UC 356×406×287 vs W 14X193
UC 356×406×287 is an UC section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); W 14X193 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 5810 cm³ against 5817.4 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.1%. They weigh essentially the same, 287.1 kg/m and 287.2 kg/m. Both are about 394 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | UC 356×406×287 UC | W 14X193 W | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 287.1 kg/m | 287.2 kg/m | same |
| Depth | 393.6 mm | 393.7 mm | same |
| Width | 399 mm | 398.8 mm | +0.1% |
| Web thickness | 22.6 mm | 22.6 mm | same |
| Flange thickness | 36.5 mm | 36.6 mm | -0.3% |
| Area | 366 cm² | 366.5 cm² | -0.1% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 99,900 cm⁴ | 99,896 cm⁴ | same |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 5,810 cm³ | 5,817.4 cm³ | -0.1% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 5,070 cm³ | 5,080 cm³ | -0.2% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 38,700 cm⁴ | 38,751 cm⁴ | -0.1% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 2,950 cm³ | 2,949.7 cm³ | same |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 10.3 cm | 10.29 cm | +0.1% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 1,440 cm⁴ | 1,448 cm⁴ | -0.6% |
UC 356×406×287 to BS EN 10365:2017; W 14X193 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to W 14X193.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, UC 356×406×287 has the larger second moment of area: 99,900 cm⁴ against 99,896 cm⁴, a difference of 0.0%. 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. 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.