IPE 200 vs H-200x100x5.5x8-21.3
IPE 200 is an IPE section from the European (Continental) range; H-200x100x5.5x8-21.3 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. IPE 200 carries more bending: 221 cm³ of plastic modulus against 209 cm³, 5.7% more. H-200x100x5.5x8-21.3 is the lighter of the two at 21.3 kg/m against 22.4 kg/m, a saving of 5.2% on steel weight. Both are about 200 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | IPE 200 IPE | H-200x100x5.5x8-21.3 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 22.4 kg/m | 21.3 kg/m | +5.2% |
| Depth | 200 mm | 200 mm | same |
| Width | 100 mm | 100 mm | same |
| Web thickness | 5.6 mm | 5.5 mm | +1.8% |
| Flange thickness | 8.5 mm | 8 mm | +6.3% |
| Area | 28.5 cm² | 27.2 cm² | +4.8% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 1,940 cm⁴ | 1,844 cm⁴ | +5.2% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 221 cm³ | 209 cm³ | +5.7% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 194 cm³ | 184 cm³ | +5.4% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 142 cm⁴ | 134 cm⁴ | +6.0% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 44.6 cm³ | 41.9 cm³ | +6.4% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 2.24 cm | 2.22 cm | +0.9% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 6.92 cm⁴ | 5.77 cm⁴ | +19.9% |
IPE 200 to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; H-200x100x5.5x8-21.3 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-200x100x5.5x8-21.3.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, IPE 200 has the larger second moment of area: 1,940 cm⁴ against 1,844 cm⁴, a difference of 5.2%. 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, the two are equally efficient (9.9 against 9.8 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.
In short, IPE 200 is the stronger section and H-200x100x5.5x8-21.3 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.