Tee 312×267×75 vs WT 10.5X50.5
Tee 312×267×75 is an Tees (from UB) section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); WT 10.5X50.5 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 458 cm³ against 457.2 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.2%. They weigh essentially the same, 75.3 kg/m and 75.2 kg/m. Both are about 272 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | Tee 312×267×75 Tees (from UB) | WT 10.5X50.5 WT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 75.3 kg/m | 75.2 kg/m | +0.1% |
| Depth | 271.5 mm | 271.8 mm | -0.1% |
| Width | 312 mm | 312.4 mm | -0.1% |
| Web thickness | 12.7 mm | 12.7 mm | same |
| Flange thickness | 20.3 mm | 20.3 mm | same |
| Area | 95.9 cm² | 96.1 cm² | -0.2% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 5,620 cm⁴ | 5,619 cm⁴ | same |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 458 cm³ | 457.2 cm³ | +0.2% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 260 cm³ | 258.92 cm³ | +0.4% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 5,140 cm⁴ | 5,161 cm⁴ | -0.4% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 505 cm³ | 504.72 cm³ | +0.1% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 7.32 cm | 7.34 cm | -0.3% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 108 cm⁴ | 108.2 cm⁴ | -0.2% |
Tee 312×267×75 to BS EN 10365:2017; WT 10.5X50.5 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to WT 10.5X50.5.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, Tee 312×267×75 has the larger second moment of area: 5,620 cm⁴ against 5,619 cm⁴, a difference of 0.0%. 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 (6.1 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.