W 18X60 vs H-450x200x10x17
W 18X60 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; H-450x200x10x17 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 2015.6 cm³ against 2003 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.6%. They weigh essentially the same, 89.3 kg/m and 88.9 kg/m. Both are about 459 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | W 18X60 W | H-450x200x10x17 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 89.3 kg/m | 88.9 kg/m | +0.4% |
| Depth | 462.3 mm | 456 mm | +1.4% |
| Width | 192 mm | 201 mm | -4.5% |
| Web thickness | 10.5 mm | 10 mm | +5.0% |
| Flange thickness | 17.7 mm | 17 mm | +4.1% |
| Area | 113.5 cm² | 113 cm² | +0.4% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 40,957 cm⁴ | 40,400 cm⁴ | +1.4% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 2,015.6 cm³ | 2,003 cm³ | +0.6% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 1,769.8 cm³ | 1,772 cm³ | -0.1% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 2,085 cm⁴ | 2,308 cm⁴ | -9.7% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 337.57 cm³ | 356 cm³ | -5.2% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 4.27 cm | 4.51 cm | -5.3% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 90.32 cm⁴ | 92.5 cm⁴ | -2.4% |
W 18X60 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; H-450x200x10x17 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-450x200x10x17.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, W 18X60 has the larger second moment of area: 40,957 cm⁴ against 40,400 cm⁴, a difference of 1.4%. 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 (22.6 against 22.5 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.
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.