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IS 12778 : 2004Hot Rolled Parallel Flange Steel Sections for Beams, Columns and Bearing Piles – Dimensions and Section Properties

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EN 10365 · ISO 657-11
CurrentEssentialSpecificationBIMStructural Engineering · Structural Engineering and Structural Sections
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OverviewValues6InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 12778:2004 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for hot rolled parallel flange steel sections for beams, columns and bearing piles – dimensions and section properties. This standard specifies the dimensions, mass, and sectional properties for hot-rolled parallel flange steel beams (NPB, WPB) and bearing pile (PBP) sections. It serves as the primary reference for engineers and fabricators to select and use these modern, efficient structural members in construction.

Hot Rolled Parallel Flange Steel Sections for Beams, Columns and Bearing Piles – Dimensions and Section Properties

Quick Reference — IS 12778:2004 Parallel-Flange Sections

Hot-rolled parallel-flange beams, columns and bearing piles. Dimensions, properties, tolerances.

✓ Verified 2026-04-28
ReferenceValueClause
Section types coveredwide-flange (W), heavy beam (H), columnsCl. 3
ISWB section depths150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600 mmCl. 4 (Table 1)
ISWB 150 — mass per metre17.0 kg/mCl. 4 (Table 1)
ISWB 200 — mass per metre28.8 kg/mCl. 4 (Table 1)
ISWB 250 — mass per metre40.9 kg/mCl. 4 (Table 1)
ISWB 300 — mass per metre50.0 kg/mCl. 4 (Table 1)
ISWB 400 — mass per metre75.6 kg/mCl. 4 (Table 1)
ISWB 500 — mass per metre102.7 kg/mCl. 4 (Table 1)
ISWB 600 — mass per metre137.0 kg/mCl. 4 (Table 1)
ISHB section depths150, 200, 225, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450 mmCl. 5 (Table 2)
ISHB 200 — mass per metre37.3 kg/m (light) to 47.0 kg/m (heavy)Cl. 5 (Table 2)
ISHB 300 — mass per metre58.8 to 63.0 kg/mCl. 5 (Table 2)
ISHB 400 — mass per metre77.4 to 82.2 kg/mCl. 5 (Table 2)
ISHB 450 — mass per metre87.2 to 92.5 kg/mCl. 5 (Table 2)
Tolerance on depth± 2 mmCl. 6 (Table 4)
Tolerance on flange width± 2 mmCl. 6 (Table 4)
Tolerance on web thickness± 0.5 mmCl. 6 (Table 4)
Tolerance on mass per metre± 4 %Cl. 6 (Table 4)
Length tolerance — standard± 100 mm (for length ≤ 12 m)Cl. 6.4
Materialas per IS 2062 (Fe-410W typical)Cl. 7
⚠ Reaffirmed; covers ISWB, ISHB, IPE, HE-style sections. Distinct from IS 808 (taper-flange ISMB / ISMC). Cross-referenced with IS 800:2007 design code.

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Essential
Domain
Structural Engineering — Structural Engineering and Structural Sections
Type
Specification
Amendments
Amendment 1 (August 2006); Amendment 2 (March 2012)
International equivalents
EN 10365:2017 · CEN (European Committee for Standardization, EU)ISO 657-11:2016 · ISO (International Organization for Standardization, International)
Typically used with
IS 2062IS 808IS 800IS 1852
Also on InfraLens for IS 12778
6Key values4Tables4FAQs

BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.

Practical Notes
! Parallel flange sections (like WPB/NPB) are generally more efficient for bending and compression than tapered flange sections (like ISMB/ISHB) from IS 808.
! The parallel flanges greatly simplify bolted and welded moment connections compared to tapered flanges, which often require custom-angled washers or welds.
! Always verify the available steel grade (e.g., E250, E350, E410) as per the latest revision of IS 2062 before finalizing the design.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 3DesignationCl. 5MaterialCl. 6Dimensions and TolerancesCl. 7Sectional Properties
Pulled from IS 12778:2004. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
Updates & Amendments2 amendments
Amendment 1 (August 2006)
Amendment 2 (March 2012)
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
steelstructural steelhot rolled sections

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
EN 10365:2017CEN (European Committee for Standardization, EU)
HighCurrent
Hot rolled steel channels, I and H sections – Dimensions and masses
Specifies dimensions and masses for hot-rolled steel I and H sections (including parallel flange types) commonly used as beams and columns in Europe.
ISO 657-11:2016ISO (International Organization for Standardization, International)
HighCurrent
Hot-rolled steel sections — Part 11: Parallel flange I sections and H sections — Dimensions and tolerances on shape, dimensions and mass
Defines dimensions and tolerances for hot-rolled parallel flange I and H sections, which are equivalent to the sections covered by IS 12778.
BS 4: Part 1:1993BSI (British Standards Institution, UK)
HighWithdrawn
Structural steel sections. Specification for hot-rolled sections. Hot-rolled I and H sections. Dimensions and properties
Provided dimensions and properties for hot-rolled I and H sections (including parallel flange types) in the UK prior to the adoption of Eurocodes.
Key Differences
≠Nomenclature and Section Series: IS 12778 uses specific Indian designations like ISWB (Indian Standard Wide Flange Beam), ISHB (Indian Standard Heavy Beam/Column section), and ISP (Indian Standard Pile section). In contrast, European standards (EN/ISO) use series like IPE, HEA, HEB, HEM for beams and columns, and different designations for channels and angles, which do not directly map to the Indian series nomenclature.
≠Specific Dimensional Ratios: While sections may have the same nominal depth (e.g., 400 mm), the ratios of flange width to depth, web thickness, and flange thickness can vary significantly between IS 12778 sections and international equivalents. For instance, an ISWB 400 has a flange width of 200 mm, while an IPE 400 has 180 mm and an HEA 400 has 300 mm, indicating different design philosophies for section proportions.
≠Fillet and Toe Radii: The specific values for root and toe fillet radii, which define the transition between the web and flanges, can differ between IS 12778 and international standards for comparable sections. These differences, though seemingly small, affect the precise calculation of section properties and can influence local buckling behavior.
≠Integration of Tolerances: International standards like ISO 657-11 and EN 10365 often explicitly include detailed dimensional and mass tolerances directly within the standard, specifying permissible deviations from nominal dimensions. IS 12778 primarily provides nominal dimensions and section properties, typically referring to a separate Indian Standard (e.g., IS 1852) for manufacturing tolerances.
≠Range and Standardization of Sizes: While both cover hot-rolled parallel flange sections, the specific range of depths, weights per meter, and available section types (e.g., number of light, medium, heavy series) may not be identical. International standards might offer a broader or different set of standardized sizes to cater to varying market demands and structural practices.
Key Similarities
≈Fundamental Geometric Shapes: All standards define hot-rolled I-sections and H-sections (or wide flange/universal beam/column sections) with parallel flanges, which are the fundamental structural components for beams and columns.
≈Basis of Section Property Calculation: The methodologies used to derive essential section properties such as cross-sectional area, moment of inertia, section modulus, and radius of gyration from the geometric dimensions are universally based on standard principles of mechanics of materials and are consistent across all compared standards.
≈Manufacturing Process: All specified sections are designated as hot-rolled steel products, indicating they are produced through a similar manufacturing process that imparts specific metallurgical and mechanical characteristics.
≈Intended Structural Applications: The primary intended use for these sections—as load-bearing elements like beams, columns, and bearing piles in various civil and structural engineering applications—is consistent across all standards.
≈Metric System Foundation: IS 12778, along with the European (EN) and International (ISO) standards, is fundamentally based on the metric system (millimeters for dimensions, kilograms per meter for mass, cubic/to-the-fourth power centimeters for properties), which facilitates direct comparison and consistency in design calculations globally.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Nominal Depth (h)200 mm200 mmEN 10365:2017 (HEB 200)
Flange Width (b)200 mm200 mmEN 10365:2017 (HEB 200)
Web Thickness (tw)9.0 mm9.0 mmEN 10365:2017 (HEB 200)
Flange Thickness (tf)15.0 mm15.0 mmEN 10365:2017 (HEB 200)
Root Radius (r1/r)18 mm18 mmEN 10365:2017 (HEB 200)
Mass per meter (kg/m)61.3 kg/m61.3 kg/mEN 10365:2017 (HEB 200)
Moment of Inertia Ix-x (cm^4)6066 cm^46060 cm^4EN 10365:2017 (HEB 200)
Flange Width (b) for 400 mm Nominal Depth I-section200 mm (ISWB 400)180 mm (IPE 400)EN 10365:2017
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values6

Quick Reference Values
Mass per metre tolerance± 2.5%
Straightness tolerance (sweep)0.15% of length
Depth tolerance for h <= 450 mm± 3.0 mm
Flange width tolerance for b > 220 mm± 4.0 mm
Web thickness of WPB 600-212.0 mm
Moment of Inertia (Izz) of NPB 40023377.9 cm^4

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Dimensions and Sectional Properties of Narrow Parallel Flange Beams (NPB)
Table 2 - Dimensions and Sectional Properties of Wide Parallel Flange Beams (WPB)
Table 3 - Dimensions and Sectional Properties of Parallel Flange Bearing Piles (PBP)
Table 4 - Rolling and Cutting Tolerances
Key Clauses
Clause 3 - Designation
Clause 5 - Material
Clause 6 - Dimensions and Tolerances
Clause 7 - Sectional Properties

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 2062:2011Hot Rolled Medium and High Tensile Structural...
→
IS 808:1989Dimensions for Hot Rolled Steel Beam, Column,...
→
IS 800:2007General Construction in Steel - Code of Pract...
→
IS 1852:1985Rolling and Cutting Tolerances for Hot Rolled...
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

What is the difference between NPB and WPB sections?+
NPB (Narrow Parallel Flange Beams) have a smaller flange width to depth ratio, optimized for use as beams. WPB (Wide Parallel Flange Beams) have a larger flange width to depth ratio, making them stockier and more suitable for columns or members under combined axial load and bending.
What material grade should be used for these sections?+
The material must conform to IS 2062 'Hot Rolled Products in Structural Steels'. The specific grade (e.g., E250, E350) should be specified by the designer (Clause 5).
How are these sections designated?+
They are designated by the series abbreviation followed by the nominal depth in mm. For example, 'NPB 300' is a Narrow Parallel Flange Beam with a 300 mm depth (Clause 3).
Are these sections better than traditional ISMB sections from IS 808?+
They offer better structural efficiency (higher strength-to-weight ratio), especially the wide flange sections for columns, and allow for much simpler and more reliable connection detailing.

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