How to determine the weight of a linear meter of I-beam

The question of the weight of a linear meter of an I-beam is relevant not only for engineers and designers but also for professionals whose activities are far removed from material strength and design.

An I-beam is a rolled metal product with an H-shaped cross-section, widely used in various fields. It is indispensable in the construction of multi-story buildings, supermarkets, large-span structures, farms, hangars, garages, private houses, and cottages. It is also used in the production of metal structures employed in the energy, industrial, or municipal sectors, as well as in supports for machines, mechanisms, bridges, and overpasses.

The high demand for I-beams is driven by their operational characteristics and low metal intensity. Their weight is significantly less than that of square or round steel, yet their resistance to various types of loads is nearly identical.

This rolled metal product has an extensive assortment that complies with numerous national and international standards. These documents contain tables with highly detailed descriptions of cross-sectional dimensions and the weight of 1 linear meter of the product. This is necessary for calculating the safety and functionality of future metal structures and allows for determining the volume of metal required for procurement.

Where to Obtain Data

The weight of an I-beam can be determined using DSTU 8768 or GOST 8239. These regulatory documents specify the assortment of hot-rolled I-beams made from structural carbon and alloyed steels with flanges having inclined inner faces. The weight per linear meter is indicated in kilograms (Table 1).

Table 1

The weight of special-purpose beams (marked with “M”) for suspended monorail tracks and for reinforcing mine shafts is determined according to DSTU 8807 and GOST 19425.

The GOST 26020 standard, which was discontinued in 2019, applied to an assortment that included column beams (Table 2), wide-flange beams (Table 3), and standard beams. The theoretical weight is calculated based on the average steel density of 7850 kg/m³.

Table 2

Table 3

The European standard EN 10345 regulates the assortment of hot-rolled structural steel I-beams and channels (Table 4).

Table 4

How to Independently Calculate the Weight of an I-Beam

In some cases, it may be necessary to calculate the weight of an I-beam independently when reference tables are unavailable. In such situations, a simple but approximate calculation is performed, representing the cross-section as three rectangles.

If the I-beam’s cross-section is symmetrical, it is sufficient to calculate the area of two rectangles that conditionally represent the web and one flange.

S_I-beam = S_web + 2S_flange. S_web = (h – 2t) * s S_flange = b * t

The mass of the I-beam is calculated using the formula:

M = S * ρ * L

where ρ is the density of steel (7790…7900 kg/m³); L is the length of the product in meters.

The error in such a calculation can range from 12 to 30%. It is preferable to use an online calculator for I-beam weight calculations. It should be noted that specialized programs may also produce errors, which can be critical for highly precise calculations and may not always be suitable.

How to Use Regulatory Documents

To calculate the weight of an I-beam, it is necessary to use the marking indicated on the beam’s web and then locate the corresponding regulatory document that governs this specific rolled metal product.

If the marking is absent, the type of rolled metal must be determined independently. This can be done using the following algorithm:

• Determine the type of product — if the beam has welded seams, it is a welded type; if absent, it is a hot-rolled I-beam.
• Determine whether the flanges are inclined or parallel.
• Measure the profile — height, web width, thickness, and beam height.
• Find the data in the regulatory document corresponding to this type of I-beam.

You can place an order for various types of I-beams online on the UTMK website or by phone.

Goods can be picked up from warehouses:

• In Ukraine: in Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Cherkasy.
• In Poland: in the cities of Warsaw, Łódź, Krakow, and Poznań.
• In Bulgaria: in the cities of Sofia, Varna, and Plovdiv.

You can also order delivery of batches starting from one ton to any city in Ukraine and throughout Europe, including Moldova, Romania, and Germany. Contact us, and our sales department will assist with selecting the rolled metal products.