IPE 160 vs UB 152×89×16
IPE 160 is an IPE section from the European (Continental) range; UB 152×89×16 is the closest equivalent in the UK Blue Book (SCI P363). They are close to interchangeable in bending: 124 cm³ against 123 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.8%. They weigh essentially the same, 15.8 kg/m and 16 kg/m. IPE 160 is deeper, 160 mm against 152.4 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | IPE 160 IPE | UB 152×89×16 UB | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 15.8 kg/m | 16 kg/m | -1.2% |
| Depth | 160 mm | 152.4 mm | +5.0% |
| Width | 82 mm | 88.7 mm | -7.6% |
| Web thickness | 5 mm | 4.5 mm | +11.1% |
| Flange thickness | 7.4 mm | 7.7 mm | -3.9% |
| Area | 20.1 cm² | 20.3 cm² | -1.0% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 869 cm⁴ | 834 cm⁴ | +4.2% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 124 cm³ | 123 cm³ | +0.8% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 109 cm³ | 109 cm³ | same |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 68.3 cm⁴ | 89.8 cm⁴ | -23.9% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 26.1 cm³ | 31.2 cm³ | -16.3% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 1.84 cm | 2.1 cm | -12.4% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 3.54 cm⁴ | 3.56 cm⁴ | -0.6% |
IPE 160 to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; UB 152×89×16 to BS EN 10365:2017. Difference is expressed relative to UB 152×89×16.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, IPE 160 has the larger second moment of area: 869 cm⁴ against 834 cm⁴, a difference of 4.2%. 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, IPE 160 is the more efficient section: 7.8 against 7.7 cm³ per kg/m, 2.1% 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: UB 152×89×16 has 31.2 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 26.1 cm³, 16.3% 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. IPE sections are specified to EN 10365 · Continental Steel and UB to BS EN 10365:2017; 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.