W 12X50 vs H-300x200x10x17
W 12X50 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; H-300x200x10x17 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. H-300x200x10x17 carries more bending: 1204 cm³ of plastic modulus against 1178.2 cm³, 2.1% more. W 12X50 is the lighter of the two at 74.4 kg/m against 77.3 kg/m, a saving of 3.8% on steel weight. Both are about 307 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | W 12X50 W | H-300x200x10x17 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 74.4 kg/m | 77.3 kg/m | -3.8% |
| Depth | 309.9 mm | 304 mm | +1.9% |
| Width | 205.2 mm | 202 mm | +1.6% |
| Web thickness | 9.4 mm | 10 mm | -6.0% |
| Flange thickness | 16.3 mm | 17 mm | -4.1% |
| Area | 94.2 cm² | 98.5 cm² | -4.4% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 16,275 cm⁴ | 16,280 cm⁴ | same |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 1,178.2 cm³ | 1,204 cm³ | -2.1% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 1,052 cm³ | 1,071 cm³ | -1.8% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 2,343 cm⁴ | 2,341 cm⁴ | +0.1% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 349.04 cm³ | 356 cm³ | -2.0% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 4.98 cm | 4.88 cm | +2.0% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 71.18 cm⁴ | 87.8 cm⁴ | -18.9% |
W 12X50 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; H-300x200x10x17 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-300x200x10x17.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, H-300x200x10x17 has the larger second moment of area: 16,280 cm⁴ against 16,275 cm⁴, a difference of 0.0%. 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 (15.8 against 15.6 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 3.8% weight.
In short, H-300x200x10x17 is the stronger section and W 12X50 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.