W 14X145 vs H-400x400x16x24
W 14X145 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; H-400x400x16x24 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 4260.6 cm³ against 4280 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.5%. H-400x400x16x24 is the lighter of the two at 200 kg/m against 215.8 kg/m, a saving of 7.9% on steel weight. H-400x400x16x24 is deeper, 406 mm against 375.9 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | W 14X145 W | H-400x400x16x24 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 215.8 kg/m | 200 kg/m | +7.9% |
| Depth | 375.9 mm | 406 mm | -7.4% |
| Width | 393.7 mm | 403 mm | -2.3% |
| Web thickness | 17.3 mm | 16 mm | +8.1% |
| Flange thickness | 27.7 mm | 24 mm | +15.4% |
| Area | 275.5 cm² | 255 cm² | +8.0% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 71,176 cm⁴ | 78,040 cm⁴ | -8.8% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 4,260.6 cm³ | 4,280 cm³ | -0.5% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 3,801.8 cm³ | 3,844 cm³ | -1.1% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 28,179 cm⁴ | 26,200 cm⁴ | +7.6% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 2,179.5 cm³ | 1,977 cm³ | +10.2% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 10.11 cm | 10.1 cm | +0.1% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 632.7 cm⁴ | 462 cm⁴ | +36.9% |
W 14X145 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; H-400x400x16x24 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-400x400x16x24.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, H-400x400x16x24 has the larger second moment of area: 78,040 cm⁴ against 71,176 cm⁴, a difference of 8.8%. 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, H-400x400x16x24 is the more efficient section: 21.4 against 19.7 cm³ per kg/m, 7.7% 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 14X145 has 2179.5 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 1977 cm³, 10.2% 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 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 7.9% weight.
In short, H-400x400x16x24 is the stronger section and H-400x400x16x24 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.