Double T-bars — universally known as I-beams and H-beams — are the primary load-bearing structural steel sections that form the backbone of modern construction and industrial engineering. Characterised by their distinctive I-shaped or H-shaped cross-section with two parallel flanges connected by a perpendicular web, these steel beams deliver exceptional bending resistance and structural efficiency per kilogram of steel used. ULAMEX stocks the complete range of European standard double T-bars per EN 10365: IPE beams (80–600 mm), HEB beams (100–600 mm), HEA beams (100–600 mm), and IPN beams (80–400 mm), manufactured from S235JR and S355J2 structural steel per EN 10025-2. Standard stock lengths of 6,000 mm and 12,000 mm are available for immediate wholesale dispatch across Europe.
Material Grades and Standards
All double T-bars from ULAMEX are manufactured from non-alloy structural steel conforming to EN 10025-2, the definitive European standard for hot rolled steel products used in construction. Two primary grades are permanently stocked:
- S235JR (material number 1.0038) — minimum yield strength 235 MPa (for flanges ≤16 mm), tensile strength 360–510 MPa, guaranteed Charpy V-notch impact energy 27 J at +20°C. Formerly St37-2 (DIN 17100), equivalent to ASTM A36 and BS EN 10025 S235. This is the standard grade for general building construction, floor beams, purlins, lintels, mezzanine structures, and all applications where mild steel strength is adequate.
- S355J2 (material number 1.0577) — minimum yield strength 355 MPa, tensile strength 470–630 MPa, with guaranteed impact toughness of 27 J at -20°C. Formerly St52-3, comparable to ASTM A572 Grade 50. S355J2 is the premium grade for heavy load-bearing columns, primary beams in multi-storey buildings, crane runway girders, bridge structures, and all applications demanding higher structural steel strength and low-temperature toughness.
S275JR (1.0044) is available on request for projects specifying this intermediate grade. Both standard grades are fully weldable with carbon equivalent (CEV) values below 0.45, compatible with all standard welding processes: MIG/MAG (GMAW), MMA/electrode (SMAW), TIG (GTAW), and submerged arc welding (SAW).
The dimensional standard EN 10365 (Hot rolled steel channels, I and H sections — Dimensions and masses) replaced the former standards DIN 1025 (Parts 1–5), defining the complete range of IPE, HEA, HEB, HEM, and IPN profiles including their exact dimensions, sectional properties (moment of inertia, section modulus, radius of gyration), and mass per metre. Tolerances are governed by EN 10034 (Structural steel I and H sections — Tolerances on shape and dimensions).
Dimensions and Specifications
ULAMEX stocks the four principal series of European steel beams:
IPE Beams (European I-Beams, Narrow Flange)
IPE beams have parallel flanges that are narrower relative to the beam height, delivering the most efficient section for resisting bending loads. Our stock range:
- IPE 80 (6.0 kg/m) | IPE 100 (8.1 kg/m) | IPE 120 (10.4 kg/m) | IPE 140 (12.9 kg/m)
- IPE 160 (15.8 kg/m) | IPE 180 (18.8 kg/m) | IPE 200 (22.4 kg/m) | IPE 220 (26.2 kg/m)
- IPE 240 (30.7 kg/m) | IPE 270 (36.1 kg/m) | IPE 300 (42.2 kg/m) | IPE 330 (49.1 kg/m)
- IPE 360 (57.1 kg/m) | IPE 400 (66.3 kg/m) | IPE 450 (77.6 kg/m) | IPE 500 (90.7 kg/m)
- IPE 550 (106 kg/m) | IPE 600 (122 kg/m)
HEB Beams (Wide Flange H-Beams, Standard Series)
HEB beams (formerly IPB) feature wider flanges approaching a square proportion, making them the preferred choice for columns and applications requiring resistance to buckling about both axes:
- HEB 100 (20.4 kg/m) | HEB 120 (26.7 kg/m) | HEB 140 (33.7 kg/m) | HEB 160 (42.6 kg/m)
- HEB 180 (51.2 kg/m) | HEB 200 (61.3 kg/m) | HEB 220 (71.5 kg/m) | HEB 240 (83.2 kg/m)
- HEB 260 (93.0 kg/m) | HEB 280 (103 kg/m) | HEB 300 (117 kg/m) | HEB 320 (127 kg/m)
- HEB 340 (134 kg/m) | HEB 360 (142 kg/m) | HEB 400 (155 kg/m) | HEB 450 (171 kg/m)
- HEB 500 (187 kg/m) | HEB 550 (199 kg/m) | HEB 600 (212 kg/m)
HEA Beams (Wide Flange H-Beams, Light Series)
HEA beams (formerly IPBl) have the same outer dimensions as HEB but with thinner flanges and web, offering an economical alternative where the full HEB cross-section is not required:
- HEA 100 (16.7 kg/m) | HEA 120 (19.9 kg/m) | HEA 140 (24.7 kg/m) | HEA 160 (30.4 kg/m)
- HEA 180 (35.5 kg/m) | HEA 200 (42.3 kg/m) | HEA 220 (50.5 kg/m) | HEA 240 (60.3 kg/m)
- HEA 260 (68.2 kg/m) | HEA 280 (76.4 kg/m) | HEA 300 (88.3 kg/m) | HEA 320 (97.6 kg/m)
- HEA 340 (105 kg/m) | HEA 360 (112 kg/m) | HEA 400 (125 kg/m) | HEA 450 (140 kg/m)
- HEA 500 (155 kg/m) | HEA 550 (166 kg/m) | HEA 600 (178 kg/m)
IPN Beams (Standard I-Beams, Tapered Flange)
IPN beams (formerly INP or I-Normalprofile) feature tapered flanges — a legacy profile still widely used in renovation, heritage building work, and applications where compatibility with existing structures is required:
- IPN 80 (5.9 kg/m) | IPN 100 (8.3 kg/m) | IPN 120 (11.1 kg/m) | IPN 140 (14.3 kg/m)
- IPN 160 (17.9 kg/m) | IPN 180 (21.9 kg/m) | IPN 200 (26.2 kg/m) | IPN 220 (31.1 kg/m)
- IPN 240 (36.2 kg/m) | IPN 260 (41.9 kg/m) | IPN 280 (47.9 kg/m) | IPN 300 (54.2 kg/m)
- IPN 320 (61.0 kg/m) | IPN 340 (68.0 kg/m) | IPN 360 (76.1 kg/m) | IPN 380 (84.0 kg/m)
- IPN 400 (92.4 kg/m)
All beams are supplied in standard lengths of 6,000 mm (6 m) and 12,000 mm (12 m). Cut-to-size sawing is available on request. Dimensional tolerances conform to EN 10034.
Applications of Double T-Bars
Steel beams in double-T configuration are the structural workhorses of the built environment. Their optimised cross-section concentrates material in the flanges — where bending stresses are highest — while the web efficiently carries shear forces. Key application areas include:
- Multi-storey building construction — IPE beams serve as floor beams spanning between columns, while HEB beams function as primary columns resisting combined axial and bending loads. In steel-framed office buildings, shopping centres, and commercial structures, the beam-column framework is almost exclusively built from IPE/HEB combinations designed to Eurocode 3.
- Industrial hall construction — portal frame structures for warehouses, factories, logistics centres, and agricultural buildings utilise IPE or HEA rafters and HEB or HEA columns. Crane runway beams in production halls are typically HEB or HEA sections selected for their superior lateral stability.
- Bridge construction — plate girders fabricated from heavy IPE or HEB sections, composite beam bridges with concrete deck slabs on steel beams, and pedestrian bridges all rely on double-T profiles as primary span elements.
- Mezzanine and platform structures — intermediate floors in warehouses, retail environments, and industrial facilities are constructed from IPE beams supporting profiled steel decking. HEA sections offer weight savings where design loads permit.
- Residential construction — I beam steel lintels above wall openings (windows, doors, garage openings), floor support beams for open-plan conversions, and structural loft conversions routinely specify IPE or IPN sections sized by a structural engineer.
- Crane runway and overhead crane systems — HEB and HEA beams serve as crane rails for overhead travelling cranes, gantry cranes, and monorail systems in manufacturing, assembly, and logistics environments.
- Infrastructure — retaining wall soldier piles (using HEB driven into the ground), sheet pile waling beams, temporary works propping, and basement construction support structures.
- Renovation and heritage — IPN beams are specifically stocked for compatibility with existing structures in renovation projects, where tapered-flange profiles must match the original construction.
Technical Properties
The hot rolled steel double T-bars supplied by ULAMEX exhibit the full range of mechanical and physical properties specified in EN 10025-2 for grades S235JR and S355J2. The hot rolling process at temperatures above 900°C produces a normalised ferritic-pearlitic microstructure that delivers consistent properties across the full cross-section.
Understanding the differences between beam series is essential for correct specification:
- IPE vs HEB — IPE beams are lighter per unit height and most efficient in pure bending (floor beams, purlins). HEB beams have wider flanges and are preferred for columns and members subject to biaxial bending or compression.
- HEA vs HEB — HEA sections have the same external dimensions as HEB but with reduced flange and web thicknesses, offering 15–25% weight savings for applications where the design can accommodate slightly lower section properties.
- IPE vs IPN — IPE beams have parallel flanges enabling simpler bolted connections, while IPN beams have tapered flanges requiring special washers for bolting. IPE is the modern standard; IPN is retained for renovation compatibility.
Both S235JR and S355J2 are fully weldable. Standard welding procedures per EN 1011-2 apply. Preheating is generally not required for S235JR up to 25 mm flange thickness, or for S355J2 up to approximately 15 mm. For heavier sections, preheat temperatures should be calculated per EN 1011-2 based on the combined thickness, CEV, and hydrogen content of the welding consumable.
All beams feature the characteristic mill scale surface of hot rolled carbon steel. Surface treatment options include hot-dip galvanising (ISO 1461), shop primer coatings, multi-coat paint systems per ISO 12944, intumescent fire protection coatings, and thermal spray metallic coatings. Fire resistance design is covered by EN 1993-1-2 (Structural fire design), with unprotected steel sections typically achieving 15–20 minutes fire resistance, extendable to 60–120 minutes with intumescent or board protection.
Physical constants: density 7,850 kg/m³, elastic modulus 210,000 MPa, shear modulus 81,000 MPa, thermal expansion 12 × 10⁻⁶ /K, Poisson’s ratio 0.3.
Quality and Certification
As an EN 1090 certified steel distributor operating under ISO 3834-2 quality management, ULAMEX ensures every steel beam delivery meets the stringent requirements of European construction product regulations. Each consignment can be accompanied by a mill test certificate 3.1 per EN 10204, documenting:
- Chemical composition (C, Mn, Si, P, S, N, Cu, Cr, Ni, Mo, V, Nb, Ti)
- Mechanical properties (yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, elongation at fracture, Charpy V-notch impact energy)
- Heat number and full traceability to the producing steelworks
CE marking in accordance with the Construction Products Regulation (EU) 305/2011 is standard. Our quality system covers incoming goods inspection, controlled indoor storage, and systematic lot traceability from mill to construction site.
Ordering and Delivery
ULAMEX maintains extensive warehouse stock of double T-bars across all four series (IPE, HEB, HEA, IPN) in the most-demanded sizes, in both S235JR and S355J2 grades. Standard stock lengths are 6,000 mm and 12,000 mm. Cut-to-size sawing is available for project-specific requirements. For non-standard sizes or large project quantities, mill-order procurement with competitive lead times is also offered.
With over 38 years as a specialist steel beam supplier and structural steel sections wholesale distributor, ULAMEX provides reliable supply, competitive wholesale pricing, and complete technical documentation. Our European delivery network ensures fast transit to the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Benelux, and beyond.
Whether you are constructing an industrial hall, renovating a heritage building, or engineering a bridge — ULAMEX is your trusted partner for I-beams, H-beams, and all structural steel profiles.
Browse the complete steel sections catalogue or request a tailored quotation for double T-bars.