| ------------- | ---------------- | --------------------------------------- | ----------- | | IPE | Narrow-flange | b ≈ h/3 | Beams with continuous lateral restraint | S235, S355 | | HEA | Wide-flange | b ≈ h (light) | Columns, beams with bi-axial bending | S235, S355 | | HEB | Wide-flange | b ≈ h (standard) | Columns, heavily loaded beams | S235, S355 | | HEM | Wide-flange | b ≈ h (heavy) | High-rise columns, transfer girders | S235, S355 |

Standard material: S235JR (Fy = 235 MPa) or S355J2 (Fy = 355 MPa) per EN 10025-2. S460 is available by special order.

IPE Section Table (IPE 80 to IPE 600)

IPE sections have narrow flanges (about one-third of the section depth), making them efficient for bending where lateral-torsional buckling is restrained by the floor deck or secondary beams. They are the most common beam section in continental European steel construction.

Source: EN 10365:2017 / ArcelorMittal sections catalogue. Standard steel grade S355J2.

IPE Beam Selection Guide

HEA Section Table (HEA 100 to HEA 600)

HEA (light wide-flange) sections have wider flanges (approximately equal to depth) with thinner material than the same-depth HEB. They are used primarily as columns in light to medium frames and as beams where the wider flange provides better lateral-torsional buckling resistance than IPE.

Source: EN 10365:2017 / ArcelorMittal sections catalogue. Standard steel grade S355J2.

HEB Section Table (HEB 100 to HEB 600)

HEB (standard wide-flange) sections have the same outer dimensions as HEA but with thicker flanges and webs — typically 25-40% heavier. This gives higher axial and moment capacities for the same serial size, making HEB preferred for heavily loaded columns and transfer structures.

Source: EN 10365:2017 / ArcelorMittal sections catalogue. Standard steel grade S355J2.

Comparison: IPE vs HEA vs HEB

Section Selection Guide

Conversion: European Sections vs UK UB Sections

Engineers working across European and UK projects often need to find equivalent sections. Here are approximate equivalents for common sizes:

Important: These are approximate equivalents for preliminary sizing only. Section properties differ significantly, and full design checks (bending, shear, deflection, LTB, connection detailing) must be carried out before substituting one series for another.

EN 1993-1-1 Design Notes for European Sections

Section Classification

European sections in S355 steel are typically Class 1 or 2 for bending about the major axis. Key classification limits (c/t ratios per EN 1993-1-1 Table 5.2):

IPE sections: Flanges are typically Class 1 in S355. Webs in IPE 500 and above may reach Class 2.

HEA sections: Thinner flanges mean HEA tends toward Class 2 in heavier sizes (HEA 500+, c/tf ≈ 9.5 in S355).

HEB sections: Flanges are Class 1 across the full range. Webs are Class 1 for all standard HEB sizes.

Plastic Moment Capacity

For Class 1 and 2 sections:

Mc,Rd = Wpl,y × fy / γM0

With γM0 = 1.00 (EN 1993-1-1 recommended value — check the relevant National Annex).

Lateral-Torsional Buckling

The elastic critical moment Mcr for a simply supported IPE beam with uniform moment:

Mcr = (π/Lcr) × √(E × Iz × G × It) × √(1 + (π² × E × Iw)/(Lcr² × G × It))

IPE sections are more susceptible to LTB than HEA/HEB because of their narrow flanges (smaller Iz). For the same span and loading, an HEA beam will typically have 30-50% higher Mb,Rd than an IPE of similar depth due to the wider flanges.

National Annex Differences

European National Annexes modify EN 1993-1-1 parameters. Key differences that affect section design:

Always verify that the National Annex of the project jurisdiction is correctly applied.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between IPE, HEA, and HEB sections? IPE (I Profile European) has narrow flanges (b ≈ h/3) and is optimised for bending where lateral-torsional buckling is restrained. HEA (wide flange, light series) has flanges approximately equal to section depth, making it suitable for columns with moderate loads. HEB (wide flange, standard series) has the same geometry as HEA but with 25-40% thicker flanges and webs for higher loads. HEM is the heaviest series, with approximately double the mass of the same-depth HEB.

Can I substitute an IPE section for a UB section in structural design? Not without recalculating. IPE sections have narrower flanges than UB sections of similar depth — an IPE 300 has a 150 mm flange vs a 305×165×40 UB with a 165 mm flange. The narrower flange reduces LTB resistance and changes connection bolt gauge distances. If substituting, re-check bending capacity, shear, deflection, LTB, and connection detailing.

What steel grade should I specify for European sections? S355J2 per EN 10025-2 is the standard structural grade for most European building applications. It provides 355 MPa minimum yield (t ≤ 16 mm) and 27 J Charpy impact toughness at -20°C. S235JR (235 MPa) may be used for lightly loaded secondary members. For bridges and fatigue-loaded structures, S355K2 (40 J at -20°C) or S460ML is typically required. Always check the project specification and the relevant National Annex.

Try it now: Check your beam sizes with our free EU Steel Beam Capacity calculator →

Related Pages

• UK Universal Beam Sizes — UB Section Table
• UK Steel Section Guide — UB, UC, PFC, CHS, SHS
• UK Steel Beam Sizes — UB, UC, PFC Chart
• EN 1993-1-1 Beam Design Guide
• EN 1993 Column Buckling Guide
• Metric Steel Sections — IPE, HEA, HEB, UB, UC
• EN 10025 Steel Grades Guide
• Beam Bending and Shear Calculator
• Column Compression Strength Tool
• Full Section Properties Database
• International Steel Standards Comparison
• How to Verify Calculator Results
• Disclaimer

This page is for educational reference only. All section data sourced from EN 10365:2017 and ArcelorMittal sections catalogues. Verify dimensions and properties against the current standard edition, mill certificates, and the applicable National Annex before procurement or design. Results are PRELIMINARY — NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION without independent PE/SE or CEng verification.

Design Resources

Calculator tools

• Beam Bending and Shear Calculator
• Beam Displacement and Sag Tool
• Beam Calculator — SFD, BMD & Reactions
• Beam Optimizer — Find Most Efficient Section
• Beam Span Table Tool

Design guides

• Steel Beam Calculator Guide
• Beam Capacity Worked Example
• Beam Deflection Worked Example
• Steel Beam Design Workflow
• Steel Beam Span Reference