The same steel beam is drawn four different ways in the UAE. A European consultant writes IPE 300, a British trained engineer writes 305 x 127 x 42, an American specification says W12 x 40, and the mill certificate that arrives says 300 x 150 H beam. They are not the same section. This guide sets the four systems side by side so you can order the right one, and know what you are being offered when a supplier proposes a substitute.
The four systems
- European: IPE, HEA, HEB and HEM to EN 10025. The number is the depth in mm. IPE is narrow, HEA and HEB are wide flange. See European beams.
- British: universal beams and columns to BS 4-1, written depth x width x kg per metre, for example 457 x 191 x 74. See universal beams.
- American: W shapes to ASTM A6, written as nominal depth in inches and weight in pounds per foot, for example W12 x 40. See wide flange beams.
- Japanese: H beams to JIS G3192, written depth x width x web x flange, for example 300 x 150 x 6.5 x 9. See JIS H beams.
Roughly comparable sections by depth
These sit in the same depth band and weigh roughly the same. They are a starting point for conversation, not equivalents. Section properties differ, so any substitution needs the engineer's approval in writing.
| Depth band | European | British | American | Japanese |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 mm | IPE 200 (22.4 kg/m) | 203 x 133 x 30 (30) | W8 x 31 (46.1) | 200 x 100 (21.3) |
| 300 mm | IPE 300 (42.2) | 305 x 127 x 42 (41.9) | W12 x 40 (59.5) | 300 x 150 (36.7) |
| 400 mm | IPE 400 (66.3) | 406 x 178 x 60 (60.1) | W16 x 40 (59.5) | 400 x 200 (66.0) |
| 500 mm | IPE 500 (90.7) | 533 x 210 x 92 (92.1) | W21 x 62 (92.3) | 500 x 200 (89.6) |
| 600 mm | IPE 600 (122) | 610 x 229 x 113 (113) | W24 x 76 (113.1) | 600 x 200 (106) |
Weights per metre are in brackets. Full tables for every profile are on the product pages linked above, and the formulas are in our steel weight chart.
Beam or column: the shape tells you
A section that is much deeper than it is wide, such as IPE or a universal beam, is efficient at spanning. A section roughly as wide as it is deep, such as HEA, HEB, a universal column or a JIS wide flange, resists buckling better and suits columns. Using the wrong family is a common and expensive mistake: an IPE used as a long column can buckle sideways well before it reaches its bending capacity.
Reading each designation
- IPE 300: 300 mm deep. Width, web and flange are fixed by the standard, so the name is enough.
- 305 x 127 x 42: about 305 mm deep, 127 mm wide, 42 kg per metre. Within a serial size the depth grows slightly as the weight goes up.
- W12 x 40: nominally 12 inches deep, 40 pounds per foot, which is 59.5 kg per metre. Actual depth is usually a little more than nominal.
- 300 x 150 x 6.5 x 9: 300 mm deep, 150 mm wide, 6.5 mm web, 9 mm flange.
Grades across the systems
The grade matters as much as the size. S275 and S355 are the European grades, A992 and A572 Gr 50 the American ones, SS400 and SM490 the Japanese. S355, A992 and SM490 sit in the same strength band, and S235, A36 and SS400 in the lower one. Our guide to steel grades puts the numbers side by side and explains why the yield figure drops as the section gets thicker.
What to do when the drawing and the market disagree
It happens on most projects. The drawing says one system, the available stock is another. Three rules keep you out of trouble:
- Never substitute on depth alone. Check the section modulus and the moment of inertia, not the label.
- Going heavier is usually acceptable, going lighter almost never is, and either way it needs written approval.
- Watch the connections. A different flange width or thickness changes the bolt gauge, the cleat and sometimes the whole detail.
Send us the drawing reference with your enquiry and we will tell you what genuinely matches, including when the honest answer is that nothing in the market does and the detail needs changing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the equivalent of IPE 300 in a universal beam?
305 x 127 x 42 is the closest by depth and weight. The properties are not identical, so treat it as a candidate for approval, not a drop in replacement.
Is a W shape the same as an HEA?
No. W shapes sit between HEA and HEB in proportion, and the imperial depths do not line up with the metric ones.
What is the difference between an H beam and an I beam?
In UAE usage, H beam usually means a wide flange section about as wide as it is deep, and I beam a narrower, deeper section. The terms are loose, so always quote the full designation.
Which system is cheapest in the UAE?
Whichever is being imported in volume at the time. That changes, which is exactly why the equivalence question comes up so often.
Do you supply mill test certificates?
Yes, MTCs are issued with the material.
Getting a price
Send your beam list through the steel quote request form or on WhatsApp at +971 56 227 5722, with the system your drawing uses and the grade. Deliveries go to all seven emirates.
For the full range of sections we supply, with sizes, grades and standards, see all steel products we supply in the UAE.