European HEB Section Guide — HEB 100 to 1000, Heavy Columns, EN 1993
Complete reference for European HEB wide-flange sections — the standard column profile used throughout continental Europe for multi-storey building frames. Covers HEB 100 to HEB 1000, full dimensional and section property tables, steel grades S235 through S460, buckling capacity tables per EN 1993-1-1, and selection guidance for columns, transfer structures, and industrial applications.
Quick access: Section Properties Search | HEA Section Guide | Column Capacity Calculator | Base Plate Design
HEB Designation and Geometry
HEB sections follow the European H-profile designation: HEB followed by the nominal depth in millimetres.
| Element | Value | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Series prefix | HEB (H-profile European, series B = medium) | HEB |
| Nominal depth (mm) | Indicative section depth | 300 |
| Full designation | — | HEB 300 |
Geometric characteristics:
- Parallel flange inner and outer faces (constant flange thickness across width)
- Depth-to-width ratio approximately 1.0 (near-square profile, optimised for compression)
- Flange thickness approximately 1.7–2.8x web thickness
- Root radius 12–30 mm depending on section size
- Significantly heavier than HEA of equivalent depth (+30–35% mass)
HEB is standardised in EN 10365:2017 (superseding Euronorm 53-62 and DIN 1025-4). The 'B' suffix denotes the medium-thickness sub-series — the default for compression members.
HEB Section Properties Table
HEB 100 to HEB 300 (Standard Columns)
The most commonly specified HEB sections for 3–12 storey European building frames. These sizes are standard stock items at all European steel service centres.
| Section | h (mm) | b (mm) | tw (mm) | tf (mm) | r (mm) | A (cm²) | Mass (kg/m) | Iy (cm^4) | Wpl,y (cm^3) | iy (cm) | iz (cm) | Av,z (cm²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HEB 100 | 100 | 100 | 6.0 | 10.0 | 12 | 26.0 | 20.4 | 450 | 104 | 4.16 | 2.53 | 9.04 |
| HEB 120 | 120 | 120 | 6.5 | 11.0 | 12 | 34.0 | 26.7 | 864 | 165 | 5.04 | 3.06 | 11.8 |
| HEB 140 | 140 | 140 | 7.0 | 12.0 | 12 | 43.0 | 33.7 | 1,509 | 246 | 5.93 | 3.58 | 15.0 |
| HEB 160 | 160 | 160 | 8.0 | 13.0 | 15 | 54.3 | 42.6 | 2,492 | 354 | 6.78 | 4.05 | 19.6 |
| HEB 180 | 180 | 180 | 8.5 | 14.0 | 15 | 65.3 | 51.2 | 3,831 | 482 | 7.66 | 4.57 | 23.4 |
| HEB 200 | 200 | 200 | 9.0 | 15.0 | 18 | 78.1 | 61.3 | 5,696 | 646 | 8.54 | 5.07 | 28.2 |
| HEB 220 | 220 | 220 | 9.5 | 16.0 | 18 | 91.0 | 71.5 | 8,091 | 830 | 9.43 | 5.59 | 33.2 |
| HEB 240 | 240 | 240 | 10.0 | 17.0 | 21 | 106 | 83.2 | 11,260 | 1,062 | 10.3 | 6.08 | 39.2 |
| HEB 260 | 260 | 260 | 10.0 | 17.5 | 24 | 118 | 93.0 | 14,920 | 1,290 | 11.2 | 6.58 | 43.0 |
| HEB 280 | 280 | 280 | 10.5 | 18.0 | 24 | 131 | 103 | 19,270 | 1,537 | 12.1 | 7.09 | 47.8 |
| HEB 300 | 300 | 300 | 11.0 | 19.0 | 27 | 149 | 117 | 25,170 | 1,870 | 13.0 | 7.58 | 55.0 |
HEB 320 to HEB 600 (Heavy Columns)
For 12–25 storey building columns, transfer girders, and heavy industrial stanchions.
| Section | h (mm) | b (mm) | tw (mm) | tf (mm) | r (mm) | A (cm²) | Mass (kg/m) | Iy (cm^4) | Wpl,y (cm^3) | iy (cm) | iz (cm) | Av,z (cm²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HEB 320 | 320 | 300 | 11.5 | 20.5 | 27 | 161 | 127 | 30,820 | 2,156 | 13.8 | 7.58 | 58.0 |
| HEB 340 | 340 | 300 | 12.0 | 21.5 | 27 | 171 | 134 | 36,660 | 2,421 | 14.7 | 7.53 | 63.0 |
| HEB 360 | 360 | 300 | 12.5 | 22.5 | 27 | 181 | 142 | 43,280 | 2,717 | 15.5 | 7.48 | 68.0 |
| HEB 400 | 400 | 300 | 13.5 | 24.0 | 27 | 198 | 155 | 57,640 | 3,244 | 17.1 | 7.39 | 80.0 |
| HEB 450 | 450 | 300 | 14.0 | 26.0 | 27 | 218 | 171 | 79,840 | 3,989 | 19.1 | 7.25 | 94.0 |
| HEB 500 | 500 | 300 | 14.5 | 28.0 | 27 | 239 | 187 | 107,200 | 4,826 | 21.2 | 7.10 | 110 |
| HEB 550 | 550 | 300 | 15.0 | 29.0 | 27 | 254 | 199 | 136,800 | 5,614 | 23.2 | 6.98 | 123 |
| HEB 600 | 600 | 300 | 15.5 | 30.0 | 27 | 270 | 212 | 171,000 | 6,464 | 25.2 | 6.85 | 137 |
HEB 650 to HEB 1000 (Very Heavy Columns)
For high-rise transfer columns, bridge piers, and heavy industrial applications. These sections are typically mill-order items with 8–14 week lead times.
| Section | h (mm) | b (mm) | tw (mm) | tf (mm) | r (mm) | A (cm²) | Mass (kg/m) | Iy (cm^4) | Wpl,y (cm^3) | iy (cm) | iz (cm) | Av,z (cm²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HEB 650 | 650 | 300 | 16.0 | 31.0 | 27 | 286 | 225 | 210,700 | 7,385 | 27.1 | 6.73 | 154 |
| HEB 700 | 700 | 300 | 17.0 | 32.0 | 27 | 306 | 241 | 256,900 | 8,369 | 29.0 | 6.63 | 170 |
| HEB 800 | 800 | 300 | 17.5 | 33.0 | 30 | 334 | 262 | 359,100 | 10,330 | 32.8 | 6.39 | 197 |
| HEB 900 | 900 | 300 | 18.5 | 35.0 | 30 | 371 | 291 | 494,100 | 12,760 | 36.5 | 6.22 | 231 |
| HEB 1000 | 1000 | 300 | 19.0 | 36.0 | 30 | 400 | 314 | 644,700 | 15,140 | 40.2 | 6.01 | 262 |
Values from EN 10365:2017. Flange width is constant at 300 mm for HEB 320 to HEB 1000, matching the HEA series. Availability of sizes above HEB 500 should be confirmed with the steel supplier.
HEA vs HEB vs HEM — Selection Guide
| Criterion | Best choice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Lightest column for given axial load | HEA | Lowest kg/m, adequate for moderate loads |
| Best buckling resistance per kg | HEB | Optimal balance of area and iz for typical floor heights |
| Maximum capacity from restricted footprint | HEM | Thickest flanges/webs; used for transfer columns |
| Beam-column with combined bending + axial | HEA or HEB | HEA if bending dominates; HEB if axial dominates |
| Architectural preference (slim columns) | HEB or HEM | Minimised depth for given capacity |
| Standard 3–12 storey building column | HEB | The default European column section |
Buckling Capacity — Quick Reference Table
Compression resistance Nb,Rd (kN) for HEB columns in S355, buckling curve 'c' (weak axis governs), gamma_M1 = 1.00:
| Section | Lcr = 3.0 m | Lcr = 4.0 m | Lcr = 5.0 m | Lcr = 6.0 m | Lcr = 8.0 m |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HEB 200 | 1,819 | 1,650 | 1,474 | 1,294 | 964 |
| HEB 240 | 2,685 | 2,445 | 2,194 | 1,938 | 1,463 |
| HEB 260 | 3,054 | 2,783 | 2,499 | 2,211 | 1,674 |
| HEB 280 | 3,451 | 3,145 | 2,826 | 2,503 | 1,901 |
| HEB 300 | 3,970 | 3,619 | 3,253 | 2,883 | 2,195 |
| HEB 320 | 4,382 | 3,993 | 3,589 | 3,182 | 2,425 |
| HEB 360 | 5,168 | 4,709 | 4,233 | 3,751 | 2,857 |
| HEB 400 | 5,887 | 5,362 | 4,820 | 4,270 | 3,250 |
| HEB 500 | 7,467 | 6,805 | 6,109 | 5,405 | 4,107 |
| HEB 600 | 8,943 | 8,139 | 7,305 | 6,464 | 4,912 |
Values are approximate — use the actual EN 1993-1-1 calculation for final design. Buckling curve 'c' (alpha = 0.49) per EN 1993-1-1 Table 6.2 for HEB sections with h/b <= 1.2.
Typical Applications
| Application | Typical HEB range | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Residential columns (3–6 storeys) | HEB 140 – HEB 200 | Cost-effective, readily available |
| Office columns (6–15 storeys) | HEB 200 – HEB 340 | Progressive reduction by floor group |
| High-rise columns (20+ storeys) | HEB 340 – HEB 600 | May require concrete filling for highest loads |
| Transfer columns (10+ storeys above) | HEB 400 – HEB 800 | Thick flanges resist bearing, wide for base plates |
| Portal frame legs | HEB 240 – HEB 400 | Combined axial + in-plane bending |
| Crane gantry columns | HEB 300 – HEB 500 | High concentrated loads, fatigue considerations |
| Bridge piers | HEB 500 – HEB 1000 | Very high axial loads, impact and fatigue |
FAQ
What distinguishes HEB from HEA and HEM sections?
HEB sits between the lighter HEA and heavier HEM. HEA 300 = 88.3 kg/m, HEB 300 = 117 kg/m (+32%), HEM 300 = 238 kg/m (+170%). HEB is the default European column section offering the best balance of weight, cost, and capacity for typical multi-storey frames.
What is the standard HEB section for a 10-storey office building column?
A typical schedule for a 7.5 m x 7.5 m grid with composite slabs: ground–3rd: HEB 300; 4th–6th: HEB 260; 7th–9th: HEB 220; roof: HEB 180. Splices at each section change save weight while maintaining adequate capacity as the cumulative axial load decreases with height.
What buckling curve applies to HEB sections?
Curve 'b' (alpha = 0.34) for strong-axis buckling; curve 'c' (alpha = 0.49) for weak-axis buckling. Weak-axis typically governs. For HEB with tf > 100 mm (HEB 800–1000 only), curve 'd' applies.
What steel grades are typically stocked?
S235JR (secondary members), S355J0 (default structural grade — most widely stocked), S355J2 (bridges, exposed steel). S460M available on mill order. S355J2W weathering steel available from ArcelorMittal Histar.
Are HEB sections used as beams?
Yes. HEB beams excel when lateral-torsional buckling governs (wide flange provides high Iy and Cw) or when depth is restricted. A common application is HEB transfer beams at ground floor. For pure bending in well-braced conditions, IPE remains more economical per kg/m.
How are HEB sections designated on a European structural drawing?
HEB 300 – S355J2 EN 10025-2. For CE-marked steel: HEB 300 – S355J2 EN 10025-2 – EN 1090-1 EXC2. In bill of materials: HEB 300, S355J2, L=3820 mm, qty 8, blast-cleaned Sa 2.5, primer 50 um.
How do EN 10025 sub-grades affect HEB column design?
JR: internal columns in heated buildings. J0: standard for most European buildings. J2: bridges, exposed steel in cold climates, fatigue-critical. K2: offshore/nuclear. EN 1993-1-10 gives maximum thickness limits by grade and stress level.
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.
- EN 1993-1-10:2005 — Material Toughness and Through-Thickness Properties.
- ArcelorMittal Sections and Merchant Bars — Sales Programme. Free download.