HE 160 A vs H-150x150x7x10-31.5
HE 160 A is an HE section from the European (Continental) range; H-150x150x7x10-31.5 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 245 cm³ against 246 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.4%. HE 160 A is the lighter of the two at 30.4 kg/m against 31.5 kg/m, a saving of 3.5% on steel weight. Both are about 151 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | HE 160 A HE | H-150x150x7x10-31.5 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 30.4 kg/m | 31.5 kg/m | -3.5% |
| Depth | 152 mm | 150 mm | +1.3% |
| Width | 160 mm | 150 mm | +6.7% |
| Web thickness | 6 mm | 7 mm | -14.3% |
| Flange thickness | 9 mm | 10 mm | -10.0% |
| Area | 38.8 cm² | 40.1 cm² | -3.2% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 1,670 cm⁴ | 1,641 cm⁴ | +1.8% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 245 cm³ | 246 cm³ | -0.4% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 220 cm³ | 219 cm³ | +0.5% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 616 cm⁴ | 563 cm⁴ | +9.4% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 118 cm³ | 115 cm³ | +2.6% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 3.98 cm | 3.75 cm | +6.1% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 12.1 cm⁴ | 13.5 cm⁴ | -10.4% |
HE 160 A to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; H-150x150x7x10-31.5 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-150x150x7x10-31.5.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, HE 160 A has the larger second moment of area: 1,670 cm⁴ against 1,641 cm⁴, a difference of 1.8%. This matters more often than the strength comparison, because on normal floor spans deflection rather than bending capacity sets the beam size - so if the two are close on modulus but apart on inertia, the stiffer one is usually the better answer even when it is not the stronger one.
Measured as bending capacity per kilogram of steel, HE 160 A is the more efficient section: 8.1 against 7.8 cm³ per kg/m, 3.2% better. Over a floor of repeated beams that difference is real tonnage, though it is often outweighed by whichever section the fabricator can actually source.
In short, H-150x150x7x10-31.5 is the stronger section and HE 160 A is the lighter one; where those are the same section, it is the clear choice, and where they are not, decide on whether your design is governed by capacity or by tonnage.