KEVOS® MAKEOS · Strength
Section Properties: I, T, Channel and Angle
What are the area, centroid, second moments and section moduli of this I, T, channel or angle section?
Area, mass per metre, centroid, second moments of area, principal axes, section moduli and radii of gyration of built-up or rolled I, T, channel and angle sections made from rectangles.
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How this tool works
Inputs, units and where to find them
| Input | Unit | Typical source |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | choice | Section type; root radii are ignored. |
| Overall depth (vertical leg) | mm | Overall depth (for angles, the vertical leg length). |
| Overall width (flange or horizontal leg) | mm | Overall width (for angles, the horizontal leg length). |
| Flange thickness | mm | Flange thickness (for angles, the horizontal leg thickness). |
| Web thickness | mm | Web thickness (for angles, the vertical leg thickness). |
| Density | kg/m³ | Material density for mass per metre. |
Method and formulas
- The section is split into rectangles; A = Σ aᵢ, centroid = Σ aᵢ cᵢ ÷ A (from the bottom-left corner).
- I about centroidal axes by the parallel axis theorem: I = Σ (Iᵢ + aᵢ dᵢ²); Ixy = Σ aᵢ dxᵢ dyᵢ.
- Principal moments = (Ix + Iy)/2 ± √(((Ix − Iy)/2)² + Ixy²); Z = I ÷ extreme fibre distance; r = √(I/A).
- Example: a 200 × 100 I-section with 10 mm flanges and a 6 mm web has Ix = 20.983 × 10⁶ mm⁴ and Zx = 209.83 × 10³ mm³.
Limitations
- Root and toe radii of rolled sections are ignored, so tabulated values differ slightly; use the maker’s tables for rolled sections.
- Thin-walled torsion and warping properties are not given.
- Example values are illustrations. Replace them with values for your actual task.
Typical uses
- Find properties of fabricated sections
- Check a rolled section approximately
- Feed beam and column calculations
Who it is for
- Design engineers
- Structural and mechanical engineers
- Engineering students
What you get
- Area and mass per metre
- Centroid position
- Ix, Iy and principal moments
- Section moduli and radii of gyration
Interpreting the result
- For angles, bending about the principal axes governs unless the angle is restrained.
References
- Machinery’s Handbook, 29th edition (Industrial Press, 2012), printed pp. 234–246. Topic reference; no source tables or recommended settings are reproduced.
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