W 27X146 vs H-700x300x15x28
W 27X146 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; H-700x300x15x28 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 7603.6 cm³ against 7559 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.6%. They weigh essentially the same, 217.3 kg/m and 215 kg/m. Both are about 702 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | W 27X146 W | H-700x300x15x28 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 217.3 kg/m | 215 kg/m | +1.1% |
| Depth | 696 mm | 708 mm | -1.7% |
| Width | 355.6 mm | 302 mm | +17.7% |
| Web thickness | 15.4 mm | 15 mm | +2.7% |
| Flange thickness | 24.8 mm | 28 mm | -11.4% |
| Area | 278.7 cm² | 274 cm² | +1.7% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 235,587 cm⁴ | 237,100 cm⁴ | -0.6% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 7,603.6 cm³ | 7,559 cm³ | +0.6% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 6,784.2 cm³ | 6,699 cm³ | +1.3% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 18,439 cm⁴ | 12,890 cm⁴ | +43.0% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 1,601 cm³ | 1,323 cm³ | +21.0% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 8.13 cm | 6.86 cm | +18.5% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 470.3 cm⁴ | 588 cm⁴ | -20.0% |
W 27X146 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; H-700x300x15x28 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-700x300x15x28.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, H-700x300x15x28 has the larger second moment of area: 237,100 cm⁴ against 235,587 cm⁴, a difference of 0.6%. 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 (35.0 against 35.2 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: W 27X146 has 1601 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 1323 cm³, 21.0% 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.