HE 320 B vs H-350x350x10x16-115
HE 320 B is an HE section from the European (Continental) range; H-350x350x10x16-115 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 2150 cm³ against 2153 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.1%. H-350x350x10x16-115 is the lighter of the two at 115 kg/m against 127 kg/m, a saving of 10.4% on steel weight. H-350x350x10x16-115 is deeper, 344 mm against 320 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | HE 320 B HE | H-350x350x10x16-115 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 127 kg/m | 115 kg/m | +10.4% |
| Depth | 320 mm | 344 mm | -7.0% |
| Width | 300 mm | 354 mm | -15.3% |
| Web thickness | 11.5 mm | 10 mm | +15.0% |
| Flange thickness | 20.5 mm | 16 mm | +28.1% |
| Area | 161 cm² | 148 cm² | +8.8% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 30,800 cm⁴ | 33,810 cm⁴ | -8.9% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 2,150 cm³ | 2,153 cm³ | -0.1% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 1,930 cm³ | 1,966 cm³ | -1.8% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 9,240 cm⁴ | 11,840 cm⁴ | -22.0% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 939 cm³ | 1,014 cm³ | -7.4% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 7.57 cm | 8.95 cm | -15.4% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 230 cm⁴ | 123 cm⁴ | +87.0% |
HE 320 B to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; H-350x350x10x16-115 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-350x350x10x16-115.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, H-350x350x10x16-115 has the larger second moment of area: 33,810 cm⁴ against 30,800 cm⁴, a difference of 8.9%. 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-350x350x10x16-115 is the more efficient section: 18.7 against 16.9 cm³ per kg/m, 9.6% 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, H-350x350x10x16-115 is the stronger section and H-350x350x10x16-115 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.