Beginners Guide to Structural Steel Beams

Thanks to their versatility, strength, and affordability, structural steel beams are used in a variety of applications. Edcon Steel stocks and sells a range of structural beams, columns, and channels, which are great solutions for a range of applications, including house building and renovations, construction, infrastructure, strutting beams, floor bearer beams, verandah beams, and lintel beams and rafters.

Using Structural Steel in Housing, we have compiled a guide for beginners to assist you in choosing the right product from our range. Builder’s Steel 101 has more useful information on steel terms, ideas and applications of structural steel beams.

Benefits of structural beams

Structural steel beam offers a number of benefits for builders and homeowners alike, including:

1. Significantly lower in beam depth (or height) compared to timber: this not only provides you with more space but is important in buildings with low headroom where you need to maximise ceiling heights.
2. Minimal deflection over the long term: Steel is very stable and does not generally sag further over time. Structural beams do not bow, warp, or twist, ensuring no long-term movement problems.
3. Sustainability: Steel is infinitely recyclable. Learn more about the steel recycling journey.
4. Steel beams can be pre-cambered (charges apply). This means that after your beams come under load and deflect, they will be straight (consult with your engineer if this is of interest).

Types of structural steel beams

Universal Beams (UB)

‘I’ – Beams or H-Beams are often referred to in the industry as universal beams (UBs). UBs are made using mild steel grade 300 plus (300 MPa yield strength) and are stocked at Edcon Steel in a mill finish.

Being such a widely used product, different customers will have different names for structural beam, including H-shaped beam or H-beam, I-shaped beam or I-beam, RSJ, steel joist, steel beam or even just steels. Universal Beams are designed to carry high loads over long spans

Taper Flange Beams (TFB or RSJ)

Taper Flange Beams are very similar to the universal beams apart from the flanges, which are typically tapered at an angle of 98 degrees to the web.

Browse Edcon’s range of structural steel beams.

Universal Columns (UC)

Universal Columns have thicker and wider ‘I’ sections. As the name suggests, they are designed to carry high axial loads for uses such as columns and piles. Generally heavier than other steel sections, they are useful as supports for retaining walls and beam sections where headroom is of concern.

Parallel Flange Channels (PFC)

Parallel Flange Channels (PFC) are general purpose, hot rolled ‘C’ sections, often called a channel or a ‘C-section’. The web of a PFC is out to one edge of the flange, changing the cross-section from an ‘I’ to a ‘C’ (hence the name). It is often used for columns, lintels above doors and as simple beams supporting floor joists.

Browse Edcon’s range of structural steel channels.

Unequal Angles (UA) and Equal Angles (EA)

Both types of angles are L-shaped sections with a 90 degree corner that are perfect for use as lintels. An unequal angle is a metal angle section with two legs of unequal length, whereas an equal angle has two legs of the same length.

One leg of the ‘L’ can rest under brickwork while the other resists the bending load over the window or door opening.

Browse Edcon’s range of structural steel angles.