What is the difference between a universal beam and an RSJ?

RSJ is the older term for a rolled steel joist, which had tapered inner flange faces. Modern universal beams have parallel flanges, so plates and cleats sit flat against them. In everyday site usage builders still say RSJ when they mean a universal beam, and a UB is what is supplied.

Should I use a universal beam or a universal column?

Use a universal beam where the member spans horizontally and works in bending, and a universal column where it stands vertically and works in compression. A UC is sometimes used flat as a shallow beam where headroom is tight, at the cost of extra weight for the same capacity.

What grades of universal beam do you stock?

Standard supply is S275 and S355 to BS EN 10025, fully mill-certified with heat numbers traceable to the rolling mill. Other grades — including weathering and stainless — are available to order on request.

Can I order universal beam cut to length, drilled and notched?

Yes. Every UB section is cut to your specified length and we can drill, notch, end-plate, weld and shot-blast / paint to your engineer's detail before delivery — all in-house under BS EN 1090 EXC 3.

How quickly can universal beam be delivered?

Stock UB sections typically dispatch within 3–5 working days of order acceptance. Fabricated packages run to a confirmed production schedule agreed at order, with weekly progress reporting and HIAB offload worldwide.

Do you supply mill certificates with universal beam?

Yes. EN 10204 3.1 mill certificates are issued with every UB order, fabricated work ships with the CE Declaration of Performance and full weld records, and trade buyers can have certification consolidated per project.

Can I buy universal beam without a trade account?

Yes. Homeowners, self-builders, architects and contractors can request a quote with no minimum order. Trade accounts are available for repeat buyers wanting consolidated billing and credit terms.

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BS EN 1090 / EXC 3

52 universal beam sections

Universal Beam
(UB)

Universal beams (UB / RSJ) for primary structural framing — floor beams, lintels, transfer beams and portal frames in S275 and S355 to BS EN 10025.

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CRsteelStructural steel fabrication & supply

BS EN 1090: Certified to BS EN 1090-1:2009+A1:2011 Execution Class 3 as per BS EN 1090-2:2018
30+ Years: Years supplying the industry with trusted structural steel fabrication and installation excellence
Workforce: Welding Quality Management System (WQMS) accredited by ISOQAR, approved to BS EN 1090 EXC 3.
Worldwide: Site erection coverage worldwide with full project management support

52 universal beam sections/BS EN 1090 — Certified to BS EN 1090-1:2009+A1:2011 Execution Class 3 as per BS EN 1090-2:2018/30+ Years — Years supplying the industry with trusted structural steel fabrication and installation excellence/Workforce — Welding Quality Management System (WQMS) accredited by ISOQAR/Worldwide — Site erection coverage worldwide with full project management support/

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Universal Beam

Universal beams are the primary spanning member in almost every steel frame worldwide. The deep I-profile puts steel where bending demand is highest, which is why a UB will usually out-perform any other rolled section of the same weight over a horizontal span.

Sizes are quoted as serial depth × flange width × weight per metre — a 203×133×25 is roughly 203 mm deep, 133 mm wide and 25 kg for every metre you buy. Actual rolled depth varies slightly with weight within a serial size, which is why each size here has its own dimension table.

StructuralSteel.ai holds 52 UB sizes, cut to length, drilled and CE marked under BS EN 1090 EXC 3, with EN 10204 3.1 mill certificates on every order. Typically specified for opening lintels in load-bearing walls, transfer beams over removed walls, mezzanine framing, steel-framed extensions and garage and carport openings.

Before you order

Clear span plus bearing at each end — usually 100–150 mm onto padstones
Restraint to the compression flange, or design the beam as unrestrained
Deflection limit your engineer has specified, commonly span/360
Whether the beam needs holes for a flitch plate, decking or services

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All universal beam (UB) sizes

52 sections

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Other structural steel sections

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Fabrication, finishing and delivery

Cut to length, drilled and notched — Metal Fabrication
BS EN 9606-1 coded welding
CAD detailing and connection design
CE marked under BS EN 1090 EXC 3
worldwide delivery with HIAB offload
Live structural steel prices
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