W 8X28 vs HE 220 AA
W 8X28 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; HE 220 AA is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 445.73 cm³ against 446 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.1%. HE 220 AA is the lighter of the two at 40.4 kg/m against 41.7 kg/m, a saving of 3.2% on steel weight. Both are about 205 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | W 8X28 W | HE 220 AA HE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 41.7 kg/m | 40.4 kg/m | +3.2% |
| Depth | 204.7 mm | 205 mm | -0.1% |
| Width | 166.1 mm | 220 mm | -24.5% |
| Web thickness | 7.2 mm | 6 mm | +20.0% |
| Flange thickness | 11.8 mm | 8.5 mm | +38.8% |
| Area | 53.2 cm² | 51.5 cm² | +3.3% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 4,079 cm⁴ | 4,170 cm⁴ | -2.2% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 445.73 cm³ | 446 cm³ | -0.1% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 398.21 cm³ | 407 cm³ | -2.2% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 903.2 cm⁴ | 1,510 cm⁴ | -40.2% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 165.51 cm³ | 209 cm³ | -20.8% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 4.11 cm | 5.42 cm | -24.2% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 22.35 cm⁴ | 15.5 cm⁴ | +44.2% |
W 8X28 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; HE 220 AA to EN 10365 · Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to HE 220 AA.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, HE 220 AA has the larger second moment of area: 4,170 cm⁴ against 4,079 cm⁴, a difference of 2.2%. 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 of steel, HE 220 AA is the more efficient section: 11.0 against 10.7 cm³ per kg/m, 3.2% 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: HE 220 AA has 209 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 165.51 cm³, 20.8% 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 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 3.2% weight.
In short, HE 220 AA is the stronger section and HE 220 AA 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.