U-Channel vs C-Channel Compared (Sizes Chart)

When looking at structural channel materials, you will almost certainly run into the question, &#;What is the difference between U-Channel and C-Channel?&#;. This is a common question, and the answer is a little more nuanced than one may imagine.

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C-beam and U-Channel tend to be referenced in codes and by manufacturers as the same thing in North America and most other countries, simply being referred to as structural channel.
In Europe, however, codes have been made around C-Channel and U-Channel in an effort to both standardize their applications, as well as reduce confusion when purchasing. U-Channel is referred to as UPE Channel in Europe while C-beam is referred to as UPN Channel per Standard UNI -73.

The answer to their actual difference lies primarily in the method of manufacturing and intended application of the channel. These differences are due to the materials the channels are manufactured from, as well as the manufacturing processes utilized to create the channel shapes.

Cross section view of the two types of channels.
Image credit: https://www.steel-sections.co

Structure Channel Terms

When looking at structural channel, there are a few key terms to understand that will further help the distinction between C-Channel and U-Channel. A majority of the terms between the two are universal, with the primary difference between them being their feature ratios. See the image below to help visualize what each term is referencing:

Width: Width is the total length measured from the backside of the &#;C&#; shape to the front end of the flanges when viewing the piece as if it were the letter C.

Depth: Depth is also referred to as channel depth, and it is the measure of the length between the top and bottom of the &#;C&#; when viewing the pieces as if it were the letter C.

Flange Thickness: Flange thickness is the measure of thickness of the &#;legs&#; that are protruding to form the general channel shape.

Web Thickness: The web thickness is the measure of the thickness of the &#;backbone&#; of the general channel shape as denoted in the image.

Fillet Radius: Each inner corner of the channel shape has a specified fillet radius. This is similar to that of other structural members like I-Beams and Angle Iron. The fillet radius is not typically specified by manufacturers but can be provided upon request.

C-Channel (UPN Channel)

C-beam is shaped very similarly to that of U-Channel, but it has tapered flanges that start out thicker from the web and thin down as they progress to the end of the total width. This geometry is a result of the versatile manufacturing process that creates C-beam, which is a continuous rolling operation. This rolling can be done hot &#; a process in which the material is heated to high temperatures to help reduce the force required to form the product which results in a &#;soft&#;, more flexible finished product, or cold &#; a process where the material is formed at rolled temperature which results in a stronger, but more brittle finished product.

C-beam is more common for industrial and structural applications in most nations &#; that is because it is a product that is more readily available and one that can be hot rolled with stronger materials that are then post processed to achieve greater strength as a percentage of weight ratios and is more commonly manufactured that U-Channel. C-beam is traditionally used as steel support beams in building applications and framing applications for equipment skids.

C-Channel comes in a large variety of sizes, and manufacturers tend to specialize on certain size ranges due to these large varieties present. To find the right size of C-Channel for your application, refer to each manufacturer&#;s website to identify sizes offered and work with what is readily available. Tables displaying size ranges should be readily available and will look like the below image which describe all major dimensions of the C-beam in a tabulated, easy to follow formula.

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U-Channel (UPE Channel)

U-Channel is harder to find, tends to be made of weaker metals, and is typically used in lightweight or decorative applications in North America.
Although U-Channel has a greater strength as a percentage of weight ratio (depending on application), its difficulty to manufacture at thicker and larger geometry sizes makes it a more costly to produce and a less practical solution to general fabrication needs in most regions.
U-Channel also goes by the name Parallel Flange Channel and tends to be more custom to each manufacturer and industry standard sizes are not as common aside from the European standard surrounding UPE Channel.
When selecting U-Channel, it is a good idea to confirm size offerings from manufacturers before making design decisions as not every supplier will carrier the same product size ranges.
The table below shows a manufacturer&#;s specific size offerings of U-channel, and it should be noted that these size offerings appear more customized than those of C-Channel offerings.

U-Channel is made in a variety of processes, but none of these processes are cheaper or easier to perform than that of the C-Channel hot rolling processes. While U-Channel can be made using traditional hot rolling techniques, the thickness ratios and lack of a tapered flange create a challenge for roller design and these issues tend make the process more prone to warping once cooled.
U-Channel can be made from square tubing by cutting the top section away, die extrusion processes that take billets and extrude them through specific shaped dies (only possible for softer metals like various grades of aluminum), and flat plate rolling in a cold rolling process.

Steel Channels: An Overview

Steel channels are a popular type of structural steel used in construction and industrial applications. They are made of steel and come in various sizes and shapes. One notable feature of steel channels is their flat surface, which makes them ideal for joining and attaching other materials.

The flat surface of steel channels allows for a stable and secure connection between the steel and other materials. This is particularly useful in construction and manufacturing where the steel channels are often used as a base for supporting heavy equipment or structures. The flat surface also makes it easier to weld or bolt steel channels together, creating a sturdy and durable joint.

Steel channels are available in different types, including hot-rolled steel channels and cold-formed steel channels. Hot-rolled steel channels are created through a heating and rolling process, while cold-formed steel channels are formed through a series of bending and folding operations.

The flat surface of steel channels is also useful in creating custom shapes and designs. Fabricators can easily modify the steel channels by cutting, drilling, or bending them to fit specific applications. They can also attach accessories or other materials to the flat surface of the steel channel to enhance its functionality.

In summary, steel channels are a versatile type of structural steel with a flat surface that makes them ideal for various applications in construction and manufacturing. Their flat surface provides stability, ease of attachment, and customization options, making them an attractive choice for engineers and fabricators alike.

Conclusion

When considering C-Channel and U-Channel for your design applications, it is important to note that U Channel will tend to be offered in smaller sizes in most locations of the world, which leads C-Channel to being your primary choice for structural applications or applications that require stronger, larger support members. Both geometries offer very similar strength to weight ratios, with the primary difference being the size offerings available on the open market. Both versions of structural channel are essential to our daily world and can be found in almost every commercial and residential building in some fashion (for example: galvanized handrails).

Structural channel in either form can be found in applications regarding doorways, tracks and sliders for machines, posts and supports for buildings as well as building corners, walls & railings, decorative elements, and general framing applications for larger building construction.

As always, it is highly recommended to confirm with manufacturers when working through the design process to confirm availability, cost, sizing, and potential material grades for your specific application.

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Especially with U-Channel, not all manufacturers will offer the same geometries as others, and the difference in their respective offerings can be immense.

Structural steel shapes provide support to buildings of all kinds. They&#;re integral to weight distribution and ensure the integrity, safety, and durability of buildings.

In addition to being characterized by their shape, structural steel shapes vary in their mechanical, and chemical qualities, which also play a role in determining how they are used and when. Kloeckner Metals stocks structural channels, structural tubes, structural angles, structural beams, and structural plate and can customize any and all to customer specification.

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Kloeckner Metals is a full-line steel supplier and service center. Download our structural plate spec sheet and check what Kloeckner Metals routinely stocks.

What Is Structural Steel

Structural Steel is a high utility building material that is made of a versatile type of carbon steel that&#;s available in a range of metal grades. Uses span everything from bridges to residential and commercial constructions, from parking garages to machine bases.

The Advantage of Structural Steel

There are many reasons structural steel is a critical component for thousands of buildings around the world. Here are ten according to the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC):

• Cost effectiveness. Overall costs including erection, material, and fabrication are lower than other building systems and do not experience diminishing return.
• Accelerated schedules. Off-site fabrication supports quick construction, even in adverse weather conditions.
• Increased usable floor space. Design flexibility makes open spaces possible.
• Aesthetically pleasing. Pliability offers designers many options to create beautiful spaces.
• Future adaptability. Existing steel frames can be repurposed.
• Quality and predictability. Off-site fabrication and delivery accelerate building schedules.
• Ease of design. Consistent strength levels simplify the design process.
• Enhanced productivity. A fully integrated supply chain and advanced technology reduce error, lower cost, and improve safety.
• Green. As much as 93% of structural steel produced in the United States is recycled and will continue to be recyclable.
• Solutions abound. Structural steel can adapt to resolve project challenges, wherever they may arise.

Structural Steel Shapes

Though structural steel shapes can be customized, they usually fall into one of four categories: beams, angles, channels, or plates. Each shape has defining features and optimal applications.

Structural Steel Angles

Structural steel angles is a hot rolled product with an L-shaped cross-section that&#;s appropriate for a number of applications. A standard structural angle is 90 degrees and is measured by the length of the legs as well as the leg thickness.

L-shapes

L-shapes are produced with both equal and unequal leg lengths. When notating unequal leg angles in measurement, the longer leg is always first, and thickness last. All measurements are always taken from the outside.

Applications include structural reinforcement, framework, shelving, and repair.

Structural Steel Tubing &#; Hollow Structural Sections

Hollow structural section (HSS) refers to high-strength welded steel tubing. Sometimes referred to as hollow steel sections, they are produced in round, square, and rectangular shapes that support multidirectional load bearing. As the name suggests, regardless of shape, the mid-sections are hollow.

Tubes are a hollow steel shape that can be further distinguished as either mechanical or structural tubing. Mechanical tubing is used in low-stress applications and is characterized by a thinner wall. Structural tubing is designed for high-stress structural applications in bridges, buildings, roll cages, and underwater platforms. The walls are thicker and stronger.

Pipes are another hollow structure that is intended to carry liquids, gasses, or even solids. Its wall thickness is described by its schedule, which is a system created by the American Standards Association.

Structural Steel Beams

Stuctural steel beams are the basis of support. The basic design is built to handle a maximum bending load with minimum material.

Beams have a flat top and bottom, called flanges (sometimes, legs). Often these flanges taper. The vertical section of the beam is called the web. The web is built to resist blunt force, while flanges resist bending. The angle which connects the web to the flanges is called the fillet.

Beams are identified by their depth, which is the distance from the top to the bottom; flange width, which is the length of the horizontal flanges; flange thickness; and web thickness.

I-beams

I-beams are sometimes called the universal beam or wide flange beams. The name describes the shape of the cross-section and legs that are parallel. I-beams act as the critical support trusses in construction framework.

S-beams

S Beams are designed to offer superior strength with wider flanges that have a slope on the inside surface. They are used in home and building construction, truck bed frames, hoists, lifts, and more.

T-beams

T-beams have a T-shape, like the universal beam but without a bottom flange. T-beams are best for reinforcement, as they do not resist bending to bear equal weight as well as the I-beam.

Bearing Piles

Bearing piles are similar to I-beams in that they have the same shape. However, bearing piles have uniform thickness across all sections. They are primarily used to support vertical loads.

H-piles

H-piles have the same I-shape but are often placed in the ground to provide deep foundation support for superstructures.

Structural Steel Channels

Structural channels are a hot-rolled product with a C-shaped cross-section with various construction and manufacturing applications. They are identified by channel depth, the distance from top to bottom; leg height; leg thickness; and web thickness.

C-channels

C-channels have a slight slope on the inner flange surface. They are not typically applied as primary load-bearing beams. Rather, they provide a great amount of structural support, most useful as frames and for bracing.

Structural Steel Plates

Plates are flat and are produced in a variety of thicknesses to meet construction needs where durability and weight-savings is necessary. Structural steel is usually welded to build the framework for buildings and bridges. Structural steel welders will cut and restore metal beams, columns, and girders.

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Kloeckner Metals is a full-line steel supplier and service center. Kloeckner Metals combines a national footprint with the latest fabrication and processing technologies and most innovative customer service solutions.

Are you interested in learning more about C-Shaped Steel? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!