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Design Guide for Structural Steel Shapes

Steel is extensively used throughout the construction industry and is the most recycled product in the United States. One of its key functions is to provide structural support to building structures. Steel is designed into specific structural shapes, according to its particular use, for example, in ships, railroads, bridges or architectural structures.

  1. Structural Steel

    • Structural steel is an approximately 98 percent iron alloy, available in a range of grades grouped according to physical properties such as strength, welding ability, corrosion resistance, malleability, and cost. Carbon steel is the most widely used grade based on its cost, although it is comparatively low in strength.

    Standard Shapes

    • Structural steel shapes are developed to give the maximum amount of strength required to support the structure, using the minimum amount of material possible. Designing standardized shapes, which are used for certain structural projects, achieves this. The steel shapes can be altered based on the needs of the project designer.

    Designs

    • Several types of structural steel shapes are available, including the wide flange or W-shape, the American standard channel or C-shape and the American standard I-beam or S-shape. Other common shapes include the angle bar, the T-bar and the Z-bar. For load bearing beams and columns, the W-shape is most widely applied because its large cross-sectional area provides superior strength.

    Characteristics

    • Structural steel shapes are designed according to characteristics such as length, thickness, area, curvature and slope and vary according to intended purpose. For example, the L-shaped angle bar is used to support or connect other structural shapes, so the legs are designed with either equal or unequal lengths but always with the same thickness.

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