HE 320 A vs HP 12X74
HE 320 A is an HE section from the European (Continental) range; HP 12X74 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. HP 12X74 carries more bending: 1720.6 cm³ of plastic modulus against 1630 cm³, 5.3% more. HE 320 A is the lighter of the two at 97.6 kg/m against 110.1 kg/m, a saving of 11.4% on steel weight. Both are about 309 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | HE 320 A HE | HP 12X74 HP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 97.6 kg/m | 110.1 kg/m | -11.4% |
| Depth | 310 mm | 307.3 mm | +0.9% |
| Width | 300 mm | 309.9 mm | -3.2% |
| Web thickness | 9 mm | 15.4 mm | -41.6% |
| Flange thickness | 15.5 mm | 15.5 mm | same |
| Area | 124 cm² | 140.6 cm² | -11.8% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 22,900 cm⁴ | 23,684 cm⁴ | -3.3% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 1,630 cm³ | 1,720.6 cm³ | -5.3% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 1,480 cm³ | 1,537.1 cm³ | -3.7% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 6,980 cm⁴ | 7,742 cm⁴ | -9.8% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 710 cm³ | 763.64 cm³ | -7.0% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 7.49 cm | 7.42 cm | +0.9% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 112 cm⁴ | 124 cm⁴ | -9.7% |
HE 320 A to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; HP 12X74 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to HP 12X74.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, HP 12X74 has the larger second moment of area: 23,684 cm⁴ against 22,900 cm⁴, a difference of 3.3%. 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 320 A is the more efficient section: 16.7 against 15.6 cm³ per kg/m, 6.9% 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 11.4% weight.
In short, HP 12X74 is the stronger section and HE 320 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.