PFC 230×90×32 vs MC 9X23.9
PFC 230×90×32 is an PFC section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); MC 9X23.9 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. MC 9X23.9 carries more bending: 368.71 cm³ of plastic modulus against 355 cm³, 3.7% more. PFC 230×90×32 is the lighter of the two at 32.2 kg/m against 35.6 kg/m, a saving of 9.6% on steel weight. Both are about 229 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | PFC 230×90×32 PFC | MC 9X23.9 MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 32.2 kg/m | 35.6 kg/m | -9.6% |
| Depth | 230 mm | 228.6 mm | +0.6% |
| Width | 90 mm | 87.6 mm | +2.7% |
| Web thickness | 7.5 mm | 10.2 mm | -26.5% |
| Flange thickness | 14 mm | 14 mm | same |
| Area | 41 cm² | 45.3 cm² | -9.5% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 3,520 cm⁴ | 3,534 cm⁴ | -0.4% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 355 cm³ | 368.71 cm³ | -3.7% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 306 cm³ | 309.72 cm³ | -1.2% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 334 cm⁴ | 297.2 cm⁴ | +12.4% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 98.9 cm³ | 90.293 cm³ | +9.5% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 2.86 cm | 2.57 cm | +11.3% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 19.3 cm⁴ | 24.93 cm⁴ | -22.6% |
PFC 230×90×32 to BS EN 1993-1-1:2005 / BS 4-1:2005; MC 9X23.9 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to MC 9X23.9.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, MC 9X23.9 has the larger second moment of area: 3,534 cm⁴ against 3,520 cm⁴, a difference of 0.4%. 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, PFC 230×90×32 is the more efficient section: 11.0 against 10.4 cm³ per kg/m, 6.4% 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: PFC 230×90×32 has 98.9 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 90.293 cm³, 9.5% 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. PFC sections are specified to BS EN 1993-1-1:2005 / BS 4-1:2005 and MC 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 9.6% weight.
In short, MC 9X23.9 is the stronger section and PFC 230×90×32 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.