W 8X24 vs H-200x150x7x11
W 8X24 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; H-200x150x7x11 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 378.54 cm³ against 377 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.4%. W 8X24 is the lighter of the two at 35.7 kg/m against 36.9 kg/m, a saving of 3.3% on steel weight. Both are about 200 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | W 8X24 W | H-200x150x7x11 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 35.7 kg/m | 36.9 kg/m | -3.3% |
| Depth | 201.4 mm | 198 mm | +1.7% |
| Width | 165.1 mm | 151 mm | +9.3% |
| Web thickness | 6.2 mm | 7 mm | -11.4% |
| Flange thickness | 10.2 mm | 11 mm | -7.3% |
| Area | 45.7 cm² | 47 cm² | -2.8% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 3,442 cm⁴ | 3,331 cm⁴ | +3.3% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 378.54 cm³ | 377 cm³ | +0.4% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 342.49 cm³ | 336 cm³ | +1.9% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 761.7 cm⁴ | 633 cm⁴ | +20.3% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 140.44 cm³ | 128 cm³ | +9.7% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 4.09 cm | 3.67 cm | +11.4% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 14.4 cm⁴ | 18.5 cm⁴ | -22.2% |
W 8X24 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; H-200x150x7x11 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-200x150x7x11.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, W 8X24 has the larger second moment of area: 3,442 cm⁴ against 3,331 cm⁴, a difference of 3.3%. 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 of steel, W 8X24 is the more efficient section: 10.6 against 10.2 cm³ per kg/m, 3.8% 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: W 8X24 has 140.44 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 128 cm³, 9.7% 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 3.3% weight.
In short, W 8X24 is the stronger section and W 8X24 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.