H-beam is a kind of Economic section steel, which  sectional area distribution is more optimized, the  ratio of  strength to weight is more reasonable, Mechanical properties of section is more better.It is developed from the I-section steel optimization of a better section mechanical properties of the economic section steel, because its section is same as  the English letter "H" ,so be named as H-Beam. Because the various  part of H-beam is arranged at right angles, H-beam has the advantages of strong bending resistance, simple construction, cost saving and light structural weight in all directions, so it has been widely used.

H-beam as a new type of economic construction steel. The section shape of H-beam steel is economical and reasonable, the mechanical properties are good, and the elongation of each point on the section is  uniform and the internal stress is small. Compared with the ordinary I-beam steel, it has the advantages of more large section modulus,more light weight and more saving metal, which can reduce the building structure by 30-40%. And because its legs inside and outside  parallel, leg end is a right Angle, assembled into components, can save the workload of welding and riveting  up to 25%. It is often be used in large buildings (such as workshops, high-rise buildings, etc.), as well as Bridges, ships, lifting and transportation machinery, equipment foundation, supports, foundation piles, etc.

The National standard of Hot-rolled H-beam (GB/T11263-1998) divides H-beam into narrow flange, wide flange and steel pile, and their codes are hz, hk and hu respectively. Narrow flange H-beams are suitable for beams or flexural members, while wide flange H-beams and H-beams are suitable for axial compression members or flexural members.