HEA Beams: Characteristics and Differences Compared to IPE Beams

When we face structural design, the elements that will make up our project are many, and for each of them, we will have to select the best geometric, dimensional, and performance characteristics. Fortunately, specific structural calculation software exists to assist us in this complex task, offering a modular solution for every challenge.

Among the most important structural elements, we certainly find the beam, available on the market in various sections and sizes depending on the size of the structure. Among the most efficient beams, those of the HE group are certainly included. But what do they owe their high performance to? How many types exist, and how do they differ from IPE profiles? Let’s find out together!

What is meant by the term beam?

The term beam refers to a structural element with one of the predominant dimensions, made of metal or another material, designed to transfer a load, typically transverse to its geometric axis, from the sections subjected to the load to the supports. Supports that secure the beam to the surrounding context and ensure its external balance.

Other fundamental characteristics of this structural element are:

• length greater than all other dimensions;
• ability to support loads applied in the direction of its main axis for a certain length, called span, calculated between two supports.

We have seen how, based on the geometric-spatial configuration, and consequently also structural, various types of beams are distinguished, such as knee beams, cantilever beams, or thickness beams.

Another distinction is made upstream based on the dimensional characteristics and the main section of the beams themselves. This classification distinguishes beams into:

• IPE Profiles: characterized by a section shaped like an I, also known as narrow flange;
• HE Profiles: have a section shaped like an H, known as wide flange, and we will see that they are further distinguished into HEA and HEB;
• UNP Beams: characterized by a section shaped like a U;
• L, C, Z, or T Beams;
• Hollow Rectangular Beam;
• Hollow Circular Beam.

Of these types, the most widely used remain the IPE and HE profiles, whose greater use is due to their higher efficiency under bending loads. The main section of these two profiles, in fact, shows us how the material is concentrated on the flanges, or the parts furthest from the centroid of the section, increasing their bending stiffness. For this reason, these types of beams are commonly used in structural steel frames for buildings and bridges.

What is the difference between IPE, HE, and UNP beams?

As we mentioned in the previous paragraph, based on the geometric figure that best describes their section, beams are distinguished into three main categories:

• IPE Beams: in the acronym IPE, the I indicates the shape of the section while EP stands for European Profile and indicates construction elements in the form of bars or girders or beams with parallel flange inner surfaces and production tolerance dimensions. The most common version in this group of structural elements is the standard IPE profile. In these beams, the section has, as we said, the shape of the uppercase letter “I,” consisting of two “narrow” flanges, one upper and one lower, connected by a central part. Their section makes them particularly suitable for bearing bending stresses and they are widely used in the construction of floors.
• HE Beams: HE beams are also called “wide flange” and their section has the characteristic shape of an uppercase “H.” This type of beam is further divided based on the thickness of the flanges, from light to heavy. Unlike IPE beams, their particular section makes them resistant to bending moments and reduces the risk of elastic buckling, which means that HE beams are particularly used for foundations.
• UNP Beams: this type of beam is characterized by a section shaped like an uppercase “U” and is mainly used in commercial and industrial applications, as well as in machinery and construction equipment.

IPE, HE, UNP Profiles

What makes the HE beam more efficient than others?

To explain why H-section profiles are the most efficient, along with IPE ones, it is essential to provide a brief introduction to the stress that beams, in general, are called to respond to: the bending moment.

This type of stress is what the beam undergoes when a transverse load forces it to bend, hence the name bending moment. This stress clearly induces in the beam, forces that are tensile and compressive and that vary linearly along the section of the material. The formula that allows quantifying these stresses along a specific section of the beam is Navier’s formula, according to which the stress σ increases with the bending moment and moves towards the outer part of the section. This concept is crucial to explain the efficiency of the H shape of the beam.

Now let’s get to the point and understand where “the secret” of HE beams lies!

In Navier’s formula, another fundamental term is the surface moment of inertia I. This quantity is defined by a surface integral and represents the resistance of a surface to rotate around an axis of rotation. The larger the moment of inertia, the smaller the stresses generated in the section for a given bending moment. Therefore, the goal is for this quantity to be as large as possible, and how can we achieve that? To obtain a greater moment of inertia, it is sufficient to distribute the available material as far away from the center of the section as possible, which is exactly what happens in HE profiles!

In H-section beams, in fact, the available material is utilized more efficiently, preferably placing it on the flanges, which support most of the stresses since, as mentioned earlier, the stresses due to the bending moment are maximum towards the outer part of the section.

What is the difference between an HEA beam and an HEB beam?

As mentioned earlier, HE profiles are further divided based on the flange thickness, which can be light, normal, or heavy. This important characteristic is indicated in the profile’s designation by a third letter. More specifically:

• HEA is the light version
• HEB is the normal version

There is also a third version, HEM, which is the one where the flange thickness is heavy.

HEA,HEB, HEM

Taking the image above as an example, for an HEA beam with dimensions up to 300 mm, the height “h1” is less than the flange width “b”. Beyond this size, the height of the profile increases while the flange width remains constant at 300 mm.

For the HEB profile, up to the size of 300 mm, the height “h1” and the flange width “b” are equal. As with the HEA profile, beyond this size, the height of the profile increases while the flange width remains constant at 300 mm.

In the case of HEM profiles, the height “h1” is greater than the flange width “b”.

Regarding the moment of inertia, which, as we mentioned, expresses a body’s resistance to rotate around an axis of rotation, for the same magnitude, the HEA profile is the lightest. Its dimensions will be larger than those of the HEB profile and especially compared to those of the HEM profile.

All profiles in the HE group are particularly suitable for large and complex metal constructions such as: industrial warehouses, sports halls, commercial and administrative buildings, etc.

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Key points of the article

• The beam is a structural element with a predominant dimension, designed to transfer transverse loads to the supports.
• Among the main types of beams, we find IPE (narrow flanges), HE (wide flanges: HEA, HEB, HEM), UNP (U-shaped) and other specific sections (L, C, Z, T, rectangular and circular hollow).
• HE beams are distinguished by their resistance to bending moments and their greater load-bearing capacity compared to other profiles.
• HEA beams, with wide but thinner flanges, are designed to ensure lightness and optimal resistance, making them ideal for lightweight but stable constructions.
• HE beams are used for industrial warehouses, commercial buildings, sports halls, and complex metal structures.

Frequently Asked Questions about HEA Beams

Why are HE profiles considered more efficient compared to other types of beams?

HE profiles (and also IPE) are considered efficient due to their effectiveness in resisting bending moments, which occur when a transverse load causes the beam to bend. Their “H” shape (or “I” for IPE) allows for maximizing the surface moment of inertia (I) of the section. A greater moment of inertia means that, for a given bending moment, the stresses generated in the section will be lower. The H shape allows for distributing the material as far away from the center of the section as possible, concentrating it mainly in the flanges, which are the parts most stressed by bending.

What is the bending moment and how does it affect the choice of beam type?

The bending moment is the stress that a beam undergoes when subjected to a transverse load that bends it. This stress induces tensile and compressive forces that vary linearly along the section of the beam. Navier’s formula quantifies these stresses, demonstrating that they increase with the increase of the bending moment and with the distance from the center of the section. To resist high bending moments, it is preferable to use beams with a high moment of inertia, such as HE and IPE profiles, which concentrate the material in the flanges to maximize resistance to bending.

In which types of constructions are HE profiles commonly used?

HE profiles, thanks to their robustness and versatility, are widely used in large and complex metal constructions, such as industrial warehouses, sports halls, commercial and administrative buildings, and other structures that require high strength and stability.

What is meant by “moment of inertia” and why is it important in the choice of a beam?

The moment of inertia is a geometric property of the cross-section of a beam that represents its resistance to rotating around an axis. The higher the moment of inertia, the greater the beam’s resistance to bending for a given load.

It is a crucial factor in structural design because it directly influences the stresses and deformations within the beam. For this reason, it is important to choose a type of beam (e.g., HE or IPE) that maximizes the moment of inertia, in order to reduce stresses and ensure the stability of the structure.

What are the main materials used to make HEA beams?

HEA beams are usually made of structural steel, a material that ensures high mechanical strength and excellent durability properties. Some variants may be galvanized to improve corrosion resistance, especially in humid or aggressive environments.