W 14X74 vs H-350x350x10x16-113
W 14X74 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; H-350x350x10x16-113 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 2064.8 cm³ against 2092 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 1.3%. W 14X74 is the lighter of the two at 110.1 kg/m against 113 kg/m, a saving of 2.6% on steel weight. W 14X74 is deeper, 360.7 mm against 344 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | W 14X74 W | H-350x350x10x16-113 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 110.1 kg/m | 113 kg/m | -2.6% |
| Depth | 360.7 mm | 344 mm | +4.9% |
| Width | 256.5 mm | 348 mm | -26.3% |
| Web thickness | 11.4 mm | 10 mm | +14.0% |
| Flange thickness | 19.9 mm | 16 mm | +24.4% |
| Area | 140.6 cm² | 144 cm² | -2.4% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 33,090 cm⁴ | 32,850 cm⁴ | +0.7% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 2,064.8 cm³ | 2,092 cm³ | -1.3% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 1,835.4 cm³ | 1,910 cm³ | -3.9% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 5,578 cm⁴ | 11,240 cm⁴ | -50.4% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 663.68 cm³ | 978 cm³ | -32.1% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 6.3 cm | 8.84 cm | -28.7% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 161.1 cm⁴ | 111 cm⁴ | +45.1% |
W 14X74 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; H-350x350x10x16-113 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-350x350x10x16-113.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, W 14X74 has the larger second moment of area: 33,090 cm⁴ against 32,850 cm⁴, a difference of 0.7%. 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 (18.8 against 18.5 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: H-350x350x10x16-113 has 978 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 663.68 cm³, 32.1% 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 2.6% weight.
In short, H-350x350x10x16-113 is the stronger section and W 14X74 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.