STEEL H-BEAMS, RSJs for RAILWAY SLEEPERS

Ordering

Length Weight Sleeper thickness Unit Price (+vat) Quantity
H Beam bare steel (152x152) Length: 1200 Weight: 27.6kg Sleeper thickness: 100-125mm £59.00 - +
H Beam red oxide (152x152) Length: 1200 Weight: 27.6kg Sleeper thickness: 100-125mm £69.00 - +
U Channel (PFC) bare steel (180x75) Length: 1200 Weight: 24kg Sleeper thickness: 100-125mm £54.00 - +
H Beam bare steel (152x152) Length: 1500 Weight: 34.5kg Sleeper thickness: 100-125mm £66.00 - +
H Beam red oxide (152x152) Length: 1500 Weight: 34.5kg Sleeper thickness: 100-125mm £76.00 - +
U Channel (PFC) bare steel (180x75) Length: 1500 Weight: 30.4kg Sleeper thickness: 100mm - 125mm £61.00 - +
H Beam bare steel (152x152) Length: 1800 Weight: 41.40kg Sleeper thickness: 100-125mm £73.00 - +
H Beam red oxide (152x152) Length: 1800 Weight: 41.40kg Sleeper thickness: 100-125mm £83.00 - +
U Channel (PFC) bare steel (180x75) Length: 1800 Weight: 36.5kg Sleeper thickness: 100-125mm £66.00 - +
H Beam bare steel (152x152) Length: 2100 Weight: 48.3kg Sleeper thickness: 100-125mm £79.00 - +
H Beam red oxide (152x152) Length: 2100 Weight: 48.3kg Sleeper thickness: 100-125mm £89.00 - +
U Channel (PFC) bare steel (180x75) Length: 2100 Weight: 42.6kg Sleeper thickness: 100-125mm £72.00 - +
H Beam bare steel (152x152) Length: 2400 Weight: 55.2kg Sleeper thickness: 100-125mm £91.00 - +
H Beam red oxide (152x152) Length: 2400 Weight: 55.2kg Sleeper thickness: 100-125mm £99.00 - +
U Channel (PFC) bare steel (180x75) Length: 2400 Weight: 48.7kg Sleeper thickness: 100-125mm £78.00 - +
H Beam bare steel (152x152) Length: 2700 Weight: 62.1kg Sleeper thickness: 100-125mm £98.00 - +
H Beam red oxide (152x152) Length: 2700 Weight: 62.1kg Sleeper thickness: 100-125mm £108.00 - +
U Channel (PFC) bare steel (180x75) Length: 2700 Weight: 54.8kg Sleeper thickness: 100-125mm £84.00 - +
H Beam bare steel (152x152) Length: 3000 Weight: 69kg Sleeper thickness: 100-125mm £110.00 - +
H Beam red oxide (152x152) Length: 3000 Weight: 69kg Sleeper thickness: 100-125mm £120.00 - +
U Channel (PFC) bare steel (180x75) Length: 3000 Weight: 60.9kg Sleeper thickness: 100-125mm £91.00 - +
H Beam bare steel (203x203) Length: 1200 Weight: 55.20kg Sleeper thickness: 100-160mm £87.00 - +
H Beam red oxide (203x203) Length: 1200 Weight: 55.20kg Sleeper thickness: 100-160mm £97.00 - +
U Channel (PFC) bare steel (200x75) Length: 1200 Weight: 28kg Sleeper thickness: 100-160mm £58.00 - +
H Beam bare steel (203x203) Length: 1500 Weight: 69kg Sleeper thickness: 100-160mm £106.00 - +
H Beam red oxide (203x203) Length: 1500 Weight: 69kg Sleeper thickness: 100-160mm £116.00 - +
U Channel (PFC) bare steel (200x75) Length: 1500 Weight: 35kg Sleeper thickness: 100-160mm £65.00 - +
H Beam bare steel (203x203) Length: 1800 Weight: 82.8kg Sleeper thickness: 100-160mm £119.00 - +
H Beam red oxide (203x203) Length: 1800 Weight: 82.8kg Sleeper thickness: 100-160mm £129.00 - +
U Channel (PFC) bare steel (200x75) Length: 1800 Weight: 42kg Sleeper thickness: 100-160mm £75.00 - +
H Beam bare steel (203x203) Length: 2100 Weight: 96.6kg Sleeper thickness: 100-160mm £138.00 - +
H Beam red oxide (203x203) Length: 2100 Weight: 96.6kg Sleeper thickness: 100-160mm £148.00 - +
U Channel (PFC) bare steel (200x75) Length: 2100 Weight: 49kg Sleeper thickness: 100-160mm £84.00 - +
H Beam bare steel (203x203) Length: 2400 Weight: 110.40kg Sleeper thickness: 100-160mm £152.00 - +
H Beam red oxide (203x203) Length: 2400 Weight: 110.40kg Sleeper thickness: 100-160mm £163.00 - +
U Channel (PFC) bare steel (200x75) Length: 2400 Weight: 56kg Sleeper thickness: 100-160mm £91.00 - +
H Beam bare steel (203x203) Length: 2700 Weight: 124.20kg Sleeper thickness: 100-160mm £166.00 - +
H Beam red oxide (203x203) Length: 2700 Weight: 124.20kg Sleeper thickness: 100-160mm £178.00 - +
U Channel (PFC) bare steel (200x75) Length: 2700 Weight: 63kg Sleeper thickness: 100-160mm £98.00 - +
H Beam bare steel (203x203) Length: 3000 Weight: 138kg Sleeper thickness: 100-160mm £180.00 - +
H Beam red oxide (203x203) Length: 3000 Weight: 138kg Sleeper thickness: 100-160mm £193.00 - +
U Channel (PFC) bare steel (200x75) Length: 3000 Weight: 70kg Sleeper thickness: 100-160mm £105.00 - +

Overview

Whether you call them H-beams, RSJs or Universal Columns,

Old used oak railway sleepers slotted into steel RSJs to create strong retaining wall. Railwaysleepers.com  Retaining wall with used reclaimed oak railway sleepers slotted into steel I beams. Railwaysleepers.com  slotting old railway sleepers into steel I beams. Railwaysleepers.com  Huge height of wall possible with old railway sleepers slotted into vertical steel H beams. Railwaysleepers.com   Aggregate bays in building merchants with old oak railway sleepers slotted into steel H beams. Railwaysleepers.com  Internal factory wall made from used railway sleepers slotted into steel RSJs. Railwaysleepers.com  Short protective wall made from old reclaimed railway sleepers slotted into steel I beams. Railwaysleepers.com  Massive dividing wall made from old oak railway sleepers slotted into steel I beams. Railwaysleepers.com
they are simply brilliant with railway sleepers!

1) What length of steel H beam do I need?
The length of steel beam you need depends on:
a) how deep below the ground it will go.
b) how far above the ground it will go. 
Some landscapers or builders say 'one third in the ground, and two thirds out', whilst others say 
'half in the ground, and half out'. It's up to you.
Examples:
1) If the railway sleeper wall is 1.0m high, and you decide to put the H beam 0.6m into the ground, you will need a 1.6m length steel beam.
2) If the railway sleeper wall is 1.0m high, and you decide to put the H beam 1.0m into the ground, you will need a 2.0m length steel beam.
The depth you place the steel H beam in the ground depends on
a) the pressure or force of the ground you are holding back
b) the type of soil / ground you are going into, e.g. sand, rock, clay etc..
c) the amount of concrete you are planning to use
We have a large range of lengths of H beams (and U channels) on the website, however if you need a size of H beam (or U channel) that is not listed, please email or ring us, and we will give you a price.

Steel H Beams concreted into the ground with used railway sleepers. Railwaysleepers.com

2) What width or thickness of steel H beams do I need?
See diagram below
Steel H beams are used to slot railway sleepers into for retaining walls. Railwaysleepers.comThe exact size of steel H beam you need depends on the THICKNESS of the railway sleepers you are planning to slot into them.
1) 100mm-125mm thick railway sleepers can slot into the 152 x 152 H beams, with an internal width of 125mm (approx) and a depth of about 75mm to prevent the railway sleepers from falling out.
2) 100mm-160mm thick railway sleepers can slot into the 203 x 203 H beamswith an internal width of 160mm (approx) and a depth of about 100mm to prevent the railway sleepers from falling out.

It can also depend on the STRENGTH that you need. If the wall or bridge needs to meet a specific load-bearing or structural requirement, then it makes sense to consult a structural surveyor who will advise. If the project is more straightforward, then the two choices we supply online should be sufficient. If in doubt choose the heavier duty 203 x 203 H beam which is stronger and thicker than the 152 x 152 H beam.
We have a large range of sizes on the website, however if you need a thickness or length of H beam that is not listed, please email or ring us, and we will give you a price. 

Dimensions of a RSJ or steel H or I beam for railway sleepers. Railwaysleepers.com
3) Do I need U channels at the end of my railway sleeper wall?
You CAN complete the end of a run of steel H-beams with a U channel rather than another H beam. It's not structurally essential but it is seen by some as a neater and more aesthetic way of capping off the end, rather than leaving an exposed 'half used' H-beam.
1) 100mm-135mm thick railway sleepers can slot into a 180 x 75 U channelwith an internal width of 135mm (approx) and a depth of about 70mm to prevent the railway sleepers from falling out.
2) 100mm-160mm thick railway sleepers can slot into the 200 x 75 U channelswith an internal width of 160mm (approx) and a depth of about 70mm to prevent the railway sleepers from falling out.
It can also depend on the STRENGTH that you need. If the wall or bridge needs to meet a specific load-bearing or structural requirement, then it makes sense to consult a structural surveyor who will advise. If the project is more straightforward, then the two choices we supply online should be sufficient. If in doubt choose the heavier duty 200 x 75 U channel which is stronger and thicker than the 150 x 75 U channel.
We have a large range of sizes on the website, however if you need a thickness or length of U channel that is not listed, please email or ring us, and we will give you a price. The technical term for a U channel is a PFC (Parallel Flange Channel).

4) Bare steel finish, red oxide coating, or Hammerite paint?
Red oxide painted H beam to use with railway sleepers that acts as an undercoat but will naturally develop a rusty red surface if left unpainted. Railwaysleepers.com
BARE STEEL: If you want to leave the untreated steel H beams to naturally oxidise and weather to a richly coloured rusty red, then choose the bare steel option.
RED OXIDE: If you plan to paint the H beams with metal paint, then choose the red oxide option as a useful undercoat. If you leave it unpainted it will eventually start to rust through the red oxide. The one exception is Hammerite 'Direct to Rust' paint: 
HAMMERITE PAINT: An option for those who want their H beams to be a little smarter with a stylish colour finish. Look at our ONLINE SELECTION

Hammerite metal paint for steel H beams and railwaysleepers. Railwaysleepers.comHammerite metal paint for steel H beams and railwaysleepers. Railwaysleepers.comIf you plan to use Hammerite 'Direct to Rust' Paint, it should be applied directly to bare steel or rusted surfaces, (not red oxide painted steel) as it is a self-priming paint which does not require an undercoat. It is a durable, corrosion resistant decorative coating for steel that can be applied directly onto rusty metal by roller or brush.

5) How heavy are steel H beams?
To find out the weight of your steel beam, simply times the overall length by the kg per metre rate.
152 x 152 H beam is 23 kg per metre.
202 x 203 H beam is 46 kg per metre.
Examples:
1) A 2.4m H beam in 152 x 152 profile is 55.2kg
2) A 2.1m H beam in 203 x 203 profile is 96.6 kg
 

6) What railway sleeper are best with H beams?
Have a look at our What railway sleepers are best? page, which will tell you ALL about the different types of our railway sleepers.
In reality you can use any type of railway sleeper, so long as it is straight enough and regular enough in length to slide into the H beam. Which type do you choose? Ultimately it comes down to:
a) the look you want.
b) the longevity and strength you need.
c) your need for treated or untreated railway sleepers
d) the budget you've got.

7) How do I build with H beams and railway sleepers?
There are so many projects that you can create with H beams and railway sleepers. 
1) For practical help and clear advice have a look at our How to build with RSJ or H beams.

2) For project examples using H beams have a look at our H beam project section.  

8) Pros and Cons of H beams?
PROS:
1) Very easy to construct with. 
2) Very strong & longlasting, epecially with high walls. 
3) Easy installation & replacement of railway sleepers. 

4) Very rigid.
5) Good for the planet. Made from 100% recyclable steel. 

CONS:
1) Can be expensive to buy. 
2) Heavy to lift. 
3) They can rust over the years.
4) Can look industrial.  

GOLDEN RULES:
DON'T BE TEMPTED to concrete in the steel beams until you've received & measured the railway sleepers and worked out the correct spacing sizes

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