W 36X210 vs H-900x300x19x37-307
W 36X210 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; H-900x300x19x37-307 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 13650.4 cm³ against 13540 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.8%. They weigh essentially the same, 312.5 kg/m and 307 kg/m. Both are about 925 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | W 36X210 W | H-900x300x19x37-307 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 312.5 kg/m | 307 kg/m | +1.8% |
| Depth | 932.2 mm | 918 mm | +1.5% |
| Width | 309.9 mm | 303 mm | +2.3% |
| Web thickness | 21.1 mm | 19 mm | +11.1% |
| Flange thickness | 34.5 mm | 37 mm | -6.8% |
| Area | 399.4 cm² | 391 cm² | +2.1% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 549,425 cm⁴ | 542,200 cm⁴ | +1.3% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 13,650.4 cm³ | 13,540 cm³ | +0.8% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 11,782.3 cm³ | 11,810 cm³ | -0.2% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 17,107 cm⁴ | 17,230 cm⁴ | -0.7% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 1,753.4 cm³ | 1,785 cm³ | -1.8% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 6.55 cm | 6.63 cm | -1.2% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 1,165 cm⁴ | 1,316 cm⁴ | -11.5% |
W 36X210 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; H-900x300x19x37-307 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-900x300x19x37-307.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, W 36X210 has the larger second moment of area: 549,425 cm⁴ against 542,200 cm⁴, a difference of 1.3%. 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, the two are equally efficient (43.7 against 44.1 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.