W 14X53 vs H-350x175x11x18
W 14X53 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; H-350x175x11x18 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 1427.3 cm³ against 1425 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.2%. They weigh essentially the same, 78.9 kg/m and 79.7 kg/m. H-350x175x11x18 is deeper, 364 mm against 353.1 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | W 14X53 W | H-350x175x11x18 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 78.9 kg/m | 79.7 kg/m | -1.0% |
| Depth | 353.1 mm | 364 mm | -3.0% |
| Width | 204.7 mm | 177 mm | +15.6% |
| Web thickness | 9.4 mm | 11 mm | -14.5% |
| Flange thickness | 16.8 mm | 18 mm | -6.7% |
| Area | 100.6 cm² | 101 cm² | -0.4% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 22,518 cm⁴ | 22,760 cm⁴ | -1.1% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 1,427.3 cm³ | 1,425 cm³ | +0.2% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 1,274.9 cm³ | 1,250 cm³ | +2.0% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 2,402 cm⁴ | 1,669 cm⁴ | +43.9% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 360.52 cm³ | 293 cm³ | +23.0% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 4.88 cm | 4.06 cm | +20.2% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 80.75 cm⁴ | 91.3 cm⁴ | -11.6% |
W 14X53 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; H-350x175x11x18 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-350x175x11x18.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, H-350x175x11x18 has the larger second moment of area: 22,760 cm⁴ against 22,518 cm⁴, a difference of 1.1%. 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 (18.1 against 17.9 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 14X53 has 360.52 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 293 cm³, 23.0% 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 a marginal amount of weight.
In short, these two are genuine equivalents. Pick whichever your supplier stocks and the rest of the frame already uses.