HE 650 A vs H-600x300x16x27
HE 650 A is an HE section from the European (Continental) range; H-600x300x16x27 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 6140 cm³ against 6101 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.6%. HE 650 A is the lighter of the two at 190 kg/m against 203 kg/m, a saving of 6.4% on steel weight. HE 650 A is deeper, 640 mm against 602 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | HE 650 A HE | H-600x300x16x27 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 190 kg/m | 203 kg/m | -6.4% |
| Depth | 640 mm | 602 mm | +6.3% |
| Width | 300 mm | 304 mm | -1.3% |
| Web thickness | 13.5 mm | 16 mm | -15.6% |
| Flange thickness | 26 mm | 27 mm | -3.7% |
| Area | 242 cm² | 259 cm² | -6.6% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 175,000 cm⁴ | 162,600 cm⁴ | +7.6% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 6,140 cm³ | 6,101 cm³ | +0.6% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 5,470 cm³ | 5,401 cm³ | +1.3% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 11,700 cm⁴ | 12,680 cm⁴ | -7.7% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 1,200 cm³ | 1,292 cm³ | -7.1% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 6.97 cm | 7 cm | -0.4% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 458 cm⁴ | 551 cm⁴ | -16.9% |
HE 650 A to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; H-600x300x16x27 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-600x300x16x27.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, HE 650 A has the larger second moment of area: 175,000 cm⁴ against 162,600 cm⁴, a difference of 7.6%. 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 650 A is the more efficient section: 32.3 against 30.1 cm³ per kg/m, 7.5% 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 650 A is the stronger section and HE 650 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.