UB 610×229×113 vs IPE A 600
UB 610×229×113 is an UB section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); IPE A 600 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. UB 610×229×113 carries more bending: 3280 cm³ of plastic modulus against 3140 cm³, 4.5% more. IPE A 600 is the lighter of the two at 108 kg/m against 113 kg/m, a saving of 4.6% on steel weight. Both are about 602 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | UB 610×229×113 UB | IPE A 600 IPE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 113 kg/m | 108 kg/m | +4.6% |
| Depth | 607.6 mm | 597 mm | +1.8% |
| Width | 228.2 mm | 220 mm | +3.7% |
| Web thickness | 11.1 mm | 9.8 mm | +13.3% |
| Flange thickness | 17.3 mm | 17.5 mm | -1.1% |
| Area | 144 cm² | 137 cm² | +5.1% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 87,300 cm⁴ | 82,900 cm⁴ | +5.3% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 3,280 cm³ | 3,140 cm³ | +4.5% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 2,870 cm³ | 2,780 cm³ | +3.2% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 3,430 cm⁴ | 3,120 cm⁴ | +9.9% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 469 cm³ | 442 cm³ | +6.1% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 4.88 cm | 4.77 cm | +2.3% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 111 cm⁴ | 122 cm⁴ | -9.0% |
UB 610×229×113 to BS EN 10365:2017; IPE A 600 to EN 10365 · Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to IPE A 600.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, UB 610×229×113 has the larger second moment of area: 87,300 cm⁴ against 82,900 cm⁴, a difference of 5.3%. 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 (29.0 against 29.1 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 IPE 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 4.6% weight.
In short, UB 610×229×113 is the stronger section and IPE A 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.