W 10X54 vs HP 10X57
W 10X54 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; HP 10X57 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 1091.4 cm³ against 1089.7 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.2%. W 10X54 is the lighter of the two at 80.4 kg/m against 84.8 kg/m, a saving of 5.2% on steel weight. Both are about 255 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | W 10X54 W | HP 10X57 HP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 80.4 kg/m | 84.8 kg/m | -5.2% |
| Depth | 256.5 mm | 253.7 mm | +1.1% |
| Width | 254 mm | 259.1 mm | -2.0% |
| Web thickness | 9.4 mm | 14.4 mm | -34.7% |
| Flange thickness | 15.6 mm | 14.4 mm | +8.3% |
| Area | 101.9 cm² | 107.7 cm² | -5.4% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 12,612 cm⁴ | 12,237 cm⁴ | +3.1% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 1,091.4 cm³ | 1,089.7 cm³ | +0.2% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 983.22 cm³ | 963.56 cm³ | +2.0% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 4,287 cm⁴ | 4,204 cm⁴ | +2.0% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 512.92 cm³ | 496.53 cm³ | +3.3% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 6.5 cm | 6.22 cm | +4.5% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 75.75 cm⁴ | 82 cm⁴ | -7.6% |
W 10X54 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; HP 10X57 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to HP 10X57.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, W 10X54 has the larger second moment of area: 12,612 cm⁴ against 12,237 cm⁴, a difference of 3.1%. 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 10X54 is the more efficient section: 13.6 against 12.9 cm³ per kg/m, 5.6% 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.
In short, W 10X54 is the stronger section and W 10X54 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.