IPE 500 vs H-500x200x10x16-89.6
IPE 500 is an IPE section from the European (Continental) range; H-500x200x10x16-89.6 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 2190 cm³ against 2175 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.7%. They weigh essentially the same, 90.7 kg/m and 89.6 kg/m. Both are about 500 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | IPE 500 IPE | H-500x200x10x16-89.6 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 90.7 kg/m | 89.6 kg/m | +1.2% |
| Depth | 500 mm | 500 mm | same |
| Width | 200 mm | 200 mm | same |
| Web thickness | 10.2 mm | 10 mm | +2.0% |
| Flange thickness | 16 mm | 16 mm | same |
| Area | 116 cm² | 114 cm² | +1.8% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 48,200 cm⁴ | 47,850 cm⁴ | +0.7% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 2,190 cm³ | 2,175 cm³ | +0.7% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 1,930 cm³ | 1,914 cm³ | +0.8% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 2,140 cm⁴ | 2,142 cm⁴ | -0.1% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 336 cm³ | 335 cm³ | +0.3% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 4.31 cm | 4.33 cm | -0.5% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 89.1 cm⁴ | 85.9 cm⁴ | +3.7% |
IPE 500 to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; H-500x200x10x16-89.6 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-500x200x10x16-89.6.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, IPE 500 has the larger second moment of area: 48,200 cm⁴ against 47,850 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 (24.1 against 24.3 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, these two are genuine equivalents. Pick whichever your supplier stocks and the rest of the frame already uses.