What is the difference between H-beam and I-beam?

　　What is the difference between H-beam and I-beam?

　　Some people often ask about the similarity in shape between I-beams and H-beams. What are the differences between them? Many people cannot explain in detail. Here is a detailed answer for everyone: Many people believe that I-beam is the domestic term and H-beam is the foreign term, but this understanding is actually incorrect. H-beam and I-beam are different in shape

　　I-beam, as the name suggests, is a type of "I-shaped" cross-sectional steel with a slope of 1:6 on the inner surface of the upper and lower flanges, making the flanges thin on the outside and thick on the inside. As a result, the cross-sectional characteristics of I-beam in the two main planes differ greatly, making it difficult to fully utilize the strength characteristics of the steel in applications. Although thickened I-beams have also appeared in the I-beam market, the structure of I-beams has determined their short torsional performance.

　　H-beam is a widely used profile in steel structure buildings today, and it has many differences compared to I-beam. Firstly, there is the flange, and secondly, the inner surface of the flange has no inclination, and the upper and lower surfaces are parallel. The cross-sectional characteristics of H-beams are significantly superior to traditional I-beams, channel steels, and angle steels.

　　H-shaped steel is a kind of economical and efficient section with more optimized section area distribution and more reasonable strength weight ratio. It is named because its section is the same as the English alphabet "H". The two outer and inner edges of the H-shaped steel have no inclination and are straight. This makes the welding and splicing of H-shaped steel easier to operate than I-shaped steel, with better mechanical properties per unit weight, which can save a lot of materials and construction time.

　　The I-beam section has good resistance to direct pressure and tension, but the section size cannot resist torsion due to the narrow wing plate. H steel, on the other hand, has its own advantages and disadvantages.