W 14X61 vs H-350x250x10x17
W 14X61 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; H-350x250x10x17 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 1671.5 cm³ against 1699 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 1.6%. W 14X61 is the lighter of the two at 90.8 kg/m against 94.2 kg/m, a saving of 3.6% on steel weight. W 14X61 is deeper, 353.1 mm against 346 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | W 14X61 W | H-350x250x10x17 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 90.8 kg/m | 94.2 kg/m | -3.6% |
| Depth | 353.1 mm | 346 mm | +2.1% |
| Width | 254 mm | 251 mm | +1.2% |
| Web thickness | 9.5 mm | 10 mm | -5.0% |
| Flange thickness | 16.4 mm | 17 mm | -3.5% |
| Area | 115.5 cm² | 120 cm² | -3.8% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 26,639 cm⁴ | 26,440 cm⁴ | +0.8% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 1,671.5 cm³ | 1,699 cm³ | -1.6% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 1,509.2 cm³ | 1,528 cm³ | -1.2% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 4,454 cm⁴ | 4,488 cm⁴ | -0.8% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 537.5 cm³ | 547 cm³ | -1.7% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 6.22 cm | 6.12 cm | +1.6% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 91.15 cm⁴ | 109 cm⁴ | -16.4% |
W 14X61 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; H-350x250x10x17 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-350x250x10x17.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, W 14X61 has the larger second moment of area: 26,639 cm⁴ against 26,440 cm⁴, a difference of 0.8%. 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, W 14X61 is the more efficient section: 18.4 against 18.0 cm³ per kg/m, 2.1% 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.
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 3.6% weight.
In short, H-350x250x10x17 is the stronger section and W 14X61 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.