2.

1 ROLLED SECTIONS AND

BUILT-UP SECTIONS
Introduction:

Structural steel elements are fundamental to modern

construction due to their strength, adaptability, and ease of
assembly. Among these, rolled sections and built-up
sections are prominent categories of structural members.
Familiarizing oneself with the characteristics, advantages,
and applications of these shapes is essential for making
informed design and construction decisions. This report
provides an in-depth discussion on rolled and built-up
sections, emphasizing their unique features, benefits,
limitations, and practical applications.
• Rolled Sections: Rolled
sections are standardized
structural elements
manufactured through a
hot-rolling process. These
sections are available in
various shapes such as I-
beams, H-beams, angles,
channels, and tees, all
produced in steel mills to
precise specifications.
Shapes of Rolled Sections:
• I-Beams (Universal Beams): These have a horizontal
flange on the top and bottom, providing excellent resistance
to bending. Commonly used for beams and girders.
• H-Beams (Universal Columns): Similar to I-beams but with
wider flanges, offering greater stability and load-bearing
capacity. Ideal for columns and heavy loads.
• Channels (C-Shaped): Used in frames and bracing systems,
these provide effective resistance to compression and
bending.
• Angles (L-Shaped): Commonly used in trusses and bracing,
these are lightweight yet strong.
• Tees (T-Shaped): Ideal for lightweight and decorative
structural applications.
Advantages:

• Ease of Availability: Rolled sections are readily

accessible in standard shapes and sizes, reducing
procurement lead times. Their availability ensures
convenience for a broad range of projects.
• Cost-Effective: Mass production techniques make
rolled sections an economical choice, particularly for
small and medium-sized projects. Their affordability
is one of their most appealing features.
• Uniformity: Factory production ensures consistent
dimensions, material properties, and strength. This
standardization minimizes on-site errors and
modifications.
• Ease of Handling and Assembly: Their
standardized design simplifies transportation,
storage, and assembly, making them a practical
solution for projects with tight schedules or limited
resources.
Limitations:

• Limited Size Range: Rolled sections are confined

to standard dimensions and shapes, which may not
be suitable for projects requiring unique or oversized
members.
• Lower Strength for Specialized Loads: In
comparison to built-up sections, rolled sections may
not provide adequate strength for large spans or
specialized high-load conditions.
Applications:

• Commonly used in residential, commercial, and light

industrial structures for beams, columns, and
trusses.
• Frequently applied in pre-engineered buildings, small
bridges, and modular construction systems.
• Ideal for straightforward designs with moderate load
requirements.
• Built-Up Sections: Built-up sections are custom-
fabricated structural members, assembled by welding
or bolting together plates, angles, or other steel
components. These sections are tailored to meet
specific structural and design requirements, providing
unmatched versatility and strength.
Shapes of Built-Up Sections:

• Box Girders: Fabricated from steel plates welded into

rectangular or square cross-sections, used in bridges and
cranes.
• Plate Girders: Constructed with a wide plate flanked by
vertical web plates, suitable for large spans and high loads.
• Custom Tapered Sections: Designed for structures with
variable stress distributions, such as arch bridges.
• Trusses: Built-up components assembled into triangular
frameworks for roofs and large spans.
• Hybrid Members: Combining plates and rolled sections to
achieve specific design goals.
Advantages:

• Customizability: Built-up sections can be fabricated to any

required size, shape, or configuration, accommodating complex
or unconventional designs.
• High Strength: Engineered to meet specific load and span
requirements, built-up sections offer superior strength and
rigidity compared to rolled sections. This makes them suitable
for demanding structural applications.
• Material Efficiency: By adjusting the thickness, width, and
composition of components, engineers can optimize material
usage, ensuring cost-effectiveness and reducing waste.
Limitations:

• Higher Initial Costs: The fabrication process, involving

detailed design, welding, and assembly, increases the
overall expense compared to rolled sections.
• Extended Lead Time: Built-up sections require longer
production timelines due to their custom nature, which
may impact project schedules.
• Quality Assurance Challenges: Improper fabrication
or welding can introduce defects, requiring stringent
quality control measures to maintain structural integrity.
Applications:

• Widely used in large-scale infrastructure projects,

including bridges, high-rise buildings, and industrial
plants.
• Essential for unique or demanding designs, such as
offshore platforms, transmission towers, and
stadiums.
• Frequently employed in projects where aesthetics
and functionality must align with performance
requirements.
Comparison:

Feature Rolled Sections Built-Up Sections

Fabricated from
Manufacturing Hot-rolled in factories
plates/angles
Limited to standard
Design Flexibility Highly customizable
shapes
Strength Moderate High (tailored to needs)
Cost Lower Higher
Lead Time Short Longer
Small to medium Large and specialized
Applications
structures structures