W 14X109 vs HP 14X117
W 14X109 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; HP 14X117 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 3146.3 cm³ against 3179.1 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 1.0%. W 14X109 is the lighter of the two at 162.2 kg/m against 174.1 kg/m, a saving of 6.8% on steel weight. Both are about 362 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | W 14X109 W | HP 14X117 HP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 162.2 kg/m | 174.1 kg/m | -6.8% |
| Depth | 363.2 mm | 360.7 mm | +0.7% |
| Width | 370.8 mm | 378.5 mm | -2.0% |
| Web thickness | 13.3 mm | 20.4 mm | -34.8% |
| Flange thickness | 21.8 mm | 20.4 mm | +6.9% |
| Area | 206.5 cm² | 221.9 cm² | -6.9% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 51,613 cm⁴ | 50,780 cm⁴ | +1.6% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 3,146.3 cm³ | 3,179.1 cm³ | -1.0% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 2,835 cm³ | 2,818.6 cm³ | +0.6% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 18,606 cm⁴ | 18,439 cm⁴ | +0.9% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 1,519.1 cm³ | 1,497.8 cm³ | +1.4% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 9.47 cm | 9.12 cm | +3.8% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 296.4 cm⁴ | 333.8 cm⁴ | -11.2% |
W 14X109 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; HP 14X117 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to HP 14X117.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, W 14X109 has the larger second moment of area: 51,613 cm⁴ against 50,780 cm⁴, a difference of 1.6%. 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 14X109 is the more efficient section: 19.4 against 18.3 cm³ per kg/m, 6.2% 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, HP 14X117 is the stronger section and W 14X109 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.