Eli5- Purpose of having different structural sections, for example, I, C, Square Hollow. Could they be used interchangeably? Do they bear load differently?

Question

Eli5- Purpose of having different structural sections, for example, I, C, Square Hollow. Could they be used interchangeably? Do they bear load differently?

In: 1

Answer 1

Different shapes for different purposes. Yes, at the least an I beam or a hollow square stock will absolutely have different load and tensor properties.