W 30X148 vs H-800x300x14x26-210
W 30X148 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; H-800x300x14x26-210 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 8193.5 cm³ against 8243 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.6%. H-800x300x14x26-210 is the lighter of the two at 210 kg/m against 220.2 kg/m, a saving of 4.9% on steel weight. H-800x300x14x26-210 is deeper, 800 mm against 779.8 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | W 30X148 W | H-800x300x14x26-210 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 220.2 kg/m | 210 kg/m | +4.9% |
| Depth | 779.8 mm | 800 mm | -2.5% |
| Width | 266.7 mm | 300 mm | -11.1% |
| Web thickness | 16.5 mm | 14 mm | +17.9% |
| Flange thickness | 30 mm | 26 mm | +15.4% |
| Area | 281.3 cm² | 267 cm² | +5.4% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 278,043 cm⁴ | 291,700 cm⁴ | -4.7% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 8,193.5 cm³ | 8,243 cm³ | -0.6% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 7,144.8 cm³ | 7,292 cm³ | -2.0% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 9,448 cm⁴ | 11,740 cm⁴ | -19.5% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 1,114.3 cm³ | 1,216 cm³ | -8.4% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 5.79 cm | 6.62 cm | -12.5% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 603.5 cm⁴ | 486 cm⁴ | +24.2% |
W 30X148 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; H-800x300x14x26-210 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-800x300x14x26-210.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, H-800x300x14x26-210 has the larger second moment of area: 291,700 cm⁴ against 278,043 cm⁴, a difference of 4.7%. 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-800x300x14x26-210 is the more efficient section: 39.3 against 37.2 cm³ per kg/m, 5.2% 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-800x300x14x26-210 has 1216 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 1114.3 cm³, 8.4% 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 4.9% weight.
In short, H-800x300x14x26-210 is the stronger section and H-800x300x14x26-210 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.