UC 356×406×467 vs W 14X311
UC 356×406×467 is an UC section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); W 14X311 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 10000 cm³ against 9881.4 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 1.2%. They weigh essentially the same, 467 kg/m and 462.8 kg/m. Both are about 435 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | UC 356×406×467 UC | W 14X311 W | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 467 kg/m | 462.8 kg/m | +0.9% |
| Depth | 436.6 mm | 434.3 mm | +0.5% |
| Width | 412.2 mm | 411.5 mm | +0.2% |
| Web thickness | 35.8 mm | 35.8 mm | same |
| Flange thickness | 58 mm | 57.4 mm | +1.0% |
| Area | 595 cm² | 589.7 cm² | +0.9% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 183,000 cm⁴ | 180,228 cm⁴ | +1.5% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 10,000 cm³ | 9,881.4 cm³ | +1.2% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 8,380 cm³ | 8,291.9 cm³ | +1.1% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 67,800 cm⁴ | 67,013 cm⁴ | +1.2% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 5,030 cm³ | 4,981.7 cm³ | +1.0% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 10.7 cm | 10.67 cm | +0.3% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 5,810 cm⁴ | 5,661 cm⁴ | +2.6% |
UC 356×406×467 to BS EN 10365:2017; W 14X311 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to W 14X311.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, UC 356×406×467 has the larger second moment of area: 183,000 cm⁴ against 180,228 cm⁴, a difference of 1.5%. 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 (21.4 against 21.4 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.