W 8X13 vs IPE A 200
W 8X13 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; IPE A 200 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. W 8X13 carries more bending: 186.81 cm³ of plastic modulus against 182 cm³, 2.6% more. IPE A 200 is the lighter of the two at 18.4 kg/m against 19.3 kg/m, a saving of 4.9% on steel weight. W 8X13 is deeper, 202.9 mm against 197 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | W 8X13 W | IPE A 200 IPE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 19.3 kg/m | 18.4 kg/m | +4.9% |
| Depth | 202.9 mm | 197 mm | +3.0% |
| Width | 101.6 mm | 100 mm | +1.6% |
| Web thickness | 5.8 mm | 4.5 mm | +28.9% |
| Flange thickness | 6.5 mm | 7 mm | -7.1% |
| Area | 24.8 cm² | 23.5 cm² | +5.5% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 1,648 cm⁴ | 1,590 cm⁴ | +3.6% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 186.81 cm³ | 182 cm³ | +2.6% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 162.4 cm³ | 162 cm³ | +0.2% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 113.6 cm⁴ | 117 cm⁴ | -2.9% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 35.232 cm³ | 36.5 cm³ | -3.5% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 2.14 cm | 2.23 cm | -4.0% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 3.63 cm⁴ | 4.14 cm⁴ | -12.3% |
W 8X13 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; IPE A 200 to EN 10365 · Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to IPE A 200.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, W 8X13 has the larger second moment of area: 1,648 cm⁴ against 1,590 cm⁴, a difference of 3.6%. 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, IPE A 200 is the more efficient section: 9.9 against 9.7 cm³ per kg/m, 2.1% 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 IPE 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 4.9% weight.
In short, W 8X13 is the stronger section and IPE A 200 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.