HE 200 A vs H-200x200x6.5x10
HE 200 A is an HE section from the European (Continental) range; H-200x200x6.5x10 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 430 cm³ against 433 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.7%. H-200x200x6.5x10 is the lighter of the two at 41.4 kg/m against 42.3 kg/m, a saving of 2.2% on steel weight. H-200x200x6.5x10 is deeper, 196 mm against 190 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | HE 200 A HE | H-200x200x6.5x10 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 42.3 kg/m | 41.4 kg/m | +2.2% |
| Depth | 190 mm | 196 mm | -3.1% |
| Width | 200 mm | 199 mm | +0.5% |
| Web thickness | 6.5 mm | 6.5 mm | same |
| Flange thickness | 10 mm | 10 mm | same |
| Area | 53.8 cm² | 52.7 cm² | +2.1% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 3,690 cm⁴ | 3,846 cm⁴ | -4.1% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 430 cm³ | 433 cm³ | -0.7% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 389 cm³ | 392 cm³ | -0.8% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 1,340 cm⁴ | 1,315 cm⁴ | +1.9% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 204 cm³ | 201 cm³ | +1.5% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 4.98 cm | 5 cm | -0.4% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 21 cm⁴ | 17.6 cm⁴ | +19.3% |
HE 200 A to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; H-200x200x6.5x10 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-200x200x6.5x10.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, H-200x200x6.5x10 has the larger second moment of area: 3,846 cm⁴ against 3,690 cm⁴, a difference of 4.1%. 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, H-200x200x6.5x10 is the more efficient section: 10.5 against 10.2 cm³ per kg/m, 2.8% 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-200x200x6.5x10 is the stronger section and H-200x200x6.5x10 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.