What Are HEA and HEB Sections
HEA and HEB are wide-flange H beam series defined in EN 10365 and rolled to EN 10034 tolerances. Both series have parallel flanges and a rectangular cross-section, which simplifies connection design compared with tapered flange beams. The difference is the flange and web thickness: HEA is the lighter series with thinner flanges, while HEB is heavier with thicker flanges and webs at the same nominal height, giving a higher section modulus and load capacity.
HEA400, HEA500 and HEB Key Dimensions
HEA 400 - nominal height 390 mm, flange width 300 mm, web 10 mm, flange 19 mm, mass approximately 125 kg/m.
HEA 500 - nominal height 490 mm, flange width 300 mm, web 12 mm, flange 21 mm, mass approximately 155 kg/m.
HEB 400 - nominal height 400 mm, flange width 300 mm, web 13.5 mm, flange 24 mm, mass approximately 155 kg/m.
HEB 500 - nominal height 500 mm, flange width 300 mm, web 14.5 mm, flange 28 mm, mass approximately 187 kg/m.
Full series range from HEA100 up to HEA1000 and HEB100 up to HEB1000, so any span or column load can be matched with an optimised profile.
Steel Grades and Mechanical Properties
HEA and HEB beams are normally rolled in S235JR and S355JR to EN 10025-2, with S355J2 and S355K2 available for cold climate and offshore duty:
S235JR - minimum yield strength 235 MPa and tensile strength 360-510 MPa for thickness up to 16 mm.
S355JR - minimum yield strength 355 MPa and tensile strength 470-630 MPa, the preferred grade when higher load capacity or lighter sections are required.
Impact toughness - both JR grades guarantee 27 J at +20 °C; J2 grades guarantee 27 J at -20 °C.
Typical Applications
Because the wide flange provides excellent stability in both bending and compression, HEA and HEB sections dominate modern steel construction:
Building frames - columns and primary beams in multi-storey and industrial buildings.
Bridge construction - main girders and cross beams for road and pedestrian bridges.
Portal frames - rafters and columns in warehouses, workshops and hangars.
Heavy industry - crane runway beams, equipment skids and conveyor support structures.
Advantages of Parallel Flange Sections
The parallel flange geometry delivers several engineering benefits over older tapered profiles: simpler bolted and welded connections, reduced need for filler plates, predictable section properties for calculation, and better material utilisation because the flange area is concentrated where bending stress is highest. These advantages translate into lower fabrication cost and faster erection on site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between HEA and HEB?
At the same nominal height, HEB has thicker flanges and web, higher mass per metre and higher load capacity; HEA is lighter and more economical for lower loads.
Q: What length are HEA and HEB beams supplied in?
Standard rolling lengths are 12 m, with 6 m and 13-15 m available; longer pieces can be cut from the mill or welded to length.
Q: Which grade should I choose for a warehouse frame?
S355JR is the common choice because the higher yield strength allows lighter sections and lower steel tonnage.
Q: Are HEA and HEB dimensions the same as W sections?
No, W sections follow ASTM A6 imperial dimensions; HEA and HEB follow EN 10365 metric dimensions, so conversion tables are needed.
Q: Can HEA beams be galvanized?
Yes, hot-dip galvanizing per ISO 1461 is a standard option for corrosion protection of HEA and HEB sections.
Q: Do HEA and HEB beams carry certificates?
Mill test certificates per EN 10204 type 3.1 are issued, stating grade, heat number, dimensions and mechanical test results.