A rolled steel beam is a steel beam or profile that is hot-rolled from a single piece of steel, as opposed to a built-up or welded beam. Common examples are the HEA, HEB and IPE profiles, which serve as the standard profile for spans in buildings.
Application
A rolled steel beam is used wherever a span requires a standardised, reliable profile: above facade openings, as a floor support, or as a main beam in a steel frame. Because the profile is rolled in the steel mill in one continuous process, it has a uniform material quality and precise dimensions. The structural engineer selects the correct profile from tables based on the load and the span, giving a predictable and economical result.
Characteristics
A rolled steel beam usually has an H- or I-shaped cross section: two flanges connected by a web. This shape provides a high section modulus at relatively low weight, making the profile efficient in bending. Unlike a built-up beam, the rolled beam has no weld seams within its cross section, which benefits its strength and fatigue behaviour. For larger spans or heavier loads, built-up or welded beams are used instead.
Related terms
- steel
- beam
- column
- lintel
- structure
- foundation
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