers a wide variety of structural sections, such as:

Angles: Angles are among the most basic structural steel shapes. Angles are usually used to supplement beams and main pillars, and they’re often found in structures’ corners. Angles are perpendicular L-shaped cross-sections with equal legs or unequal legs. Bars: Also known as merchant bars, these shapes are available in a few sub-categories such as flat, round, and square cross-sections, each of which can have different dimensions and properties. Bars are usually hot-rolled and cold-finished. Channels: Hot-rolled into a C-shape, channels supplement the structural support provided by main load-bearing beams. Channels are most commonly used for bracing or framing. These steel section shapes have a wider angle of attachment between the web and the flanges. Browse our parallel flange channels.

  • Angles: Angles are among the most basic structural steel shapes. Angles are usually used to supplement beams and main pillars, and they’re often found in structures’ corners. Angles are perpendicular L-shaped cross-sections with equal legs or unequal legs.
  • Bars: Also known as merchant bars, these shapes are available in a few sub-categories such as flat, round, and square cross-sections, each of which can have different dimensions and properties. Bars are usually hot-rolled and cold-finished.
  • Channels: Hot-rolled into a C-shape, channels supplement the structural support provided by main load-bearing beams. Channels are most commonly used for bracing or framing. These steel section shapes have a wider angle of attachment between the web and the flanges. Browse our parallel flange channels.

Plates: Steel plates arguably are the most basic structural steel shapes. These wide plates of continuous, solid structural steel are robust enough to withstand incredible amounts of pressure and weight. While plates have many applications, they are particularly suitable for ocean vessels. Tubing: Formed from hot-rolled steel coils, hollow tubing or circular hollow sections are available in rectangular, round or circular, and square shapes. Tubing is a versatile and lightweight alternative to solid steel section shapes. I-Beams: Also known as H-beams and universal beams, I-beams are one of the most widely used shapes of structural steel. These shapes are usually used as beams and columns. I-beams are comprised of three elements, namely two parallel flanges and the web that connects them.

  • Plates: Steel plates arguably are the most basic structural steel shapes. These wide plates of continuous, solid structural steel are robust enough to withstand incredible amounts of pressure and weight. While plates have many applications, they are particularly suitable for ocean vessels.
  • Tubing: Formed from hot-rolled steel coils, hollow tubing or circular hollow sections are available in rectangular, round or circular, and square shapes. Tubing is a versatile and lightweight alternative to solid steel section shapes.
  • I-Beams: Also known as H-beams and universal beams, I-beams are one of the most widely used shapes of structural steel. These shapes are usually used as beams and columns. I-beams are comprised of three elements, namely two parallel flanges and the web that connects them.

Why do you need different section types and shapes in structural design?

If you do not have much knowledge or experience with structural steel shapes and their applications in design and construction, you might be wondering why so many different shapes are available. There are good reasons why steel section shapes aren’t limited to basic solid shapes such as circular, rectangular, square, and other polygons.

The importance of different types of structural steel shapes comes down to load applications. These parameters control members’ structural capacity and the structural phenomena that members are subjected to. Common load applications include moment/direct bending, point loads, rotation, and uniformly distributed loads.

Different load applications subject members to one or more structural phenomena, such as compression, flexure, shear, tension, and torsion. Every steel section shape must be assessed against these phenomena, taking into account parameters such as cross-section area, moment of inertia, section modulus, thickness of flanges, web, and legs, torsional constant, and total depth.

In addition to providing valuable support to structures, structural steel shapes offer many benefits. These benefits include: Adaptability for growth Cost-effectiveness Efficiency Environmentally friendly Reliability Safety Versatility

Some More Bonuses

In addition to providing valuable support to structures, structural steel shapes offer many benefits. These benefits include:

  • Adaptability for growth
  • Cost-effectiveness
  • Efficiency
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Reliability
  • Safety
  • Versatility

Order top-quality steel section shapes

The best quality steel section shapes can make a significant difference to your construction projects. In addition to providing sure support, they can enhance the safety, aesthetic, and other elements of your projects. Browse our selection of structural steel shapes online or contact our team of experts about bespoke orders.

Posted by Craig Silvain
10th November 2023

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