W 14X68 vs H-350x250x12x19
W 14X68 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; H-350x250x12x19 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. H-350x250x12x19 carries more bending: 1935 cm³ of plastic modulus against 1884.5 cm³, 2.6% more. W 14X68 is the lighter of the two at 101.2 kg/m against 108 kg/m, a saving of 6.3% on steel weight. Both are about 353 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | W 14X68 W | H-350x250x12x19 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 101.2 kg/m | 108 kg/m | -6.3% |
| Depth | 355.6 mm | 350 mm | +1.6% |
| Width | 254 mm | 253 mm | +0.4% |
| Web thickness | 10.5 mm | 12 mm | -12.5% |
| Flange thickness | 18.3 mm | 19 mm | -3.7% |
| Area | 129 cm² | 137 cm² | -5.8% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 30,052 cm⁴ | 30,190 cm⁴ | -0.5% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 1,884.5 cm³ | 1,935 cm³ | -2.6% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 1,687.9 cm³ | 1,725 cm³ | -2.2% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 5,036 cm⁴ | 5,138 cm⁴ | -2.0% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 604.68 cm³ | 623 cm³ | -2.9% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 6.25 cm | 6.12 cm | +2.1% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 125.3 cm⁴ | 155 cm⁴ | -19.2% |
W 14X68 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; H-350x250x12x19 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-350x250x12x19.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, H-350x250x12x19 has the larger second moment of area: 30,190 cm⁴ against 30,052 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 of steel, W 14X68 is the more efficient section: 18.6 against 17.9 cm³ per kg/m, 3.9% 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 6.3% weight.
In short, H-350x250x12x19 is the stronger section and W 14X68 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.