UC 254×254×132 vs W 10X88
UC 254×254×132 is an UC section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); W 10X88 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 1870 cm³ against 1851.7 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 1.0%. They weigh essentially the same, 132 kg/m and 131 kg/m. Both are about 275 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | UC 254×254×132 UC | W 10X88 W | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 132 kg/m | 131 kg/m | +0.8% |
| Depth | 276.3 mm | 274.3 mm | +0.7% |
| Width | 261.3 mm | 261.6 mm | -0.1% |
| Web thickness | 15.3 mm | 15.4 mm | -0.6% |
| Flange thickness | 25.3 mm | 25.1 mm | +0.8% |
| Area | 168 cm² | 167.7 cm² | +0.2% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 22,500 cm⁴ | 22,227 cm⁴ | +1.2% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 1,870 cm³ | 1,851.7 cm³ | +1.0% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 1,630 cm³ | 1,614.1 cm³ | +1.0% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 7,530 cm⁴ | 7,451 cm⁴ | +1.1% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 878 cm³ | 870.15 cm³ | +0.9% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 6.69 cm | 6.68 cm | +0.1% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 319 cm⁴ | 313.4 cm⁴ | +1.8% |
UC 254×254×132 to BS EN 10365:2017; W 10X88 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to W 10X88.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, UC 254×254×132 has the larger second moment of area: 22,500 cm⁴ against 22,227 cm⁴, a difference of 1.2%. 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 (14.2 against 14.1 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. UC 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.