W 27X114 vs H-700x300x13x20
W 27X114 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; H-700x300x13x20 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 5620.8 cm³ against 5629 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.1%. H-700x300x13x20 is the lighter of the two at 166 kg/m against 169.7 kg/m, a saving of 2.2% on steel weight. Both are about 693 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | W 27X114 W | H-700x300x13x20 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 169.7 kg/m | 166 kg/m | +2.2% |
| Depth | 693.4 mm | 692 mm | +0.2% |
| Width | 256.5 mm | 300 mm | -14.5% |
| Web thickness | 14.5 mm | 13 mm | +11.5% |
| Flange thickness | 23.6 mm | 20 mm | +18.0% |
| Area | 216.8 cm² | 211 cm² | +2.7% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 169,822 cm⁴ | 172,400 cm⁴ | -1.5% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 5,620.8 cm³ | 5,629 cm³ | -0.1% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 4,899.7 cm³ | 4,984 cm³ | -1.7% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 6,618 cm⁴ | 9,030 cm⁴ | -26.7% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 807.88 cm³ | 936 cm³ | -13.7% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 5.54 cm | 6.53 cm | -15.2% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 305.1 cm⁴ | 260 cm⁴ | +17.3% |
W 27X114 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; H-700x300x13x20 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-700x300x13x20.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, H-700x300x13x20 has the larger second moment of area: 172,400 cm⁴ against 169,822 cm⁴, a difference of 1.5%. 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, H-700x300x13x20 is the more efficient section: 33.9 against 33.1 cm³ per kg/m, 2.3% 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-700x300x13x20 has 936 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 807.88 cm³, 13.7% 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 2.2% weight.
In short, H-700x300x13x20 is the stronger section and H-700x300x13x20 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.