HE 450 B vs H-400x200x22x36
HE 450 B is an HE section from the European (Continental) range; H-400x200x22x36 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 3980 cm³ against 3968 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.3%. HE 450 B is the lighter of the two at 171 kg/m against 187 kg/m, a saving of 8.6% on steel weight. Both are about 448 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | HE 450 B HE | H-400x200x22x36 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 171 kg/m | 187 kg/m | -8.6% |
| Depth | 450 mm | 446 mm | +0.9% |
| Width | 300 mm | 214 mm | +40.2% |
| Web thickness | 14 mm | 22 mm | -36.4% |
| Flange thickness | 26 mm | 36 mm | -27.8% |
| Area | 218 cm² | 239 cm² | -8.8% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 79,900 cm⁴ | 75,250 cm⁴ | +6.2% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 3,980 cm³ | 3,968 cm³ | +0.3% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 3,550 cm³ | 3,374 cm³ | +5.2% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 11,700 cm⁴ | 5,919 cm⁴ | +97.7% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 1,200 cm³ | 873 cm³ | +37.5% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 7.33 cm | 4.98 cm | +47.2% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 448 cm⁴ | 825 cm⁴ | -45.7% |
HE 450 B to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; H-400x200x22x36 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-400x200x22x36.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, HE 450 B has the larger second moment of area: 79,900 cm⁴ against 75,250 cm⁴, a difference of 6.2%. 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 450 B is the more efficient section: 23.3 against 21.2 cm³ per kg/m, 9.7% 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.
The two diverge much more about the minor axis: HE 450 B has 1200 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 873 cm³, 37.5% 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.
In short, HE 450 B is the stronger section and HE 450 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.