Tee 102×127×14 vs WT 5X9.5
Tee 102×127×14 is an Tees (from UB) section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); WT 5X9.5 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 50.4 cm³ against 50.8 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.8%. They weigh essentially the same, 14.1 kg/m and 14.1 kg/m. Both are about 130 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | Tee 102×127×14 Tees (from UB) | WT 5X9.5 WT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 14.1 kg/m | 14.1 kg/m | same |
| Depth | 130.1 mm | 130 mm | +0.1% |
| Width | 102.2 mm | 102.1 mm | +0.1% |
| Web thickness | 6.3 mm | 6.4 mm | -1.6% |
| Flange thickness | 10 mm | 10 mm | same |
| Area | 18 cm² | 18.1 cm² | -0.6% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 277 cm⁴ | 278 cm⁴ | -0.4% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 50.4 cm³ | 50.8 cm³ | -0.8% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 28.3 cm³ | 28.513 cm³ | -0.7% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 89.3 cm⁴ | 89.49 cm⁴ | -0.2% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 27.4 cm³ | 27.366 cm³ | +0.1% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 2.22 cm | 2.22 cm | same |
| Torsion constant (It) | 4.77 cm⁴ | 4.83 cm⁴ | -1.2% |
Tee 102×127×14 to BS EN 10365:2017; WT 5X9.5 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to WT 5X9.5.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, WT 5X9.5 has the larger second moment of area: 278 cm⁴ against 277 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, the two are equally efficient (3.6 against 3.6 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. Tees (from UB) sections are specified to BS EN 10365:2017 and WT 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.