W 6X20 vs HE 160 A
W 6X20 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; HE 160 A is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 244.17 cm³ against 245 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.3%. They weigh essentially the same, 29.8 kg/m and 30.4 kg/m. W 6X20 is deeper, 157.5 mm against 152 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | W 6X20 W | HE 160 A HE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 29.8 kg/m | 30.4 kg/m | -2.0% |
| Depth | 157.5 mm | 152 mm | +3.6% |
| Width | 152.9 mm | 160 mm | -4.4% |
| Web thickness | 6.6 mm | 6 mm | +10.0% |
| Flange thickness | 9.3 mm | 9 mm | +3.3% |
| Area | 37.9 cm² | 38.8 cm² | -2.3% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 1,723 cm⁴ | 1,670 cm⁴ | +3.2% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 244.17 cm³ | 245 cm³ | -0.3% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 219.59 cm³ | 220 cm³ | -0.2% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 553.6 cm⁴ | 616 cm⁴ | -10.1% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 110.12 cm³ | 118 cm³ | -6.7% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 3.81 cm | 3.98 cm | -4.3% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 9.99 cm⁴ | 12.1 cm⁴ | -17.4% |
W 6X20 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; HE 160 A to EN 10365 · Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to HE 160 A.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, W 6X20 has the larger second moment of area: 1,723 cm⁴ against 1,670 cm⁴, a difference of 3.2%. 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 (8.2 against 8.1 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 HE to EN 10365 · 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.