UC 305×305×283 vs W 12X190
UC 305×305×283 is an UC section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); W 12X190 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 5110 cm³ against 5096.4 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.3%. They weigh essentially the same, 282.9 kg/m and 282.8 kg/m. Both are about 366 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | UC 305×305×283 UC | W 12X190 W | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 282.9 kg/m | 282.8 kg/m | same |
| Depth | 365.3 mm | 365.8 mm | -0.1% |
| Width | 322.2 mm | 322.6 mm | -0.1% |
| Web thickness | 26.8 mm | 26.9 mm | -0.4% |
| Flange thickness | 44.1 mm | 44.2 mm | -0.2% |
| Area | 360 cm² | 361.3 cm² | -0.4% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 78,900 cm⁴ | 78,668 cm⁴ | +0.3% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 5,110 cm³ | 5,096.4 cm³ | +0.3% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 4,320 cm³ | 4,309.8 cm³ | +0.2% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 24,600 cm⁴ | 24,516 cm⁴ | +0.3% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 2,340 cm³ | 2,343.4 cm³ | -0.1% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 8.27 cm | 8.26 cm | +0.1% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 2,030 cm⁴ | 2,031 cm⁴ | same |
UC 305×305×283 to BS EN 10365:2017; W 12X190 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to W 12X190.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, UC 305×305×283 has the larger second moment of area: 78,900 cm⁴ against 78,668 cm⁴, a difference of 0.3%. 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 (18.1 against 18.0 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.