H-shaped steel is used in all types of metal structures. From small applications like trailers to large applications like high-rise steel buildings, the wide-flange design and welded construction give H-beams an unparalleled strength-to-weight ratio.
The flanges of the H-section are nearly as wide as the height of the web, giving the beam an almost square cross-section. This increases the surface area, making the beam more resistant to buckling, which is why it is mainly used vertically as a column in steel structures.
