UB 762×267×197 vs W 30X132
UB 762×267×197 is an UB section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); W 30X132 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 7170 cm³ against 7161.1 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.1%. They weigh essentially the same, 196.8 kg/m and 196.4 kg/m. Both are about 770 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | UB 762×267×197 UB | W 30X132 W | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 196.8 kg/m | 196.4 kg/m | +0.2% |
| Depth | 769.8 mm | 769.6 mm | same |
| Width | 268 mm | 266.7 mm | +0.5% |
| Web thickness | 15.6 mm | 15.6 mm | same |
| Flange thickness | 25.4 mm | 25.4 mm | same |
| Area | 251 cm² | 250.3 cm² | +0.3% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 240,000 cm⁴ | 240,166 cm⁴ | -0.1% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 7,170 cm³ | 7,161.1 cm³ | +0.1% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 6,230 cm³ | 6,227.1 cm³ | same |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 8,170 cm⁴ | 8,158 cm⁴ | +0.1% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 958 cm³ | 957 cm³ | +0.1% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 5.71 cm | 5.72 cm | -0.2% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 404 cm⁴ | 404.6 cm⁴ | -0.1% |
UB 762×267×197 to BS EN 10365:2017; W 30X132 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to W 30X132.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, W 30X132 has the larger second moment of area: 240,166 cm⁴ against 240,000 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 (36.4 against 36.5 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.