W 8X35 vs HP 8X36
W 8X35 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; HP 8X36 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. W 8X35 carries more bending: 568.63 cm³ of plastic modulus against 550.61 cm³, 3.3% more. W 8X35 is the lighter of the two at 52.1 kg/m against 53.6 kg/m, a saving of 2.8% on steel weight. Both are about 205 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | W 8X35 W | HP 8X36 HP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 52.1 kg/m | 53.6 kg/m | -2.8% |
| Depth | 206.2 mm | 203.7 mm | +1.2% |
| Width | 203.7 mm | 207.3 mm | -1.7% |
| Web thickness | 7.9 mm | 11.3 mm | -30.1% |
| Flange thickness | 12.6 mm | 11.3 mm | +11.5% |
| Area | 66.5 cm² | 68.4 cm² | -2.8% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 5,286 cm⁴ | 4,953 cm⁴ | +6.7% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 568.63 cm³ | 550.61 cm³ | +3.3% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 511.28 cm³ | 488.33 cm³ | +4.7% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 1,773 cm⁴ | 1,677 cm⁴ | +5.7% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 263.83 cm³ | 249.08 cm³ | +5.9% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 5.16 cm | 4.95 cm | +4.2% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 32.01 cm⁴ | 32.05 cm⁴ | -0.1% |
W 8X35 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; HP 8X36 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to HP 8X36.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, W 8X35 has the larger second moment of area: 5,286 cm⁴ against 4,953 cm⁴, a difference of 6.7%. 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 8X35 is the more efficient section: 10.9 against 10.3 cm³ per kg/m, 6.2% 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.
In short, W 8X35 is the stronger section and W 8X35 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.