IPE 600 vs S 24X90
IPE 600 is an IPE section from the European (Continental) range; S 24X90 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. S 24X90 carries more bending: 3637.9 cm³ of plastic modulus against 3510 cm³, 3.5% more. IPE 600 is the lighter of the two at 122 kg/m against 133.9 kg/m, a saving of 8.9% on steel weight. Both are about 605 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | IPE 600 IPE | S 24X90 S | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 122 kg/m | 133.9 kg/m | -8.9% |
| Depth | 600 mm | 609.6 mm | -1.6% |
| Width | 220 mm | 181.1 mm | +21.5% |
| Web thickness | 12 mm | 15.9 mm | -24.5% |
| Flange thickness | 19 mm | 22.1 mm | -14.0% |
| Area | 156 cm² | 171 cm² | -8.8% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 92,100 cm⁴ | 93,652 cm⁴ | -1.7% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 3,510 cm³ | 3,637.9 cm³ | -3.5% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 3,070 cm³ | 3,064.4 cm³ | +0.2% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 3,390 cm⁴ | 1,861 cm⁴ | +82.2% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 486 cm³ | 367.07 cm³ | +32.4% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 4.66 cm | 3.3 cm | +41.2% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 165 cm⁴ | 251.8 cm⁴ | -34.5% |
IPE 600 to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; S 24X90 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to S 24X90.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, S 24X90 has the larger second moment of area: 93,652 cm⁴ against 92,100 cm⁴, a difference of 1.7%. 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 of steel, IPE 600 is the more efficient section: 28.8 against 27.2 cm³ per kg/m, 5.9% 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: IPE 600 has 486 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 367.07 cm³, 32.4% 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 S to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; 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 8.9% weight.
In short, S 24X90 is the stronger section and IPE 600 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.