W 36X160 vs H-900x300x16x28-240
W 36X160 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; H-900x300x16x28-240 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 10225.5 cm³ against 10290 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.6%. They weigh essentially the same, 238.1 kg/m and 240 kg/m. Both are about 907 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | W 36X160 W | H-900x300x16x28-240 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 238.1 kg/m | 240 kg/m | -0.8% |
| Depth | 914.4 mm | 900 mm | +1.6% |
| Width | 304.8 mm | 300 mm | +1.6% |
| Web thickness | 16.5 mm | 16 mm | +3.1% |
| Flange thickness | 25.9 mm | 28 mm | -7.5% |
| Area | 303.2 cm² | 306 cm² | -0.9% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 406,242 cm⁴ | 404,500 cm⁴ | +0.4% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 10,225.5 cm³ | 10,290 cm³ | -0.6% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 8,881.8 cm³ | 8,989 cm³ | -1.2% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 12,279 cm⁴ | 12,630 cm⁴ | -2.8% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 1,266.7 cm³ | 1,317 cm³ | -3.8% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 6.35 cm | 6.43 cm | -1.2% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 516.1 cm⁴ | 580 cm⁴ | -11.0% |
W 36X160 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; H-900x300x16x28-240 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-900x300x16x28-240.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, W 36X160 has the larger second moment of area: 406,242 cm⁴ against 404,500 cm⁴, a difference of 0.4%. 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 (42.9 against 42.9 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.
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.