HE 340 B vs HP 14X89
HE 340 B is an HE section from the European (Continental) range; HP 14X89 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 2410 cm³ against 2392.5 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.7%. They weigh essentially the same, 134 kg/m and 132.4 kg/m. HP 14X89 is deeper, 350.5 mm against 340 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | HE 340 B HE | HP 14X89 HP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 134 kg/m | 132.4 kg/m | +1.2% |
| Depth | 340 mm | 350.5 mm | -3.0% |
| Width | 300 mm | 373.4 mm | -19.7% |
| Web thickness | 12 mm | 15.6 mm | -23.1% |
| Flange thickness | 21.5 mm | 15.6 mm | +37.8% |
| Area | 171 cm² | 168.4 cm² | +1.5% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 36,700 cm⁴ | 37,627 cm⁴ | -2.5% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 2,410 cm³ | 2,392.5 cm³ | +0.7% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 2,160 cm³ | 2,146.7 cm³ | +0.6% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 9,690 cm⁴ | 13,569 cm⁴ | -28.6% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 986 cm³ | 1,109.4 cm³ | -11.1% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 7.53 cm | 8.97 cm | -16.1% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 263 cm⁴ | 149.4 cm⁴ | +76.0% |
HE 340 B to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; HP 14X89 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to HP 14X89.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, HP 14X89 has the larger second moment of area: 37,627 cm⁴ against 36,700 cm⁴, a difference of 2.5%. 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, the two are equally efficient (18.0 against 18.1 cm³ per kg/m), so on a pure steel-tonnage basis there is nothing to choose between them. The decision comes down to availability, connection detailing and what the rest of the frame uses.
The two diverge much more about the minor axis: HP 14X89 has 1109.4 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 986 cm³, 11.1% more. If the member sees any minor-axis bending, or if it is unrestrained over a long length and lateral-torsional buckling governs, that gap decides the comparison even though the major-axis numbers looked equivalent.
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 a marginal amount of weight.
In short, these two are genuine equivalents. Pick whichever your supplier stocks and the rest of the frame already uses.