UC 152×152×30 vs HE 160 A
UC 152×152×30 is an UC section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); HE 160 A is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 248 cm³ against 245 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 1.2%. They weigh essentially the same, 30 kg/m and 30.4 kg/m. UC 152×152×30 is deeper, 157.6 mm against 152 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | UC 152×152×30 UC | HE 160 A HE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 30 kg/m | 30.4 kg/m | -1.3% |
| Depth | 157.6 mm | 152 mm | +3.7% |
| Width | 152.9 mm | 160 mm | -4.4% |
| Web thickness | 6.5 mm | 6 mm | +8.3% |
| Flange thickness | 9.4 mm | 9 mm | +4.4% |
| Area | 38.3 cm² | 38.8 cm² | -1.3% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 1,750 cm⁴ | 1,670 cm⁴ | +4.8% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 248 cm³ | 245 cm³ | +1.2% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 222 cm³ | 220 cm³ | +0.9% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 560 cm⁴ | 616 cm⁴ | -9.1% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 112 cm³ | 118 cm³ | -5.1% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 3.83 cm | 3.98 cm | -3.8% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 10.5 cm⁴ | 12.1 cm⁴ | -13.2% |
UC 152×152×30 to BS EN 10365:2017; HE 160 A to EN 10365 · Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to HE 160 A.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, UC 152×152×30 has the larger second moment of area: 1,750 cm⁴ against 1,670 cm⁴, a difference of 4.8%. 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, UC 152×152×30 is the more efficient section: 8.3 against 8.1 cm³ per kg/m, 2.6% 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.
These come from different catalogues, so treat the swap as a design change rather than a like-for-like substitution. UC 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.