UC 254×254×132 vs HE 260 C
UC 254×254×132 is an UC section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); HE 260 C is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 1870 cm³ against 1880 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.5%. They weigh essentially the same, 132 kg/m and 132 kg/m. Both are about 276 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | UC 254×254×132 UC | HE 260 C HE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 132 kg/m | 132 kg/m | same |
| Depth | 276.3 mm | 275 mm | +0.5% |
| Width | 261.3 mm | 264 mm | -1.0% |
| Web thickness | 15.3 mm | 14 mm | +9.3% |
| Flange thickness | 25.3 mm | 25 mm | +1.2% |
| Area | 168 cm² | 168 cm² | same |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 22,500 cm⁴ | 22,600 cm⁴ | -0.4% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 1,870 cm³ | 1,880 cm³ | -0.5% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 1,630 cm³ | 1,640 cm³ | -0.6% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 7,530 cm⁴ | 7,680 cm⁴ | -2.0% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 878 cm³ | 888 cm³ | -1.1% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 6.69 cm | 6.75 cm | -0.9% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 319 cm⁴ | 340 cm⁴ | -6.2% |
UC 254×254×132 to BS EN 10365:2017; HE 260 C to EN 10365 · Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to HE 260 C.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, HE 260 C has the larger second moment of area: 22,600 cm⁴ against 22,500 cm⁴, a difference of 0.4%. 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 (14.2 against 14.2 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. 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.