Which type of structural member is commonly used as beams and columns and comes in shapes such as I-shaped and C-shaped?

Which type of structural member is commonly used as beams and columns and comes in shapes such as I-shaped and C-shaped?

• A. Rolled Shapes
• B. Welded Shapes
• C. Hollow Shapes
• D. Cold-formed Shapes

Answer: (A)

Rolled shapes are standard hot-rolled steel sections produced by mills, and they include I-beams (I-shaped) and channels (C-shaped). They’re used as beams and columns because their geometry provides high bending stiffness and strength for relatively low weight, with a wide range of stock sizes and easy ways to connect to other members. The I-beam’s web and flanges maximize moment of inertia, making it excellent at resisting bending, while channels offer a versatile, readily available cross-section for various framing needs. Welded shapes, hollow shapes, and cold-formed shapes don’t typically serve as the primary heavy-beam or column members in many structural frames, as they come from different manufacturing processes or have different strength/weight characteristics.

Rolled shapes are standard hot-rolled steel sections produced by mills, and they include I-beams (I-shaped) and channels (C-shaped). They’re used as beams and columns because their geometry provides high bending stiffness and strength for relatively low weight, with a wide range of stock sizes and easy ways to connect to other members. The I-beam’s web and flanges maximize moment of inertia, making it excellent at resisting bending, while channels offer a versatile, readily available cross-section for various framing needs. Welded shapes, hollow shapes, and cold-formed shapes don’t typically serve as the primary heavy-beam or column members in many structural frames, as they come from different manufacturing processes or have different strength/weight characteristics.