Bending stress
σ = M / Sx
M is bending moment and Sx is section modulus.
Structural steel reference
American Wide Flange Steel Beams
Search W-beam dimensions and strong-axis section properties in imperial units for quick structural steel comparison, beam sizing, and design checks.
Beam lookup
Select a W-beam designation
Choose a steel shape to surface its key dimensions, weight, area, and strong-axis section properties.
Selected beam
Reference table
W-beam dimensions and properties chart
| Designation | Depth d (in) | Flange Width bf (in) | Web Thickness tw (in) | Flange Thickness tf (in) | Weight (lb/ft) | Area (in2) | Ix (in4) | Sx (in3) | rx (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W8x10 | 7.89 | 4 | 0.17 | 0.26 | 10 | 2.94 | 49 | 12.3 | 4.05 |
| W10x19 | 10.2 | 5.75 | 0.23 | 0.35 | 19 | 5.57 | 199 | 39 | 5.98 |
| W12x35 | 12.3 | 6.49 | 0.26 | 0.43 | 35 | 10.3 | 662 | 108 | 8.02 |
| W14x43 | 13.7 | 8.03 | 0.3 | 0.44 | 43 | 12.6 | 1,080 | 157 | 9.25 |
| W16x67 | 16.2 | 10.4 | 0.44 | 0.715 | 67 | 19.7 | 2,740 | 339 | 11.8 |
| W18x86 | 18.4 | 11 | 0.44 | 0.715 | 86 | 25.3 | 4,580 | 498 | 13.5 |
| W21x93 | 21.1 | 8.27 | 0.53 | 0.87 | 93 | 27.4 | 6,740 | 640 | 15.7 |
| W24x131 | 24.7 | 10.3 | 0.68 | 1.18 | 131 | 38.6 | 14,400 | 1160 | 19.3 |
| W27x178 | 27.2 | 11.5 | 0.75 | 1.32 | 178 | 52.4 | 24,500 | 1800 | 21.6 |
| W30x211 | 30.6 | 11.7 | 0.87 | 1.46 | 211 | 62.1 | 37,400 | 2450 | 24.6 |
Formulas
Common W-beam section relationships
Elastic deflection
δ depends on E Ix
Ix controls strong-axis bending stiffness.
Axial stress
σ = P / A
P is axial load and A is cross-sectional area.
Radius of gyration
rx = √(Ix / A)
Used in column slenderness and stability checks.
Definitions
What the W-beam properties mean
Designation
W indicates a wide flange shape. The first number is nominal depth in inches and the second is weight in pounds per foot.
Ix
Strong-axis moment of inertia. Higher Ix generally means greater bending stiffness and lower deflection.
Sx
Strong-axis section modulus. It is used to estimate bending stress from applied moment.
rx
Radius of gyration about the strong axis. It helps with slenderness and column stability checks.
FAQ
W-beam questions
What does a W-beam designation mean?
A designation such as W12x35 means a wide flange section with about 12 inches nominal depth and a weight of 35 lb/ft.
What is Ix used for in W-beam selection?
Ix is the strong-axis moment of inertia. It is used for stiffness and deflection calculations under bending.
Can this W-beam chart replace the AISC Steel Construction Manual?
No. Use this page for quick reference and early comparison. Final steel design should use current AISC data, governing codes, and project requirements.
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