IPE 240 vs H-250x125x6x9-29.6
IPE 240 is an IPE section from the European (Continental) range; H-250x125x6x9-29.6 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 367 cm³ against 366 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.3%. H-250x125x6x9-29.6 is the lighter of the two at 29.6 kg/m against 30.7 kg/m, a saving of 3.7% on steel weight. H-250x125x6x9-29.6 is deeper, 250 mm against 240 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | IPE 240 IPE | H-250x125x6x9-29.6 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 30.7 kg/m | 29.6 kg/m | +3.7% |
| Depth | 240 mm | 250 mm | -4.0% |
| Width | 120 mm | 125 mm | -4.0% |
| Web thickness | 6.2 mm | 6 mm | +3.3% |
| Flange thickness | 9.8 mm | 9 mm | +8.9% |
| Area | 39.1 cm² | 37.7 cm² | +3.7% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 3,890 cm⁴ | 4,052 cm⁴ | -4.0% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 367 cm³ | 366 cm³ | +0.3% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 324 cm³ | 324 cm³ | same |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 284 cm⁴ | 294 cm⁴ | -3.4% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 73.9 cm³ | 73.1 cm³ | +1.1% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 2.69 cm | 2.79 cm | -3.6% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 13 cm⁴ | 9.68 cm⁴ | +34.3% |
IPE 240 to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; H-250x125x6x9-29.6 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-250x125x6x9-29.6.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, H-250x125x6x9-29.6 has the larger second moment of area: 4,052 cm⁴ against 3,890 cm⁴, a difference of 4.0%. 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, H-250x125x6x9-29.6 is the more efficient section: 12.4 against 12.0 cm³ per kg/m, 3.3% 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, IPE 240 is the stronger section and H-250x125x6x9-29.6 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.