W 12X96 vs HP 14X89
W 12X96 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; HP 14X89 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 2408.9 cm³ against 2392.5 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.7%. HP 14X89 is the lighter of the two at 132.4 kg/m against 142.9 kg/m, a saving of 7.9% on steel weight. HP 14X89 is deeper, 350.5 mm against 322.6 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | W 12X96 W | HP 14X89 HP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 142.9 kg/m | 132.4 kg/m | +7.9% |
| Depth | 322.6 mm | 350.5 mm | -8.0% |
| Width | 309.9 mm | 373.4 mm | -17.0% |
| Web thickness | 14 mm | 15.6 mm | -10.3% |
| Flange thickness | 22.9 mm | 15.6 mm | +46.8% |
| Area | 181.9 cm² | 168.4 cm² | +8.0% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 34,672 cm⁴ | 37,627 cm⁴ | -7.9% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 2,408.9 cm³ | 2,392.5 cm³ | +0.7% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 2,146.7 cm³ | 2,146.7 cm³ | same |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 11,238 cm⁴ | 13,569 cm⁴ | -17.2% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 1,106.1 cm³ | 1,109.4 cm³ | -0.3% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 7.85 cm | 8.97 cm | -12.5% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 285.1 cm⁴ | 149.4 cm⁴ | +90.8% |
W 12X96 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; HP 14X89 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to HP 14X89.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, HP 14X89 has the larger second moment of area: 37,627 cm⁴ against 34,672 cm⁴, a difference of 7.9%. 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 of steel, HP 14X89 is the more efficient section: 18.1 against 16.9 cm³ per kg/m, 6.7% 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.
In short, W 12X96 is the stronger section and HP 14X89 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.