IPE 200 vs W 8X15
IPE 200 is an IPE section from the European (Continental) range; W 8X15 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 221 cm³ against 222.86 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.8%. They weigh essentially the same, 22.4 kg/m and 22.3 kg/m. W 8X15 is deeper, 206 mm against 200 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | IPE 200 IPE | W 8X15 W | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 22.4 kg/m | 22.3 kg/m | +0.4% |
| Depth | 200 mm | 206 mm | -2.9% |
| Width | 100 mm | 102.1 mm | -2.1% |
| Web thickness | 5.6 mm | 6.2 mm | -9.7% |
| Flange thickness | 8.5 mm | 8 mm | +6.3% |
| Area | 28.5 cm² | 28.6 cm² | -0.3% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 1,940 cm⁴ | 1,998 cm⁴ | -2.9% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 221 cm³ | 222.86 cm³ | -0.8% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 194 cm³ | 193.37 cm³ | +0.3% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 142 cm⁴ | 141.9 cm⁴ | +0.1% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 44.6 cm³ | 43.753 cm³ | +1.9% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 2.24 cm | 2.23 cm | +0.4% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 6.92 cm⁴ | 5.7 cm⁴ | +21.4% |
IPE 200 to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; W 8X15 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to W 8X15.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, W 8X15 has the larger second moment of area: 1,998 cm⁴ against 1,940 cm⁴, a difference of 2.9%. 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 (9.9 against 10.0 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. IPE sections are specified to EN 10365 · Continental Steel and W to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; 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.