W 16X67 vs H-400x300x10x16-105
W 16X67 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; H-400x300x10x16-105 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 2130.3 cm³ against 2141 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.5%. W 16X67 is the lighter of the two at 99.7 kg/m against 105 kg/m, a saving of 5.0% on steel weight. W 16X67 is deeper, 414 mm against 390 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | W 16X67 W | H-400x300x10x16-105 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 99.7 kg/m | 105 kg/m | -5.0% |
| Depth | 414 mm | 390 mm | +6.2% |
| Width | 259.1 mm | 300 mm | -13.6% |
| Web thickness | 10 mm | 10 mm | same |
| Flange thickness | 16.9 mm | 16 mm | +5.6% |
| Area | 126.5 cm² | 133 cm² | -4.9% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 39,708 cm⁴ | 37,860 cm⁴ | +4.9% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 2,130.3 cm³ | 2,141 cm³ | -0.5% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 1,917.3 cm³ | 1,942 cm³ | -1.3% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 4,953 cm⁴ | 7,204 cm⁴ | -31.2% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 581.74 cm³ | 730 cm³ | -20.3% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 6.25 cm | 7.35 cm | -15.0% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 99.48 cm⁴ | 100 cm⁴ | -0.5% |
W 16X67 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; H-400x300x10x16-105 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-400x300x10x16-105.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, W 16X67 has the larger second moment of area: 39,708 cm⁴ against 37,860 cm⁴, a difference of 4.9%. 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 of steel, W 16X67 is the more efficient section: 21.4 against 20.4 cm³ per kg/m, 4.8% 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.
The two diverge much more about the minor axis: H-400x300x10x16-105 has 730 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 581.74 cm³, 20.3% 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 5.0% weight.
In short, H-400x300x10x16-105 is the stronger section and W 16X67 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.