IPE 400 vs H-400x200x8x13-65.4
IPE 400 is an IPE section from the European (Continental) range; H-400x200x8x13-65.4 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 1310 cm³ against 1313 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.2%. They weigh essentially the same, 66.3 kg/m and 65.4 kg/m. Both are about 400 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | IPE 400 IPE | H-400x200x8x13-65.4 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 66.3 kg/m | 65.4 kg/m | +1.4% |
| Depth | 400 mm | 400 mm | same |
| Width | 180 mm | 200 mm | -10.0% |
| Web thickness | 8.6 mm | 8 mm | +7.5% |
| Flange thickness | 13.5 mm | 13 mm | +3.8% |
| Area | 84.5 cm² | 83.4 cm² | +1.3% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 23,100 cm⁴ | 23,460 cm⁴ | -1.5% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 1,310 cm³ | 1,313 cm³ | -0.2% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 1,160 cm³ | 1,173 cm³ | -1.1% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 1,320 cm⁴ | 1,736 cm⁴ | -24.0% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 229 cm³ | 267 cm³ | -14.2% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 3.95 cm | 4.56 cm | -13.4% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 51.3 cm⁴ | 39.6 cm⁴ | +29.5% |
IPE 400 to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; H-400x200x8x13-65.4 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-400x200x8x13-65.4.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, H-400x200x8x13-65.4 has the larger second moment of area: 23,460 cm⁴ against 23,100 cm⁴, a difference of 1.5%. 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, the two are equally efficient (19.8 against 20.1 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-400x200x8x13-65.4 has 267 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 229 cm³, 14.2% 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.