HE 280 A vs HP 10X57
HE 280 A is an HE section from the European (Continental) range; HP 10X57 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 1110 cm³ against 1089.7 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 1.9%. HE 280 A is the lighter of the two at 76.4 kg/m against 84.8 kg/m, a saving of 9.9% on steel weight. HE 280 A is deeper, 270 mm against 253.7 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | HE 280 A HE | HP 10X57 HP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 76.4 kg/m | 84.8 kg/m | -9.9% |
| Depth | 270 mm | 253.7 mm | +6.4% |
| Width | 280 mm | 259.1 mm | +8.1% |
| Web thickness | 8 mm | 14.4 mm | -44.4% |
| Flange thickness | 13 mm | 14.4 mm | -9.7% |
| Area | 97.3 cm² | 107.7 cm² | -9.7% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 13,700 cm⁴ | 12,237 cm⁴ | +12.0% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 1,110 cm³ | 1,089.7 cm³ | +1.9% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 1,010 cm³ | 963.56 cm³ | +4.8% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 4,760 cm⁴ | 4,204 cm⁴ | +13.2% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 518 cm³ | 496.53 cm³ | +4.3% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 7 cm | 6.22 cm | +12.5% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 63.5 cm⁴ | 82 cm⁴ | -22.6% |
HE 280 A to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; HP 10X57 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to HP 10X57.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, HE 280 A has the larger second moment of area: 13,700 cm⁴ against 12,237 cm⁴, a difference of 12.0%. 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 280 A is the more efficient section: 14.5 against 12.9 cm³ per kg/m, 13.1% 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.
These come from different catalogues, so treat the swap as a design change rather than a like-for-like substitution. HE sections are specified to EN 10365 · Continental Steel and HP to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; the steel grades, tolerances and available lengths differ, connection details and bolt gauges are set out differently, and the two are rarely both stocked in the same market. Check availability before changing a section on a drawing to save 9.9% weight.
In short, HE 280 A is the stronger section and HE 280 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.