W 10X49 vs H-250x250x9x14-72.4
W 10X49 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; H-250x250x9x14-72.4 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. W 10X49 carries more bending: 989.78 cm³ of plastic modulus against 960 cm³, 3.1% more. They weigh essentially the same, 72.9 kg/m and 72.4 kg/m. Both are about 252 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | W 10X49 W | H-250x250x9x14-72.4 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 72.9 kg/m | 72.4 kg/m | +0.7% |
| Depth | 254 mm | 250 mm | +1.6% |
| Width | 254 mm | 250 mm | +1.6% |
| Web thickness | 8.6 mm | 9 mm | -4.4% |
| Flange thickness | 14.2 mm | 14 mm | +1.4% |
| Area | 92.9 cm² | 92.2 cm² | +0.8% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 11,321 cm⁴ | 10,830 cm⁴ | +4.5% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 989.78 cm³ | 960 cm³ | +3.1% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 894.73 cm³ | 867 cm³ | +3.2% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 3,888 cm⁴ | 3,649 cm⁴ | +6.5% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 463.75 cm³ | 444 cm³ | +4.4% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 6.45 cm | 6.29 cm | +2.5% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 57.86 cm⁴ | 58.7 cm⁴ | -1.4% |
W 10X49 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; H-250x250x9x14-72.4 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-250x250x9x14-72.4.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, W 10X49 has the larger second moment of area: 11,321 cm⁴ against 10,830 cm⁴, a difference of 4.5%. 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 of steel, W 10X49 is the more efficient section: 13.6 against 13.3 cm³ per kg/m, 2.4% better. Over a floor of repeated beams that difference is real tonnage, though it is often outweighed by whichever section the fabricator can actually source.
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 a marginal amount of weight.
In short, W 10X49 is the stronger section and H-250x250x9x14-72.4 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.