IPE beam sizes: dimensions, weight per metre and beam deflection
Pick a steel or aluminium profile (IPE, HEA, UPN, tubes, T-slot) and get its dimensions, 3D section, area, mass and moments. Then set a span and a load and read the stress and deflection of the beam.
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- 478 sizessteel, aluminium, LEAN
- A, Iy, Wel,y, iysection properties
- σ and δstress and deflection
- 68 joints6 steel, 41 T-slot, 21 LEAN
What the IPE beam sizes and properties show
This is a free online tool from EduFacturing that shows the dimensions and 3D section of a steel or aluminium profile, gives its area, mass and moments, and works out the stress and deflection of a beam made from it. The catalogue holds 478 sizes in 21 families.
There are three modes: the Configurator for one profile, the Handbook with teaching text in seven sections, and Joints with 68 structural connections, each a 3D model with a teaching card giving the principle, formula and use. The calculation runs in the browser.
Sizes, weight and moments of a profile, beam deflection
Shows 478 sizes in 21 families
Steel: IPE, IPN, HEA, HEB, HEM, UPN, C, angles, SHS, RHS, CHS, T and bars, listed under EN 10365, EN 10056 and EN 10219. Aluminium: T-slot in slot 6, 8 and 10, V-slot and a LEAN tube Ø28.3×1. Length runs from 40 to 3000 mm.
Gives the dimensions and section properties
Height h, width b, web tw and flange tf (where a section has them), area A, mass in kg/m, Iy, Wel,y and radius of gyration iy for every size, plus the mass of a segment at the chosen length.
Works out beam stress and deflection
A point load at midspan or a uniform load, a span from 0.5 to 12 m, a load from 0.1 to 100 kN, and a grade: S235, S355 or S460 for steel, 6063-T6 or 6082-T6 for aluminium. The result is σ, its share of fy and δ in mm.
Gives 68 joints as 3D models
Six steel joints under EN 1993-1-8 (base plate, splice, gusset plate, angle cleat, fillet weld, stiffened base plate), 41 for T-slot and 21 for LEAN tube. Each downloads as STL or 3MF.
When you need the weight and deflection of a profile
Before a drawing or an order, you want to know what a profile weighs, how far it sags and how it connects.
A lesson on strength of materials
Compare an IPE200 with an SHS 100x100x5: how Iy and Wel,y change σ and δ for one span and load.
A profile for a machine frame
A steel hollow section or an aluminium T-slot, compared by mass in kg/m and by deflection at one span and load.
An aluminium profile for a 3D printer or CNC frame
Slot 6 suits a light 3D printer and V-slot suits linear motion. The profile downloads as STL for the drawing.
A rough check before an engineer
σ close to fy or a large δ means the profile is not for a load-bearing part. The real check stays with the engineer.
How stress and deflection are calculated
Every change goes through four steps. Wel,y is converted from cm³ to mm³ and Iy from cm⁴ to mm⁴.
Section
Steel I, H, U and L sections come from a catalogue table. Hollow sections, bars and the T-profile are calculated from their outline with polygon formulas, and aluminium T-slot on a grid of cells of about 0.25 mm.
Moment
The bending moment is for a point load at midspan or a uniform one. F is the whole force and the beam's own weight is not added.
Stress
σ is compared with the fy of the grade. Above 66% of fy the number changes colour, and above 100% it turns red with the label EXCEEDED.
Deflection
δ follows the simple-beam formula with E = 210 GPa for steel and 70 GPa for aluminium, so for the same section and load aluminium sags 3 times more.
| Applies to | Formula | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Bending moment | M = F·L/4 or M = F·L/8 | point or uniform load |
| Stress | σ = M / Wel,y | in MPa |
| Deflection, point load | δ = F·L³ / (48·E·Iy) | at midspan |
| Deflection, uniform load | δ = 5·F·L³ / (384·E·Iy) | E = 210 GPa steel, 70 GPa aluminium |
What is different: model and numbers from one outline
Model and numbers from one outline
One outline builds the 3D model and gives the area and moments of the hollow sections, bars and T-profile, so the numbers match the shape.
Catalogue data where it exists
For 61 of the 64 T-slot sizes the area and mass are catalogue values, and the 21 LEAN joints are catalogue CAD models.
The tool is not a structural design. It applies no Eurocode partial safety factors and checks only bending stress and deflection of a simple beam with one load. Buckling, shear, torsion, fatigue and a deflection limit (for example L/250) are not calculated.
The joints are 3D models with a teaching card. The formulas on the cards are text: the resistance of a bolt, weld or plate is not checked. For T-slot profiles the app warns that the internal ribs vary by manufacturer.
IPE beam sizes, weight and deflection questions
What are the IPE beam sizes and properties?
Every size has height h, width b, web tw, flange tf, area A, mass in kg/m, Iy, Wel,y and iy. The catalogue holds 478 sizes in 21 families.
How do I see what an IPE200 weighs per metre?
The mass in kg/m is in the size table: pick the IPE family and the size IPE200. For the chosen length the tool also works out the mass of the segment.
What is the difference between IPE and HEA?
IPE is an I-profile with narrow flanges, the basic beam. HEA is a light H-profile with wide flanges, HEB is medium and HEM is heavy.
How to calculate beam deflection and stress?
Stress is σ = M / Wel,y and the deflection uses Iy. With the starting settings (IPE200, S235, 3 m span, 5 kN point load): M = 3.75 kN·m, σ ≈ 19.3 MPa (8% of fy), deflection about 0.7 mm.
Is there a 3D model of a 2020 aluminium profile?
Yes. The catalogue has a 20×20 aluminium profile with slot 6 and a V-slot 2020, and the profile downloads as STL or 3MF. For T-slot there are also 41 joints as 3D models.
Can I design a real structure with it?
No. There are no Eurocode partial safety factors, and only bending and deflection are checked. Buckling, shear and the connections stay with an engineer.
The profile sizes and weights is free. Pro opens the rest
Pro costs 15 EUR a month and opens 45 Pro tools.
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Choose a profile and check the beam
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