W 10X33 vs H-250x175x8x13
W 10X33 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; H-250x175x8x13 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. H-250x175x8x13 carries more bending: 660 cm³ of plastic modulus against 635.82 cm³, 3.7% more. W 10X33 is the lighter of the two at 49.1 kg/m against 51.6 kg/m, a saving of 4.8% on steel weight. Both are about 248 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | W 10X33 W | H-250x175x8x13 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 49.1 kg/m | 51.6 kg/m | -4.8% |
| Depth | 247.1 mm | 248 mm | -0.4% |
| Width | 202.2 mm | 176 mm | +14.9% |
| Web thickness | 7.4 mm | 8 mm | -7.5% |
| Flange thickness | 11 mm | 13 mm | -15.4% |
| Area | 62.6 cm² | 65.7 cm² | -4.7% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 7,118 cm⁴ | 7,308 cm⁴ | -2.6% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 635.82 cm³ | 660 cm³ | -3.7% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 573.55 cm³ | 589 cm³ | -2.6% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 1,523 cm⁴ | 1,184 cm⁴ | +28.6% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 229.42 cm³ | 207 cm³ | +10.8% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 4.93 cm | 4.24 cm | +16.3% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 24.27 cm⁴ | 36.1 cm⁴ | -32.8% |
W 10X33 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; H-250x175x8x13 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-250x175x8x13.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, H-250x175x8x13 has the larger second moment of area: 7,308 cm⁴ against 7,118 cm⁴, a difference of 2.6%. This matters more often than the strength comparison, because on normal floor spans deflection rather than bending capacity sets the beam size - so if the two are close on modulus but apart on inertia, the stiffer one is usually the better answer even when it is not the stronger one.
Measured as bending capacity per kilogram, the two are equally efficient (12.9 against 12.8 cm³ per kg/m), so on a pure steel-tonnage basis there is nothing to choose between them. The decision comes down to availability, connection detailing and what the rest of the frame uses.
The two diverge much more about the minor axis: W 10X33 has 229.42 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 207 cm³, 10.8% more. If the member sees any minor-axis bending, or if it is unrestrained over a long length and lateral-torsional buckling governs, that gap decides the comparison even though the major-axis numbers looked equivalent.
These come from different catalogues, so treat the swap as a design change rather than a like-for-like substitution. W sections are specified to AISC Shapes Database v16.0 and MB & MC to Continental Steel; the steel grades, tolerances and available lengths differ, connection details and bolt gauges are set out differently, and the two are rarely both stocked in the same market. Check availability before changing a section on a drawing to save 4.8% weight.
In short, H-250x175x8x13 is the stronger section and W 10X33 is the lighter one; where those are the same section, it is the clear choice, and where they are not, decide on whether your design is governed by capacity or by tonnage.