UB 1016×305×222 vs HE 1000 AA
UB 1016×305×222 is an UB section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); HE 1000 AA is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 9810 cm³ against 9780 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.3%. They weigh essentially the same, 222 kg/m and 222 kg/m. Both are about 970 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | UB 1016×305×222 UB | HE 1000 AA HE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 222 kg/m | 222 kg/m | same |
| Depth | 970.3 mm | 970 mm | same |
| Width | 300 mm | 300 mm | same |
| Web thickness | 16 mm | 16 mm | same |
| Flange thickness | 21.1 mm | 21 mm | +0.5% |
| Area | 283 cm² | 282 cm² | +0.4% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 408,000 cm⁴ | 406,000 cm⁴ | +0.5% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 9,810 cm³ | 9,780 cm³ | +0.3% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 8,410 cm³ | 8,380 cm³ | +0.4% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 9,550 cm⁴ | 9,500 cm⁴ | +0.5% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 1,020 cm³ | 1,020 cm³ | same |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 5.81 cm | 5.8 cm | +0.2% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 390 cm⁴ | 387 cm⁴ | +0.8% |
UB 1016×305×222 to BS EN 10365:2017; HE 1000 AA to EN 10365 · Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to HE 1000 AA.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, UB 1016×305×222 has the larger second moment of area: 408,000 cm⁴ against 406,000 cm⁴, a difference of 0.5%. 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 (44.2 against 44.1 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.
These come from different catalogues, so treat the swap as a design change rather than a like-for-like substitution. UB sections are specified to BS EN 10365:2017 and HE to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; 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 a marginal amount of weight.
In short, these two are genuine equivalents. Pick whichever your supplier stocks and the rest of the frame already uses.