An H-beam is a structural steel section shaped like the letter “H” when viewed from the end. It has:
- Two flanges (the top and bottom horizontal parts)
- One web (the vertical middle part)
H-beams are designed to resist bending and carry loads over spans, while also performing well as columns because of their strong, balanced shape.
You may also hear terms like:
- Wide flange beam (W-beam)
- Universal beam (UB) (common naming in some markets)
- H-section / H iron
Naming depends on the supplier and standard used, but the purpose is the same: strong, reliable framing.
