W 16X45 vs H-400x200x8x13-66
W 16X45 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; H-400x200x8x13-66 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 1348.7 cm³ against 1326 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 1.7%. They weigh essentially the same, 67 kg/m and 66 kg/m. W 16X45 is deeper, 408.9 mm against 400 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | W 16X45 W | H-400x200x8x13-66 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 67 kg/m | 66 kg/m | +1.5% |
| Depth | 408.9 mm | 400 mm | +2.2% |
| Width | 178.8 mm | 200 mm | -10.6% |
| Web thickness | 8.8 mm | 8 mm | +10.0% |
| Flange thickness | 14.4 mm | 13 mm | +10.8% |
| Area | 85.8 cm² | 84.1 cm² | +2.0% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 24,391 cm⁴ | 23,710 cm⁴ | +2.9% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 1,348.7 cm³ | 1,326 cm³ | +1.7% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 1,191.3 cm³ | 1,185 cm³ | +0.5% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 1,365 cm⁴ | 1,737 cm⁴ | -21.4% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 237.61 cm³ | 268 cm³ | -11.3% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 3.99 cm | 4.54 cm | -12.1% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 46.2 cm⁴ | 42.2 cm⁴ | +9.5% |
W 16X45 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; H-400x200x8x13-66 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-400x200x8x13-66.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, W 16X45 has the larger second moment of area: 24,391 cm⁴ against 23,710 cm⁴, a difference of 2.9%. 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 (20.1 against 20.1 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-400x200x8x13-66 has 268 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 237.61 cm³, 11.3% 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.