IPE 450 vs H-450x200x9x14-76
IPE 450 is an IPE section from the European (Continental) range; H-450x200x9x14-76 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 1700 cm³ against 1679 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 1.3%. H-450x200x9x14-76 is the lighter of the two at 76 kg/m against 77.6 kg/m, a saving of 2.1% on steel weight. Both are about 450 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | IPE 450 IPE | H-450x200x9x14-76 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 77.6 kg/m | 76 kg/m | +2.1% |
| Depth | 450 mm | 450 mm | same |
| Width | 190 mm | 200 mm | -5.0% |
| Web thickness | 9.4 mm | 9 mm | +4.4% |
| Flange thickness | 14.6 mm | 14 mm | +4.3% |
| Area | 98.8 cm² | 96.8 cm² | +2.1% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 33,700 cm⁴ | 33,450 cm⁴ | +0.7% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 1,700 cm³ | 1,679 cm³ | +1.3% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 1,500 cm³ | 1,487 cm³ | +0.9% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 1,680 cm⁴ | 1,872 cm⁴ | -10.3% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 276 cm³ | 291 cm³ | -5.2% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 4.12 cm | 4.4 cm | -6.4% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 66.7 cm⁴ | 56.9 cm⁴ | +17.2% |
IPE 450 to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; H-450x200x9x14-76 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-450x200x9x14-76.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, IPE 450 has the larger second moment of area: 33,700 cm⁴ against 33,450 cm⁴, a difference of 0.7%. 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 (21.9 against 22.1 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.
In short, IPE 450 is the stronger section and H-450x200x9x14-76 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.