H-beams under European standards are categorized according to their cross-sectional shape, size and mechanical properties. Within this series, HEA and HEB are two common types, each of which has specific application scenarios. Below is a detailed description of these two models, including their differences and applicability.
HEA Series
The HEA series is a type of H-beam steel with narrow flanges that is suitable for building structures that require a high level of support. This type of steel is commonly used in high-rise buildings, bridges, tunnels, and other engineering fields.The design of the HEA section is characterized by a high section height and a relatively thin web, which makes it excel in withstanding large bending moments.
Cross-section shape: The cross-section shape of the HEA series presents a typical H-shape, but with a relatively narrow flange width.
Size range: The flanges are relatively wide but the webs are thin, and the heights usually range from 100mm to 1000mm, e.g., the cross-section dimensions of HEA100 are approximately 96 × 100 × 5.0 × 8.0mm (height × width × web thickness × flange thickness).
Meter weight (weight per meter): As the model number increases, the meter weight also increases. For example, the HEA100 has a meter weight of approximately 16.7 KG, while the HEA1000 has a significantly higher meter weight.
Strength: High strength and stiffness, but relatively low load carrying capacity compared to the HEB series.
Stability: The relatively thin flanges and webs are relatively weak in terms of stability when subjected to pressure and bending moments, although they can still meet many structural requirements within a reasonable design range.
Torsional resistance: The torsional resistance is relatively limited and is suitable for structures that do not require high torsional forces.
Applications: Due to its high section height and good bending strength, HEA sections are often used where space is critical, such as in the core structure of high-rise buildings.
Production cost: The material used is relatively small, the production process is relatively simple, and the requirements for production equipment are relatively low, so the production cost is relatively low.
Market Price: In the market, for the same length and quantity, the price is usually lower than HEB series, which has some cost advantage and is suitable for cost-sensitive projects.
HEB Series
The HEB series, on the other hand, is a wide-flange H-beam, which has a higher load-bearing capacity compared to HEA. This type of steel is particularly suitable for large building structures, bridges, towers, and other applications where large loads need to be carried.
Section Shape: Although HEB also exhibits the same H shape, it has a wider flange width than HEA, which provides better stability and load carrying capacity.
Size range: the flange is wider and the web is thicker, the height range is also from 100mm to 1000mm, like the specification of HEB100 is about 100×100×6×10mm, because of the wider flange, the cross sectional area and the meter weight of HEB will be larger than that of the corresponding HEA model under the same number.
Meter weight: For example, the meter weight of HEB100 is about 20.4KG, which is an increase compared to the 16.7KG of HEA100; this difference becomes more obvious as the model number increases.
Strength: Due to the wider flange and thicker web, it has higher tensile strength, yield point and shear strength, and is able to withstand greater bending, shear and torque.
Stability: When subjected to larger loads and external forces, it shows better stability and is less prone to deformation and instability.
Torsional performance: wider flange and thicker web make it superior in torsional performance, and it can effectively resist the torsional force that may occur during the use of the structure.
Applications: Due to its wider flanges and larger cross-section size, HEB sections are ideal for applications where extra support and stability are required, such as the infrastructure of heavy machinery or the construction of large-span bridges.
Production costs: More raw materials are required, and the production process requires more equipment and processes, such as greater pressure and more precise control during rolling, resulting in higher production costs.
Market price: Higher production costs result in a relatively high market price, but in projects with high performance requirements, the price/performance ratio is still very high.
Comprehensive comparison
When choosing between Hea / Heb, the key lies in the needs of the specific project. If the project requires materials with good bending resistance and is not significantly affected by space constraints, then HEA may be the better choice. Conversely, if the focus of the project is to provide strong bracing capacity and stability, especially under significant loads, HEB would be more appropriate.
It is also important to note that there may be slight specification differences between HEA and HEB profiles produced by different manufacturers, so it is important to double-check the relevant parameters to ensure compliance with the design requirements during the actual purchase and use process. At the same time, whichever type is chosen, it should be ensured that the selected steel complies with the provisions of the relevant European standards such as EN 10034 and has passed the corresponding quality certification. These measures help to ensure the safety and reliability of the final structure.
Post time: Feb-11-2025
