UB 1016×305×393 vs W 40X264
UB 1016×305×393 is an UB section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); W 40X264 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 18500 cm³ against 18517.4 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.1%. They weigh essentially the same, 392.7 kg/m and 392.9 kg/m. Both are about 1016 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | UB 1016×305×393 UB | W 40X264 W | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 392.7 kg/m | 392.9 kg/m | -0.1% |
| Depth | 1015.9 mm | 1016 mm | same |
| Width | 303 mm | 302.3 mm | +0.2% |
| Web thickness | 24.4 mm | 24.4 mm | same |
| Flange thickness | 43.9 mm | 43.9 mm | same |
| Area | 500 cm² | 499.4 cm² | +0.1% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 808,000 cm⁴ | 807,489 cm⁴ | +0.1% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 18,500 cm³ | 18,517.4 cm³ | -0.1% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 15,900 cm³ | 15,911.8 cm³ | -0.1% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 20,500 cm⁴ | 20,520 cm⁴ | -0.1% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 2,170 cm³ | 2,163.1 cm³ | +0.3% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 6.4 cm | 6.4 cm | same |
| Torsion constant (It) | 2,330 cm⁴ | 2,335 cm⁴ | -0.2% |
UB 1016×305×393 to BS EN 10365:2017; W 40X264 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to W 40X264.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, UB 1016×305×393 has the larger second moment of area: 808,000 cm⁴ against 807,489 cm⁴, a difference of 0.1%. 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 (47.1 against 47.1 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. UB sections are specified to BS EN 10365:2017 and W 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.