UB 610×305×179 vs IPE V 600
UB 610×305×179 is an UB section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); IPE V 600 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. UB 610×305×179 carries more bending: 5550 cm³ of plastic modulus against 5320 cm³, 4.3% more. UB 610×305×179 is the lighter of the two at 179 kg/m against 184 kg/m, a saving of 2.7% on steel weight. Both are about 619 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | UB 610×305×179 UB | IPE V 600 IPE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 179 kg/m | 184 kg/m | -2.7% |
| Depth | 620.2 mm | 618 mm | +0.4% |
| Width | 307.1 mm | 228 mm | +34.7% |
| Web thickness | 14.1 mm | 18 mm | -21.7% |
| Flange thickness | 23.6 mm | 28 mm | -15.7% |
| Area | 228 cm² | 234 cm² | -2.6% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 153,000 cm⁴ | 142,000 cm⁴ | +7.7% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 5,550 cm³ | 5,320 cm³ | +4.3% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 4,930 cm³ | 4,580 cm³ | +7.6% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 11,400 cm⁴ | 5,570 cm⁴ | +104.7% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 1,140 cm³ | 780 cm³ | +46.2% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 7.07 cm | 4.88 cm | +44.9% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 340 cm⁴ | 506 cm⁴ | -32.8% |
UB 610×305×179 to BS EN 10365:2017; IPE V 600 to EN 10365 · Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to IPE V 600.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, UB 610×305×179 has the larger second moment of area: 153,000 cm⁴ against 142,000 cm⁴, a difference of 7.7%. 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, UB 610×305×179 is the more efficient section: 31.0 against 28.9 cm³ per kg/m, 7.2% 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: UB 610×305×179 has 1140 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 780 cm³, 46.2% 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. 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 2.7% weight.
In short, UB 610×305×179 is the stronger section and UB 610×305×179 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.