UC 254×254×167 vs HE 260 M
UC 254×254×167 is an UC section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); HE 260 M is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. HE 260 M carries more bending: 2520 cm³ of plastic modulus against 2420 cm³, 4.0% more. UC 254×254×167 is the lighter of the two at 167.1 kg/m against 172 kg/m, a saving of 2.8% on steel weight. Both are about 290 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | UC 254×254×167 UC | HE 260 M HE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 167.1 kg/m | 172 kg/m | -2.8% |
| Depth | 289.1 mm | 290 mm | -0.3% |
| Width | 265.2 mm | 268 mm | -1.0% |
| Web thickness | 19.2 mm | 18 mm | +6.7% |
| Flange thickness | 31.7 mm | 32.5 mm | -2.5% |
| Area | 213 cm² | 220 cm² | -3.2% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 30,000 cm⁴ | 31,300 cm⁴ | -4.2% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 2,420 cm³ | 2,520 cm³ | -4.0% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 2,080 cm³ | 2,160 cm³ | -3.7% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 9,870 cm⁴ | 10,400 cm⁴ | -5.1% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 1,140 cm³ | 1,190 cm³ | -4.2% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 6.81 cm | 6.9 cm | -1.3% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 626 cm⁴ | 720 cm⁴ | -13.1% |
UC 254×254×167 to BS EN 10365:2017; HE 260 M to EN 10365 · Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to HE 260 M.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, HE 260 M has the larger second moment of area: 31,300 cm⁴ against 30,000 cm⁴, a difference of 4.2%. 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 (14.5 against 14.7 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 2.8% weight.
In short, HE 260 M is the stronger section and UC 254×254×167 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.