UB 406×178×74 vs W 16X50
UB 406×178×74 is an UB section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); W 16X50 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 1500 cm³ against 1507.6 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.5%. They weigh essentially the same, 74.2 kg/m and 74.4 kg/m. Both are about 413 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | UB 406×178×74 UB | W 16X50 W | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 74.2 kg/m | 74.4 kg/m | -0.3% |
| Depth | 412.8 mm | 414 mm | -0.3% |
| Width | 179.5 mm | 179.6 mm | -0.1% |
| Web thickness | 9.5 mm | 9.7 mm | -2.1% |
| Flange thickness | 16 mm | 16 mm | same |
| Area | 94.5 cm² | 94.8 cm² | -0.3% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 27,300 cm⁴ | 27,430 cm⁴ | -0.5% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 1,500 cm³ | 1,507.6 cm³ | -0.5% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 1,320 cm³ | 1,327.4 cm³ | -0.6% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 1,550 cm⁴ | 1,548 cm⁴ | +0.1% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 267 cm³ | 267.11 cm³ | same |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 4.04 cm | 4.04 cm | same |
| Torsion constant (It) | 62.8 cm⁴ | 63.27 cm⁴ | -0.7% |
UB 406×178×74 to BS EN 10365:2017; W 16X50 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to W 16X50.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, W 16X50 has the larger second moment of area: 27,430 cm⁴ against 27,300 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 (20.2 against 20.3 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.