W 10X68 vs H-250x250x12x19
W 10X68 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; H-250x250x12x19 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. W 10X68 carries more bending: 1397.8 cm³ of plastic modulus against 1330 cm³, 5.1% more. H-250x250x12x19 is the lighter of the two at 98.1 kg/m against 101.2 kg/m, a saving of 3.2% on steel weight. Both are about 262 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | W 10X68 W | H-250x250x12x19 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 101.2 kg/m | 98.1 kg/m | +3.2% |
| Depth | 264.2 mm | 260 mm | +1.6% |
| Width | 256.5 mm | 253 mm | +1.4% |
| Web thickness | 11.9 mm | 12 mm | -0.8% |
| Flange thickness | 19.6 mm | 19 mm | +3.2% |
| Area | 128.4 cm² | 125 cm² | +2.7% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 16,400 cm⁴ | 15,340 cm⁴ | +6.9% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 1,397.8 cm³ | 1,330 cm³ | +5.1% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 1,240.5 cm³ | 1,180 cm³ | +5.1% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 5,578 cm⁴ | 5,134 cm⁴ | +8.6% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 657.12 cm³ | 618 cm³ | +6.3% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 6.58 cm | 6.41 cm | +2.7% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 148.2 cm⁴ | 141 cm⁴ | +5.1% |
W 10X68 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; H-250x250x12x19 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-250x250x12x19.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, W 10X68 has the larger second moment of area: 16,400 cm⁴ against 15,340 cm⁴, a difference of 6.9%. 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 (13.8 against 13.6 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.
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 3.2% weight.
In short, W 10X68 is the stronger section and H-250x250x12x19 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.