A beam is a structural element that primarily resists loads applied laterally to the beam’s axis. Its mode of deflection is primarily by bending. The loads applied to the beam result in reaction forces at the beam’s support points. H beam is a structural beam made of rolled steel. It is incredibly strong. It gets its name because it looks like a capital H over the cross-section. Often referred to as WF or wide flange beams, H-beams are used in the bridge construction, buildings, cranes, truck trailers and in a wide variety of other applications. Hot-rolled beams are made from metal that has been heated above the recrystallization point (over 1000 degrees, so the metal is very malleable) and then rolled. Cold-rolled beams are made from metal that has not been heated before rolling.
