The Different Types of Structural Steel
Structural Steel: The Backbone of Modern Construction
The Different Types of Structural Steel. Structural steel forms the skeleton of countless buildings and structures across the UK. Its high strength-to-weight ratio, versatility, and recyclability make it an indispensable material in construction.
Among the various types of structural steel sections, universal beams, universal columns, and parallel flange channels stand out as fundamental components in steel-framed structures.
Here’s all you need to know about these different types of structural steel.
Universal Beams (UB)
Universal beams, often abbreviated as UBs, are I-shaped sections designed to resist bending moments. These beams are characterised by their distinctive profile, consisting of two horizontal elements called flanges connected by a vertical web. The flanges are typically wider than those found in universal columns, providing excellent lateral stability and an increased surface area for connections.
UBs are the workhorses of floor and roof systems in steel-framed buildings. Their efficient shape allows them to carry substantial loads over long spans, making them ideal for creating open, column-free spaces in commercial and industrial buildings.
The Different Types of Structural Steel. The depth of a UB can vary significantly, with deeper sections offering greater load-bearing capacity at the expense of increased weight and cost.
In practice, universal beams are often used in composite construction, where they work in tandem with concrete floor slabs to enhance overall structural performance. This synergy between steel and concrete results in stiffer, stronger floors with reduced vibration characteristics – a crucial consideration in modern building design.
Universal Columns (UC)
Universal columns, or UCs, share the I-shaped profile of their beam counterparts but with a crucial difference: their width and depth dimensions are nearly equal. This square-like cross-section is optimised for axial compression, making UCs the preferred choice for vertical support elements in multi-storey buildings and heavy industrial structures.
The balanced proportions of UCs provide excellent resistance to buckling in both major and minor axes, allowing them to carry substantial vertical loads efficiently. In tall buildings, UCs often form part of the primary structural frame, working in concert with beams and bracing systems to resist lateral forces from wind and seismic activity.
UCs are not limited to purely vertical applications. In some scenarios, particularly in portal frame structures common in industrial and agricultural buildings, universal columns may be used as inclined members, forming the legs of rigid frames that span large distances without intermediate supports.
Parallel Flange Channels (PFC)
Parallel flange channels, commonly known as PFCs, are C-shaped sections with parallel inner and outer flange faces. This profile offers a combination of strength, lightweight design, and versatility that makes PFCs suitable for a wide range of structural applications.
In many steel-framed buildings, PFCs serve as secondary beams or purlins, supporting roof or floor decking between primary structural members. Their shape allows for easy connection to other elements and provides good torsional rigidity, which is particularly beneficial in resisting wind uplift forces on roof structures.
PFCs also excel as bracing members in steel frames, where their open profile facilitates straightforward bolted connections. In façade systems, they may be employed as vertical supports for cladding or curtain wall elements, leveraging their strength and ease of fixings.
Compound Sections
The Different Types of Structural Steel. While universal beams, universal columns, and parallel flange channels form the basis of many structural steel designs, engineers often need to create more robust or specialised sections to meet specific project requirements.
Compound sections address this need by combining two or more standard sections to form a single, more capable structural element.
Common examples include:
Double universal beams: two UBs placed side by side and connected with plate spacers or continuous welding. This configuration significantly increases the section’s moment of inertia about its strong axis, allowing it to span greater distances or carry heavier loads.
Battened universal columns: multiple UCs arranged parallel to each other and connected at intervals with batten plates. This arrangement enhances the overall buckling resistance of the column while maintaining some of the constructional advantages of individual sections.
Boxed sections: created by welding plates to the flanges of UBs or UCs to form a closed, rectangular profile. These sections offer excellent torsional rigidity and are often used in transfer structures or heavy industrial applications.
Structural Steel Fabricators and Suppliers
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