W 12X106 vs HE 360 B
W 12X106 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; HE 360 B is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 2687.5 cm³ against 2680 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.3%. HE 360 B is the lighter of the two at 142 kg/m against 157.7 kg/m, a saving of 11.1% on steel weight. HE 360 B is deeper, 360 mm against 327.7 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | W 12X106 W | HE 360 B HE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 157.7 kg/m | 142 kg/m | +11.1% |
| Depth | 327.7 mm | 360 mm | -9.0% |
| Width | 309.9 mm | 300 mm | +3.3% |
| Web thickness | 15.5 mm | 12.5 mm | +24.0% |
| Flange thickness | 25.1 mm | 22.5 mm | +11.6% |
| Area | 201.3 cm² | 181 cm² | +11.2% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 38,834 cm⁴ | 43,200 cm⁴ | -10.1% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 2,687.5 cm³ | 2,680 cm³ | +0.3% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 2,376.1 cm³ | 2,400 cm³ | -1.0% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 12,529 cm⁴ | 10,100 cm⁴ | +24.0% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 1,230.7 cm³ | 1,030 cm³ | +19.5% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 7.9 cm | 7.49 cm | +5.5% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 380 cm⁴ | 298 cm⁴ | +27.5% |
W 12X106 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; HE 360 B to EN 10365 · Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to HE 360 B.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, HE 360 B has the larger second moment of area: 43,200 cm⁴ against 38,834 cm⁴, a difference of 10.1%. 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, HE 360 B is the more efficient section: 18.9 against 17.0 cm³ per kg/m, 9.7% 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.
The two diverge much more about the minor axis: W 12X106 has 1230.7 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 1030 cm³, 19.5% 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 HE to EN 10365 · 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 11.1% weight.
In short, W 12X106 is the stronger section and HE 360 B 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.