W 14X43 vs H-350x175x9x15
W 14X43 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; H-350x175x9x15 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. H-350x175x9x15 carries more bending: 1180 cm³ of plastic modulus against 1140.5 cm³, 3.3% more. W 14X43 is the lighter of the two at 64 kg/m against 66.2 kg/m, a saving of 3.3% on steel weight. H-350x175x9x15 is deeper, 358 mm against 348 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | W 14X43 W | H-350x175x9x15 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 64 kg/m | 66.2 kg/m | -3.3% |
| Depth | 348 mm | 358 mm | -2.8% |
| Width | 203.2 mm | 177 mm | +14.8% |
| Web thickness | 7.7 mm | 9 mm | -14.4% |
| Flange thickness | 13.5 mm | 15 mm | -10.0% |
| Area | 81.3 cm² | 84.3 cm² | -3.6% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 17,815 cm⁴ | 18,710 cm⁴ | -4.8% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 1,140.5 cm³ | 1,180 cm³ | -3.3% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 1,025.8 cm³ | 1,045 cm³ | -1.8% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 1,881 cm⁴ | 1,390 cm⁴ | +35.3% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 283.5 cm³ | 243 cm³ | +16.7% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 4.8 cm | 4.06 cm | +18.2% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 43.7 cm⁴ | 53.6 cm⁴ | -18.5% |
W 14X43 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; H-350x175x9x15 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-350x175x9x15.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, H-350x175x9x15 has the larger second moment of area: 18,710 cm⁴ against 17,815 cm⁴, a difference of 4.8%. 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, the two are equally efficient (17.8 against 17.8 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.
The two diverge much more about the minor axis: W 14X43 has 283.5 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 243 cm³, 16.7% 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 3.3% weight.
In short, H-350x175x9x15 is the stronger section and W 14X43 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.