W 14X38 vs H-350x175x8x13
W 14X38 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; H-350x175x8x13 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 1007.8 cm³ against 1022 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 1.4%. W 14X38 is the lighter of the two at 56.6 kg/m against 57.8 kg/m, a saving of 2.1% on steel weight. Both are about 356 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | W 14X38 W | H-350x175x8x13 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 56.6 kg/m | 57.8 kg/m | -2.1% |
| Depth | 358.1 mm | 354 mm | +1.2% |
| Width | 172 mm | 176 mm | -2.3% |
| Web thickness | 7.9 mm | 8 mm | -1.2% |
| Flange thickness | 13.1 mm | 13 mm | +0.8% |
| Area | 72.3 cm² | 73.7 cm² | -1.9% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 16,025 cm⁴ | 16,100 cm⁴ | -0.5% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 1,007.8 cm³ | 1,022 cm³ | -1.4% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 894.73 cm³ | 909 cm³ | -1.6% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 1,111 cm⁴ | 1,184 cm⁴ | -6.2% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 198.28 cm³ | 208 cm³ | -4.7% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 3.94 cm | 4.01 cm | -1.7% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 33.22 cm⁴ | 36.1 cm⁴ | -8.0% |
W 14X38 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; H-350x175x8x13 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-350x175x8x13.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, H-350x175x8x13 has the larger second moment of area: 16,100 cm⁴ against 16,025 cm⁴, a difference of 0.5%. 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 (17.8 against 17.7 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 2.1% weight.
In short, H-350x175x8x13 is the stronger section and W 14X38 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.