Tee 191×229×49 vs WT 9X32.5
Tee 191×229×49 is an Tees (from UB) section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); WT 9X32.5 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 296 cm³ against 294.97 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.3%. They weigh essentially the same, 49.1 kg/m and 48.4 kg/m. Both are about 233 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | Tee 191×229×49 Tees (from UB) | WT 9X32.5 WT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 49.1 kg/m | 48.4 kg/m | +1.4% |
| Depth | 233.5 mm | 233.2 mm | +0.1% |
| Width | 192.8 mm | 192.8 mm | same |
| Web thickness | 11.4 mm | 11.4 mm | same |
| Flange thickness | 19.6 mm | 19 mm | +3.2% |
| Area | 62.6 cm² | 61.6 cm² | +1.6% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 2,970 cm⁴ | 2,943 cm⁴ | +0.9% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 296 cm³ | 294.97 cm³ | +0.3% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 167 cm³ | 165.51 cm³ | +0.9% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 1,170 cm⁴ | 1,140 cm⁴ | +2.6% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 189 cm³ | 183.54 cm³ | +3.0% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 4.33 cm | 4.29 cm | +0.9% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 60.5 cm⁴ | 56.61 cm⁴ | +6.9% |
Tee 191×229×49 to BS EN 10365:2017; WT 9X32.5 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to WT 9X32.5.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, Tee 191×229×49 has the larger second moment of area: 2,970 cm⁴ against 2,943 cm⁴, a difference of 0.9%. 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 (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.