W 12X87 vs HP 12X89
W 12X87 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; HP 12X89 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. W 12X87 carries more bending: 2163.1 cm³ of plastic modulus against 2081.2 cm³, 3.9% more. W 12X87 is the lighter of the two at 129.5 kg/m against 132.4 kg/m, a saving of 2.2% on steel weight. Both are about 316 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | W 12X87 W | HP 12X89 HP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 129.5 kg/m | 132.4 kg/m | -2.2% |
| Depth | 317.5 mm | 315 mm | +0.8% |
| Width | 307.3 mm | 312.4 mm | -1.6% |
| Web thickness | 13.1 mm | 18.3 mm | -28.4% |
| Flange thickness | 20.6 mm | 18.3 mm | +12.6% |
| Area | 165.2 cm² | 167.1 cm² | -1.1% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 30,801 cm⁴ | 28,845 cm⁴ | +6.8% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 2,163.1 cm³ | 2,081.2 cm³ | +3.9% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 1,933.7 cm³ | 1,835.4 cm³ | +5.4% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 10,031 cm⁴ | 9,324 cm⁴ | +7.6% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 989.78 cm³ | 917.68 cm³ | +7.9% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 7.8 cm | 7.47 cm | +4.4% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 212.3 cm⁴ | 204.8 cm⁴ | +3.7% |
W 12X87 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; HP 12X89 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to HP 12X89.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, W 12X87 has the larger second moment of area: 30,801 cm⁴ against 28,845 cm⁴, a difference of 6.8%. 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 12X87 is the more efficient section: 16.7 against 15.7 cm³ per kg/m, 6.3% 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 12X87 is the stronger section and W 12X87 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.