W 24X146 vs H-600x300x16x30
W 24X146 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; H-600x300x16x30 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. W 24X146 carries more bending: 6849.8 cm³ of plastic modulus against 6653 cm³, 3.0% more. They weigh essentially the same, 217.3 kg/m and 217 kg/m. W 24X146 is deeper, 627.4 mm against 608 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | W 24X146 W | H-600x300x16x30 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 217.3 kg/m | 217 kg/m | +0.1% |
| Depth | 627.4 mm | 608 mm | +3.2% |
| Width | 327.7 mm | 304 mm | +7.8% |
| Web thickness | 16.5 mm | 16 mm | +3.1% |
| Flange thickness | 27.7 mm | 30 mm | -7.7% |
| Area | 277.4 cm² | 277 cm² | +0.1% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 190,634 cm⁴ | 179,300 cm⁴ | +6.3% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 6,849.8 cm³ | 6,653 cm³ | +3.0% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 6,079.6 cm³ | 5,896 cm³ | +3.1% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 16,275 cm⁴ | 14,090 cm⁴ | +15.5% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 1,527.3 cm³ | 1,431 cm³ | +6.7% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 7.65 cm | 7.13 cm | +7.3% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 557.8 cm⁴ | 702 cm⁴ | -20.5% |
W 24X146 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; H-600x300x16x30 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-600x300x16x30.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, W 24X146 has the larger second moment of area: 190,634 cm⁴ against 179,300 cm⁴, a difference of 6.3%. 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 24X146 is the more efficient section: 31.5 against 30.7 cm³ per kg/m, 2.8% 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.
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, W 24X146 is the stronger section and H-600x300x16x30 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.