To produce sheet steel components optimised for loading, a steel strip is cast between two cooled rolls with a variable nip and the thickness of the steel strip is changed by changing the time of contact between the strand shells and the rolls or by changing the cooling intensity of the rolls on the molten steel cast into the gusset formed by the rolls, thereby changing the thickness of the steel strip. Such a strip has a homogeneous structure and can subsequently be given a special quality by hot or cold rolling for its particular purpose of use.