UC 356×368×202 vs W 14X132
UC 356×368×202 is an UC section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); W 14X132 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. UC 356×368×202 carries more bending: 3970 cm³ of plastic modulus against 3834.6 cm³, 3.5% more. W 14X132 is the lighter of the two at 196.4 kg/m against 201.9 kg/m, a saving of 2.8% on steel weight. Both are about 374 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | UC 356×368×202 UC | W 14X132 W | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 201.9 kg/m | 196.4 kg/m | +2.8% |
| Depth | 374.6 mm | 373.4 mm | +0.3% |
| Width | 374.7 mm | 373.4 mm | +0.3% |
| Web thickness | 16.5 mm | 16.4 mm | +0.6% |
| Flange thickness | 27 mm | 26.2 mm | +3.1% |
| Area | 257 cm² | 250.3 cm² | +2.7% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 66,300 cm⁴ | 63,683 cm⁴ | +4.1% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 3,970 cm³ | 3,834.6 cm³ | +3.5% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 3,540 cm³ | 3,424.9 cm³ | +3.4% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 23,700 cm⁴ | 22,809 cm⁴ | +3.9% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 1,920 cm³ | 1,851.7 cm³ | +3.7% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 9.6 cm | 9.55 cm | +0.5% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 558 cm⁴ | 512 cm⁴ | +9.0% |
UC 356×368×202 to BS EN 10365:2017; W 14X132 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to W 14X132.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, UC 356×368×202 has the larger second moment of area: 66,300 cm⁴ against 63,683 cm⁴, a difference of 4.1%. 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 (19.7 against 19.5 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. 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 2.8% weight.
In short, UC 356×368×202 is the stronger section and W 14X132 is the lighter one; where those are the same section, it is the clear choice, and where they are not, decide on whether your design is governed by capacity or by tonnage.