IPE 360 vs H-350x175x8x13
IPE 360 is an IPE section from the European (Continental) range; H-350x175x8x13 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 1020 cm³ against 1022 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.2%. They weigh essentially the same, 57.1 kg/m and 57.8 kg/m. Both are about 357 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | IPE 360 IPE | H-350x175x8x13 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 57.1 kg/m | 57.8 kg/m | -1.2% |
| Depth | 360 mm | 354 mm | +1.7% |
| Width | 170 mm | 176 mm | -3.4% |
| Web thickness | 8 mm | 8 mm | same |
| Flange thickness | 12.7 mm | 13 mm | -2.3% |
| Area | 72.7 cm² | 73.7 cm² | -1.4% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 16,300 cm⁴ | 16,100 cm⁴ | +1.2% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 1,020 cm³ | 1,022 cm³ | -0.2% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 904 cm³ | 909 cm³ | -0.6% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 1,040 cm⁴ | 1,184 cm⁴ | -12.2% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 191 cm³ | 208 cm³ | -8.2% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 3.79 cm | 4.01 cm | -5.5% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 37.4 cm⁴ | 36.1 cm⁴ | +3.6% |
IPE 360 to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; H-350x175x8x13 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-350x175x8x13.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, IPE 360 has the larger second moment of area: 16,300 cm⁴ against 16,100 cm⁴, a difference of 1.2%. 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 (17.9 against 17.7 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.
The two diverge much more about the minor axis: H-350x175x8x13 has 208 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 191 cm³, 8.2% 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.
In short, these two are genuine equivalents. Pick whichever your supplier stocks and the rest of the frame already uses.