HE 240 B vs H-250x250x14x14
HE 240 B is an HE section from the European (Continental) range; H-250x250x14x14 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 1050 cm³ against 1031 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 1.8%. They weigh essentially the same, 83.2 kg/m and 81.6 kg/m. H-250x250x14x14 is deeper, 250 mm against 240 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | HE 240 B HE | H-250x250x14x14 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 83.2 kg/m | 81.6 kg/m | +2.0% |
| Depth | 240 mm | 250 mm | -4.0% |
| Width | 240 mm | 255 mm | -5.9% |
| Web thickness | 10 mm | 14 mm | -28.6% |
| Flange thickness | 17 mm | 14 mm | +21.4% |
| Area | 106 cm² | 104 cm² | +1.9% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 11,300 cm⁴ | 11,400 cm⁴ | -0.9% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 1,050 cm³ | 1,031 cm³ | +1.8% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 938 cm³ | 912 cm³ | +2.9% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 3,920 cm⁴ | 3,876 cm⁴ | +1.1% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 498 cm³ | 467 cm³ | +6.6% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 6.08 cm | 6.11 cm | -0.5% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 104 cm⁴ | 75.4 cm⁴ | +37.9% |
HE 240 B to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; H-250x250x14x14 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-250x250x14x14.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, H-250x250x14x14 has the larger second moment of area: 11,400 cm⁴ against 11,300 cm⁴, a difference of 0.9%. 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, the two are equally efficient (12.6 against 12.6 cm³ per kg/m), so on a pure steel-tonnage basis there is nothing to choose between them. The decision comes down to availability, connection detailing and what the rest of the frame uses.
In short, these two are genuine equivalents. Pick whichever your supplier stocks and the rest of the frame already uses.