HE 320 B vs HP 12X89
HE 320 B is an HE section from the European (Continental) range; HP 12X89 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. HE 320 B carries more bending: 2150 cm³ of plastic modulus against 2081.2 cm³, 3.3% more. HE 320 B is the lighter of the two at 127 kg/m against 132.4 kg/m, a saving of 4.1% on steel weight. Both are about 318 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | HE 320 B HE | HP 12X89 HP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 127 kg/m | 132.4 kg/m | -4.1% |
| Depth | 320 mm | 315 mm | +1.6% |
| Width | 300 mm | 312.4 mm | -4.0% |
| Web thickness | 11.5 mm | 18.3 mm | -37.2% |
| Flange thickness | 20.5 mm | 18.3 mm | +12.0% |
| Area | 161 cm² | 167.1 cm² | -3.7% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 30,800 cm⁴ | 28,845 cm⁴ | +6.8% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 2,150 cm³ | 2,081.2 cm³ | +3.3% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 1,930 cm³ | 1,835.4 cm³ | +5.2% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 9,240 cm⁴ | 9,324 cm⁴ | -0.9% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 939 cm³ | 917.68 cm³ | +2.3% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 7.57 cm | 7.47 cm | +1.3% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 230 cm⁴ | 204.8 cm⁴ | +12.3% |
HE 320 B to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; HP 12X89 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to HP 12X89.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, HE 320 B has the larger second moment of area: 30,800 cm⁴ against 28,845 cm⁴, a difference of 6.8%. 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 B is the more efficient section: 16.9 against 15.7 cm³ per kg/m, 7.7% 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 4.1% weight.
In short, HE 320 B is the stronger section and HE 320 B 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.