I-Beam Element
Structural steel beam profiles
Overview
The I-beam element allows you to create structural steel beams with either standard profiles (like IPE, HEA, HEB) or custom dimensions. I-beams are widely used in construction and mechanical engineering for their excellent strength-to-weight ratio.
Key Features
- Standard profiles: IPE, HEA, HEB series
- Custom profile dimensions
- Sloped end cuts for angled connections
- Full position and rotation control
Parameters
Configure your I-beam with these parameters.
profile
Standard profile designation
IPE 200
width
Total width (for custom profiles)
100
height
Total height (for custom profiles)
200
length
Length of the beam
1500
flangeThickness
Thickness of flanges
8
webThickness
Thickness of web
5
material
Material/color of the beam
#445566
startSlope
Slope angle at start (degrees)
15
endSlope
Slope angle at end (degrees)
-15
x, y, z
Position in 3D space
0, 0, 0
rx, ry, rz
Rotation angles in degrees
0, 0, 0
Available Standards
Supported I-beam profile series.
IPE Profiles (European I-beam)
Standard European I-beams with narrow flanges.
IPE 100
55
100
5.7
4.1
IPE 200
100
200
8.5
5.6
IPE 300
150
300
10.7
7.1
Available: IPE 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200, 220, 240, 270, 300, and larger.
HEA Profiles (Wide Flange Type A)
European wide-flange beams with lighter weight.
HEA 100
100
96
8
5
HEA 200
200
190
10
6.5
HEA 300
300
290
14
8.5
Available: HEA 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200, 220, 240, 260, 280, 300, and larger.
HEB Profiles (Wide Flange Type B)
European wide-flange beams with heavier weight for higher loads.
HEB 100
100
100
10
6
HEB 200
200
200
15
9
HEB 300
300
300
19
11
Available: HEB 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200, 220, 240, 260, 280, 300, and larger.
Usage Examples
Learn how to create I-beams with these examples.
Standard Profile
Using a predefined IPE profile:
ibeam
IPE 200
1500
#445566
0
0
0
This creates an IPE 200 profile beam with 1500mm length in gray-blue color.
Custom Profile
Defining custom dimensions:
ibeam
100
200
1500
8
5
#445566
This creates a custom I-beam with 100mm width, 200mm height, 1500mm length, 8mm flange thickness, and 5mm web thickness.
Sloped Beams
Create beams with angled end cuts.
Slope Parameters
The I-beam can be created with sloped ends for angled connections or pitched roofs:
- startSlope: Angle in degrees at the start of the beam (z = 0)
- endSlope: Angle in degrees at the end of the beam (z = length)
- Positive angles slope upward, negative angles slope downward
- Default value is 0 degrees (perpendicular cut)
Sloped Beam Example
ibeam
IPE 200
1500
15
-15
#445566
This creates an IPE 200 beam with the start end sloped 15 degrees upward and the end sloped 15 degrees downward.
Best Practices
Tips for working with I-beams effectively.
Recommendations
- Use standard profiles when possible for industry compatibility
- Keep dimensions proportional (web thickness < flange thickness < width)
- Consider structural requirements when choosing dimensions
- Use appropriate units (millimeters) for your design
- Orient beams correctly using rotation parameters
Common Applications
- Structural support in buildings
- Machine frames and bases
- Crane girders and bridges
- Heavy equipment frameworks
- Industrial construction
Common Issues and Solutions
Solutions to frequently encountered problems.
Profile not recognized
Check that the profile name matches exactly (e.g., "IPE 200" not "IPE200"). Note the space between the series name and number.
Custom profile looks disproportionate
Follow standard ratios between web thickness, flange thickness, and overall dimensions. The web should be thinner than the flanges.
Beam orientation incorrect
Use rotation parameters to orient the beam. By default, the web is vertical (along Z-axis). Use ry=90 to rotate the beam horizontally.