IPE 270 vs UB 254×146×37
IPE 270 is an IPE section from the European (Continental) range; UB 254×146×37 is the closest equivalent in the UK Blue Book (SCI P363). They are close to interchangeable in bending: 484 cm³ against 483 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.2%. IPE 270 is the lighter of the two at 36.1 kg/m against 37 kg/m, a saving of 2.4% on steel weight. IPE 270 is deeper, 270 mm against 256 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | IPE 270 IPE | UB 254×146×37 UB | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 36.1 kg/m | 37 kg/m | -2.4% |
| Depth | 270 mm | 256 mm | +5.5% |
| Width | 135 mm | 146.4 mm | -7.8% |
| Web thickness | 6.6 mm | 6.3 mm | +4.8% |
| Flange thickness | 10.2 mm | 10.9 mm | -6.4% |
| Area | 45.9 cm² | 47.2 cm² | -2.8% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 5,790 cm⁴ | 5,540 cm⁴ | +4.5% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 484 cm³ | 483 cm³ | +0.2% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 429 cm³ | 433 cm³ | -0.9% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 420 cm⁴ | 571 cm⁴ | -26.4% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 97 cm³ | 119 cm³ | -18.5% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 3.02 cm | 3.48 cm | -13.2% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 15.9 cm⁴ | 15.3 cm⁴ | +3.9% |
IPE 270 to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; UB 254×146×37 to BS EN 10365:2017. Difference is expressed relative to UB 254×146×37.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, IPE 270 has the larger second moment of area: 5,790 cm⁴ against 5,540 cm⁴, a difference of 4.5%. 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 270 is the more efficient section: 13.4 against 13.1 cm³ per kg/m, 2.7% 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: UB 254×146×37 has 119 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 97 cm³, 18.5% 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.
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 2.4% weight.
In short, IPE 270 is the stronger section and IPE 270 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.