Differences in properties and structures
The inner and outer surfaces of the flange of H-beam are straight, with no or very small slope, which makes it have strong bending resistance in all directions. In addition, H-shaped steel has a large cross-sectional modulus and light weight, which can effectively save materials and reduce construction costs.
The cross-sectional shape of I-shaped steel is I-shaped, which is a long strip of steel. I-beams are also divided into hot-rolled and lightweight types, but regardless of the type, their cross-sectional dimensions are relatively high and narrow, resulting in a significant difference in the moment of inertia on the two main axes. This characteristic makes I-beams more suitable for members subjected to bending in the plane of the web plate, but less suitable for members subjected to axial compression or bending perpendicular to the plane of the web plate.
Comparison of mechanical properties
H-beam: Due to its reasonable cross-sectional shape and right angle arrangement in all parts, H-beam has significantly better bending resistance than I-beam, about 5% -10% higher. At the same time, the flange of the H-beam is widened and the inner and outer surfaces are parallel, making it easier to use high-strength bolts and other connectors for connection, thereby improving the overall stability and load-bearing capacity of the structure. In addition, H-shaped steel has a structural weight that is 15% -20% lighter than traditional steel structures under the same cross-sectional load, which is beneficial for reducing the self weight of buildings and increasing the usable area.
I-beam: Although the cross-sectional shape of I-beam also has a certain bending resistance, its torsional resistance is relatively poor due to its narrow flange. However, the cross-section of I-beams exhibits excellent performance under direct pressure and good tensile resistance.
Differences in application fields
H-beam: Due to its excellent mechanical properties and construction convenience, H-beam is widely used in industrial building structures, civil building structures, underground construction projects, highway barrier supports, bridges, ships, lifting and transportation machinery and other fields.
I-beam: I-beams play an important role in building structures, bridges, supports, and machinery due to their unique cross-sectional shape and performance characteristics. Especially in some components that require high vertical pressure, I-beams still have irreplaceable advantages.
