Tee 191×229×45 vs WT 9X30
Tee 191×229×45 is an Tees (from UB) section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); WT 9X30 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 269 cm³ against 270.39 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.5%. They weigh essentially the same, 44.6 kg/m and 44.6 kg/m. Both are about 232 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | Tee 191×229×45 Tees (from UB) | WT 9X30 WT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 44.6 kg/m | 44.6 kg/m | same |
| Depth | 231.6 mm | 231.6 mm | same |
| Width | 191.9 mm | 192 mm | -0.1% |
| Web thickness | 10.5 mm | 10.5 mm | same |
| Flange thickness | 17.7 mm | 17.7 mm | same |
| Area | 56.9 cm² | 56.9 cm² | same |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 2,680 cm⁴ | 2,693 cm⁴ | -0.5% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 269 cm³ | 270.39 cm³ | -0.5% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 152 cm³ | 152.24 cm³ | -0.2% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 1,040 cm⁴ | 1,041 cm⁴ | -0.1% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 169 cm³ | 168.79 cm³ | +0.1% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 4.29 cm | 4.27 cm | +0.5% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 45.2 cm⁴ | 44.95 cm⁴ | +0.6% |
Tee 191×229×45 to BS EN 10365:2017; WT 9X30 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to WT 9X30.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, WT 9X30 has the larger second moment of area: 2,693 cm⁴ against 2,680 cm⁴, a difference of 0.5%. 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 (6.0 against 6.1 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.