I Beam VS Hollow Section

I beam and hollow section are both structural steel used for buildings. It is crucial for civil engineers and foremen to understand the differences between I beams and hollow sections.

I Beam:

I beam is a shape of structural steel used in buildings, its name was given so because of the resemblance of its cross-section to the letter I. These beams are frequently utilized to form beams and columns in a variety of dimensions and specifications.

Advantage of I Beam:

1. Fast process

2. Low cost

3. Work harden the beam

Hollow Structural Sections:

Hollow Structural Sections (HSS) are cold-formed welded steel tubes used in welded or bolted structures for buildings, bridges and other structures and various manufactured goods. They are available in square, round and rectangular shapes to meet structural design requirements.

Advantages of HSS:

1. Cost savings

2. Availability

3. Simple

4. Aesthetic appeal and flexibility

Differences Between I Beam and Hollow Section:

I beams are easier to connect because no matter which way they are aligned, you can usually use normal bolts and have plenty of room to work (at least for simple connections). While hollow sections often require hollow bolts, through bolts, or cutouts in the box section to allow the use of conventional bolts.

Hollow sections are made of flat plates and have to be bent/rolled into a square, rectangular or round shape, then welded, and last polished/cleaned to smooth the seams.

Basically, the I beam can be formed directly through the mold without secondary processing.

Additionally, hollow sections have built-in length limitations depending on how they are bent into the specific shape. I beams act as extruded/machined work bars and can be of unlimited length, limited only by the size of the facility.