HEA500 HEA — European Wide Flange Beam (Light) Section Properties
HEA500 is a European HEA (Wide Flange Beam (Light)) per EN 10365 (successor to DIN 1025 / EN 10034) hot-rolled structural steel section. Standard European HEA dimensions per EN 10365. Verify against ArcelorMittal / Tata Steel section catalog.
Dimensions (Metric)
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Depth (d) | 490 | mm |
| Flange Width (bf) | 300 | mm |
| Flange Thickness (tf) | 23.0 | mm |
| Web Thickness (tw) | 12.0 | mm |
| Cross-Sectional Area (A) | 191.3 | cmÃÂò |
| Mass | 155.0 | kg/m |
Elastic Section Properties (Metric)
| Property | Strong Axis (Y-Y) | Weak Axis (Z-Z) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moment of Inertia (I) | 84,054 | 10,356 | cmâÃÂô |
| Elastic Section Modulus (S) | 3,431 | 690 | cmÃÂó |
| Plastic Section Modulus (Z) | 3,814 | 1,051 | cmÃÂó |
| Radius of Gyration (i) | 20.96 | 7.36 | cm |
Torsional Properties
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Torsional Constant (J) | 269 | cmâÃÂô |
| Distance Between Flange Centroids (ho) | 46.70 | cm |
Section Profile Summary
This is a standard hot-rolled I-section profile covered by EN 1993. The tabulated section properties are computed from the nominal dimensions per the governing material standard. With Ix = 84,054 cmâÃÂô, the strong-axis flexural stiffness is suitable for preliminary sizing of beams and beam-columns.
At 490 mm deep, this section is common for floor beams, portal frame rafters, and columns in commercial and industrial buildings.
Key Design Checks (EN 1993)
| Check | Formula | This Section |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic moment | Mp = Zx ÃÂàFy | 1,354 kNÃÂ÷m |
| Deflection | ÃÂà= 5wLâÃÂô/(384EIx) | Use Ix = 84,054 cmâÃÂô |
| Torsion | St. Venant = GJ/L | J = 269 cmâÃÂô |
| Column buckling | KL/r âÃÂàFcr | r_x = 20.96 cm |
Design Notes
- Compactness: Verify flange and web slenderness against EN 1993 Table B4.1 classification limits for the governing load case (pure compression, pure flexure, or combined).
- Combined loading: For members under simultaneous axial force and bending, use the interaction equations in EN 1993 Section H. The governing equation depends on the ratio of required to available axial strength.
- Connection limit states: Check bolt bearing, tear-out, block shear, and weld strength at all connections. The governing connection limit state often controls the member size selection.
Verification (EN 1993): All designs using this section must be verified by a licensed Professional Engineer. Before finalizing member selection, check beam-column interaction (P-M), lateral-torsional buckling, serviceability deflections, and all connection limit states. See Engineering Disclaimer.
Worked Example: Industrial floor beam — hea500
Scenario: Light industrial floor — forklift traffic and storage considerations. Simply supported I-section, 8.8 m span, 3 m tributary width. Service loads: 5.0 kPa dead + 7.5 kPa live (37.5 kN/m total).
Given:
- Span L = 8820 mm (8.8 m)
- Total service load w = 37.5 kN/m
- Live load portion w_L = 22.5 kN/m
- Section hea500: Ix = 840.5 ÃÂà10âÃÂö mmâÃÂô, Sx = 3,431,000 mmÃÂó, Zx = 3,814,000 mmÃÂó
- Steel: fy = 355 MPa, E = 210,000 MPa
- Design moment resistance: ÃÂÃÂMn = 0.9 ÃÂàZx ÃÂàfy = 1,354 kNÃÂ÷m
Step 1 — Live load deflection:
ÃÂÃÂ_LL = 5 w_L LâÃÂô / (384 E Ix)
ÃÂÃÂ_LL = 5 ÃÂà22.5 ÃÂà(8820)âÃÂô / (384 ÃÂà210000 ÃÂà840,540,000)
ÃÂÃÂ_LL = 10.0 mm
Step 2 — Deflection limit (L/250):
ÃÂÃÂ_limit = L / 250 = 8820 / 250 = 35.3 mm
Step 3 — Dead + live deflection:
ÃÂÃÂ_total = 16.7 mm
Step 4 — Design check:
âÃÂàLive load deflection is within the L/250 limit.
Verify the design moment M*_Ed (from factored loads 1.35G + 1.5Q per EN 1993) does not exceed ÃÂÃÂMn = 1,354 kNÃÂ÷m. Also confirm shear resistance and bearing details at the supports.
Related Resources
- Steel Beam Capacity Calculator
- Column Capacity Calculator
- Beam Deflection Calculator
- Section Properties Calculator
- Steel Grades Reference
- Section Comparison Tool
Design Resources
- Section Properties Lookup — Compare with similar sections
- Steel Beam Sizes Reference — Standard beam dimensions
Educational reference only. Verify all section properties against the current EN 1993 Manual and mill certificates before design. Results are PRELIMINARY — NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION.