The European wide flange beams of Euronorm 53-62 come in three series that share the same nominal sizes and, up to 300 mm, the same width: HEA (light), HEB (medium) and HEM (heavy). ArcelorMittal adds an extra-light HEAA series. The number in the designation is the nominal size; the actual depth differs between series because the flange thickness changes while the inner depth stays about the same.
The three series at a glance
- HEA (HE A): thin flanges, the depth is a little less than the nominal size (HEA 200 is 190 mm deep). The lightest standard series, favoured where the member is governed by bending or where mass matters.
- HEB (HE B): the reference series. Up to HEB 300 the section is square, depth equals width (HEB 200 is 200 × 200 mm). The most common column section in continental Europe.
- HEM (HE M): thick flanges and web, depth greater than the nominal size (HEM 200 is 220 mm deep and 206 mm wide). For heavily loaded columns and short, stocky members.
- HEAA (HE AA): lighter than HEA, same width, for members governed by stiffness or for secondary structures.
Dimensions compared
Depth × width in millimetres, with web and flange thickness and mass per metre.
| Size | HEAA | HEA | HEB | HEM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 91 × 100 tw 4.2, tf 5.5, 12.2 kg/m | 96 × 100 tw 5, tf 8, 16.7 kg/m | 100 × 100 tw 6, tf 10, 20.4 kg/m | 120 × 106 tw 12, tf 20, 41.8 kg/m |
| 140 | 128 × 140 tw 4.3, tf 6, 18.1 kg/m | 133 × 140 tw 5.5, tf 8.5, 24.7 kg/m | 140 × 140 tw 7, tf 12, 33.7 kg/m | 160 × 146 tw 13, tf 22, 63.2 kg/m |
| 200 | 186 × 200 tw 5.5, tf 8, 34.6 kg/m | 190 × 200 tw 6.5, tf 10, 42.3 kg/m | 200 × 200 tw 9, tf 15, 61.3 kg/m | 220 × 206 tw 15, tf 25, 103 kg/m |
| 240 | 224 × 240 tw 6.5, tf 9, 47.4 kg/m | 230 × 240 tw 7.5, tf 12, 60.3 kg/m | 240 × 240 tw 10, tf 17, 83.2 kg/m | 270 × 248 tw 18, tf 32, 157 kg/m |
| 300 | 283 × 300 tw 7.5, tf 10.5, 69.8 kg/m | 290 × 300 tw 8.5, tf 14, 88.3 kg/m | 300 × 300 tw 11, tf 19, 117 kg/m | 340 × 310 tw 21, tf 39, 238 kg/m |
| 400 | 378 × 300 tw 9.5, tf 13, 92.4 kg/m | 390 × 300 tw 11, tf 19, 125 kg/m | 400 × 300 tw 13.5, tf 24, 155 kg/m | 432 × 307 tw 21, tf 40, 256 kg/m |
| 500 | 472 × 300 tw 10.5, tf 14, 107 kg/m | 490 × 300 tw 12, tf 23, 155 kg/m | 500 × 300 tw 14.5, tf 28, 187 kg/m | 524 × 306 tw 21, tf 40, 270 kg/m |
| 600 | 571 × 300 tw 12, tf 15.5, 129 kg/m | 590 × 300 tw 13, tf 25, 178 kg/m | 600 × 300 tw 15.5, tf 30, 212 kg/m | 620 × 305 tw 21, tf 40, 285 kg/m |
| 800 | 770 × 300 tw 14, tf 18, 172 kg/m | 790 × 300 tw 15, tf 28, 224 kg/m | 800 × 300 tw 17.5, tf 33, 262 kg/m | 814 × 303 tw 21, tf 40, 317 kg/m |
| 1000 | 970 × 300 tw 16, tf 21, 222 kg/m | 990 × 300 tw 16.5, tf 31, 272 kg/m | 1,000 × 300 tw 19, tf 36, 314 kg/m | 1,008 × 302 tw 21, tf 40, 349 kg/m |
How to choose
- Columns: HEB is the usual starting point. Switch to HEM when the load is high and the size must stay small, or to HEA when the column is lightly loaded and bracing keeps the buckling length short.
- Beams: an IPE of greater depth is normally lighter than an HEA for the same bending resistance. HEA and HEB are chosen for beams when the depth is limited, when the flange must be wide for a bearing or a connection, or when lateral-torsional buckling governs.
- Connections: all three series have parallel flanges. The maximum bolt size and the flange gauge are the same within a nominal size, so a connection detailed for an HEB usually fits the HEA and HEM of that size.
- Availability: HEA and HEB are stocked by most European merchants in S235, S275 and S355. HEM and HEAA are less common and often need mill delivery.
Naming
Both notations are in use and mean the same section: HEA 200 is HE 200 A, HEB 300 is HE 300 B. The old German names IPB (HEB), IPBl (HEA) and IPBv (HEM) still appear in drawings. In the Steel Profiles app, searching for "HEA" lists every HEA size and "HEA 200", "HEA200" and "HE 200 A" all find the same section.
Full properties in Steel Profiles
The free app shows every section with its dimensions and drawing on iPhone, iPad and Mac. The European library unlocks the complete structural properties, the design checks to Eurocode 3, the Equivalent Finder across standards and the comparison of up to three sections. Favorites, weight lists and saved sections sync through iCloud.