European HEA Section Guide — HEA 100 to 1000, Parallel Flange, EN 1993

Complete reference for European HEA wide-flange sections — the lightest of the three H-section series (HEA, HEB, HEM) defined in EN 10365:2017. Covers HEA 100 to HEA 1000, full dimensional and section property tables, steel grades S235 through S460, buckling behaviour, and guidance on selection for columns, beam-columns, and framed structures designed to EN 1993-1-1.

Quick access: Section Properties Search | Column Buckling Equations | Column Capacity Calculator | HEB Section Guide

HEA Designation and Geometry

HEA sections follow the designation convention: HEA followed by the nominal depth in millimetres.

Geometric characteristics:

• Parallel flange inner and outer faces (constant flange thickness)
• Depth-to-width ratio approximately 1.0 (near-square profile)
• Flange thickness approximately 1.5–2.5x web thickness
• Root radius 12–30 mm depending on section size
• Inner flange surface is flat and perpendicular to the web

The HEA profile is standardised in EN 10365:2017, which superseded the earlier Euronorm 53-62 and DIN 1025-3 standards. The suffix 'A' denotes the lightest of the three H-profile sub-series (A = light, B = medium, M = heavy).

HEA Section Properties Table

HEA 100 to HEA 300 (Light to Medium)

Typically specified for 3–8 storey building columns, beam-columns, and moderate-span floor beams.

HEA 320 to HEA 600 (Medium to Heavy)

For 8–20 storey building columns, transfer beams, and industrial framing with significant combined loading.

HEA 650 to HEA 1000 (Heavy Sections)

For high-rise columns, transfer structures, long-span trusses, and bridge applications.

All values from EN 10365:2017. Mass calculated at 7,850 kg/m³. Properties assume straight (un-cambered) sections. For critical design, confirm properties against the current ArcelorMittal sales programme.

Note on the 300 mm flange: HEA sections from HEA 320 to HEA 1000 all share a nominal flange width of 300 mm. Adding depth simply increases the web height while keeping the flange width constant. This uniform flange series simplifies connection detailing across column sizes in a single building frame.

HEA vs HEB vs HEM — Thickness Comparison

The three H-series sub-families differ only in flange and web thickness for a given depth. The following table compares HEA, HEB, and HEM at the 300 mm depth to illustrate the progression:

The key takeaway: HEB provides 33% more axial capacity for 32% more weight compared to HEA — roughly proportional. HEM provides 170% more capacity for 170% more weight. The choice between series depends on the magnitude of the axial load and whether the column is governed by buckling (where the increased iz of HEB and HEM provides diminishing returns).

Column Buckling — HEA Sections

Buckling behaviour by slenderness

HEA sections have an approximately square profile with iz approximately 0.38–0.45 x iy. For a typical floor-to-floor height of 3.5 m (buckling length factor K = 1.0 for pinned-pinned), the slenderness ratios are:

All standard HEA sections with typical floor heights fall into the inelastic buckling range (lambda_bar < 1.0), meaning the yield strength contributes directly to capacity gains. This makes S355 the standard choice for HEA columns in European frames.

Simplified axial capacity table

Compression resistance Nb,Rd (kN) for HEA columns in S355, buckling curve 'c', gamma_M1 = 1.00:

Axial capacity derived using EN 1993-1-1 Clause 6.3.1 with buckling curve 'c' for weak-axis buckling, which governs for all HEA sections. Values are approximate — use the actual design code for final verification.

Typical Applications

FAQ

What is the difference between HEA, HEB, and HEM sections?

HEA, HEB, and HEM share the same depth series but differ in flange and web thickness: HEA has the thinnest elements (lightest), HEB is medium, and HEM is the heaviest. For HEA 300: 88.3 kg/m; HEB 300: 117 kg/m; HEM 300: 238 kg/m. Select HEA for beam-columns with moderate axial loads, HEB for pure compression columns, and HEM for very heavy transfer columns and bridge piers.

Why do HEA sections have parallel flanges?

Parallel flanges simplify bolted connections (bolt heads and nuts bear on flat surfaces), improve weld fit-up for end plates and stiffeners, and maximise the plastic section modulus because flange thickness is constant across the width. The parallel-flange geometry also provides a cleaner visual appearance for architecturally exposed steelwork.

What grades are available for HEA sections?

Standard European grades S235, S275, and S355 to EN 10025-2, plus S420M/ML and S460M/ML to EN 10025-4. S355J0 is the default stocked grade. Weathering steel S355J2W is also available. Confirm availability of specific sizes in higher grades before finalising the specification.

How do I choose between HEA and HEB for a column?

For a given depth, HEB provides about 30% more axial capacity than HEA for about 30% more weight. Use HEA if the required capacity is achieved — it saves weight and cost. Use HEB if capacity is marginal or if weak-axis buckling resistance is critical. The higher iz of HEB is modest (e.g., HEA 300 iz = 7.49 cm vs HEB 300 iz = 7.58 cm), so the capacity gain comes primarily from the larger cross-sectional area, not from a fundamentally better buckling response.

What is the largest standard HEA section?

HEA 1000 (depth 990 mm, mass 272 kg/m). Note that the flange width remains constant at 300 mm from HEA 320 to HEA 1000, so these are increasingly deep-web sections. For applications requiring wider flanges, consider HEB or HEM series, or fabricated welded sections.

How do HEA sections compare with UKC sections?

HEA has parallel flanges; UKC has tapered flanges (inner slope ~5%). Dimensional series differ, and the two are not directly interchangeable. A UKC must not be substituted for a HEA in a European design without a full re-check to EN 1993-1-1.

Are HEA sections used as beams?

Yes. HEA sections make good beams where lateral-torsional buckling resistance is important (wide flanges provide high Iy and Cw) or where minimum depth is required. However, IPE sections are lighter and more efficient for pure bending in well-braced conditions. Use HEA as a beam when LTB governs, when depth is restricted, or when the same section is also used as a column in a frame (architectural consistency).

References

• EN 10365:2017 — Hot Rolled Steel Channel, I, and H Sections — Dimensions and Tolerances.
• EN 10025-2:2019 — Hot Rolled Products of Structural Steels: Non-Alloy Structural Steels.
• EN 10025-4:2019 — Thermomechanical Rolled Weldable Fine Grain Steels.
• EN 1993-1-1:2005 + A1:2014 — Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures — General Rules.
• ArcelorMittal Sections and Merchant Bars — Sales Programme. Free download.