HE 300 A vs H-300x300x9x14
HE 300 A is an HE section from the European (Continental) range; H-300x300x9x14 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 1380 cm³ against 1389 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.6%. They weigh essentially the same, 88.3 kg/m and 87 kg/m. H-300x300x9x14 is deeper, 298 mm against 290 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | HE 300 A HE | H-300x300x9x14 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 88.3 kg/m | 87 kg/m | +1.5% |
| Depth | 290 mm | 298 mm | -2.7% |
| Width | 300 mm | 299 mm | +0.3% |
| Web thickness | 8.5 mm | 9 mm | -5.6% |
| Flange thickness | 14 mm | 14 mm | same |
| Area | 112 cm² | 111 cm² | +0.9% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 18,300 cm⁴ | 18,850 cm⁴ | -2.9% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 1,380 cm³ | 1,389 cm³ | -0.6% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 1,260 cm³ | 1,265 cm³ | -0.4% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 6,310 cm⁴ | 6,242 cm⁴ | +1.1% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 641 cm³ | 634 cm³ | +1.1% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 7.49 cm | 7.51 cm | -0.3% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 87.8 cm⁴ | 71.3 cm⁴ | +23.1% |
HE 300 A to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; H-300x300x9x14 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-300x300x9x14.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, H-300x300x9x14 has the larger second moment of area: 18,850 cm⁴ against 18,300 cm⁴, a difference of 2.9%. 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 of steel, H-300x300x9x14 is the more efficient section: 16.0 against 15.6 cm³ per kg/m, 2.1% 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.
In short, these two are genuine equivalents. Pick whichever your supplier stocks and the rest of the frame already uses.