HE 320 A vs H-300x300x15x15
HE 320 A is an HE section from the European (Continental) range; H-300x300x15x15 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. HE 320 A carries more bending: 1630 cm³ of plastic modulus against 1596 cm³, 2.1% more. HE 320 A is the lighter of the two at 97.6 kg/m against 105 kg/m, a saving of 7.0% on steel weight. HE 320 A is deeper, 310 mm against 300 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | HE 320 A HE | H-300x300x15x15 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 97.6 kg/m | 105 kg/m | -7.0% |
| Depth | 310 mm | 300 mm | +3.3% |
| Width | 300 mm | 305 mm | -1.6% |
| Web thickness | 9 mm | 15 mm | -40.0% |
| Flange thickness | 15.5 mm | 15 mm | +3.3% |
| Area | 124 cm² | 133 cm² | -6.8% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 22,900 cm⁴ | 21,310 cm⁴ | +7.5% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 1,630 cm³ | 1,596 cm³ | +2.1% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 1,480 cm³ | 1,421 cm³ | +4.2% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 6,980 cm⁴ | 7,103 cm⁴ | -1.7% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 710 cm³ | 714 cm³ | -0.6% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 7.49 cm | 7.3 cm | +2.6% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 112 cm⁴ | 109 cm⁴ | +2.8% |
HE 320 A to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; H-300x300x15x15 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-300x300x15x15.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, HE 320 A has the larger second moment of area: 22,900 cm⁴ against 21,310 cm⁴, a difference of 7.5%. 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 15.2 cm³ per kg/m, 9.9% 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.
In short, HE 320 A 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.