W 30X132 vs H-800x300x14x22
W 30X132 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; H-800x300x14x22 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 7161.1 cm³ against 7288 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 1.7%. H-800x300x14x22 is the lighter of the two at 191 kg/m against 196.4 kg/m, a saving of 2.8% on steel weight. H-800x300x14x22 is deeper, 792 mm against 769.6 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | W 30X132 W | H-800x300x14x22 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 196.4 kg/m | 191 kg/m | +2.8% |
| Depth | 769.6 mm | 792 mm | -2.8% |
| Width | 266.7 mm | 300 mm | -11.1% |
| Web thickness | 15.6 mm | 14 mm | +11.4% |
| Flange thickness | 25.4 mm | 22 mm | +15.5% |
| Area | 250.3 cm² | 243 cm² | +3.0% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 240,166 cm⁴ | 253,600 cm⁴ | -5.3% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 7,161.1 cm³ | 7,288 cm³ | -1.7% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 6,227.1 cm³ | 6,405 cm³ | -2.8% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 8,158 cm⁴ | 9,936 cm⁴ | -17.9% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 957 cm³ | 1,036 cm³ | -7.6% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 5.72 cm | 6.39 cm | -10.5% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 404.6 cm⁴ | 341 cm⁴ | +18.7% |
W 30X132 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; H-800x300x14x22 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-800x300x14x22.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, H-800x300x14x22 has the larger second moment of area: 253,600 cm⁴ against 240,166 cm⁴, a difference of 5.3%. 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, H-800x300x14x22 is the more efficient section: 38.2 against 36.5 cm³ per kg/m, 4.4% 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 2.8% weight.
In short, H-800x300x14x22 is the stronger section and H-800x300x14x22 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.