W310x500 G40.21 350W — Canadian W-Shape Section Properties
Approximate equivalent of W12X336 per AISC A6. Approx. equivalent of W12X336. Verify against CISC Handbook.
Dimensions (Metric)
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Depth (d) | 426.7 | mm |
| Flange Width (bf) | 340.4 | mm |
| Flange Thickness (tf) | 75.2 | mm |
| Web Thickness (tw) | 45.2 | mm |
| Cross-Sectional Area (A) | 638.1 | cmÃÂò |
| Mass | 500.0 | kg/m |
Elastic Section Properties (Metric)
| Property | Strong Axis (X-X) | Weak Axis (Y-Y) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moment of Inertia (I) | 168,989 | 49,531 | cm⁴ |
| Elastic Section Modulus (S) | 7,915 | 2,900 | cmÃÂó |
| Plastic Section Modulus (Z) | 9,881 | 4,490 | cmÃÂó |
| Radius of Gyration (r) | 16.28 | 8.81 | cm |
Torsional Properties
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Torsional Constant (J) | 10,114 | cm⁴ |
| Warping Constant (Cw) | 15,304,500 | cm⁶ |
| Distance Between Flange Centroids (ho) | 35.05 | cm |
| Effective Radius (rts) | 10.49 | cm |
Imperial Reference
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Depth (d) | 16.80 | in |
| Flange Width (bf) | 13.40 | in |
| Area (A) | 98.90 | inÃÂò |
| Weight | 336 | lb/ft |
Section Profile Summary
A wide flange with parallel flange faces — makes bolted and welded connections straightforward to detail. At Ix = 168,989 cm⁴, the strong-axis stiffness places it in the heavy beam category for preliminary sizing.
At 426.7 mm deep, this section is common for floor beams, portal frame rafters, and columns in commercial and industrial buildings.
Key Design Checks (CSA S16)
| Check | Formula | This Section |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic moment | Mp = Zx × Fy | 3,458 kNÃÂ÷m |
| Deflection | Δ = 5wL⁴/(384EIx) | Use Ix = 168,989 cm⁴ |
| Torsion | St. Venant = GJ/L | J = 10,114 cm⁴ |
| Column buckling | KL/r → Fcr | r_x = 16.28 cm |
Design Notes
- Compactness: Most W-shapes in ASTM A992 satisfy the compact limits in CSA S16 Table B4.1b for flexure (λ ≤ λp). This allows full plastic moment Mp development before local buckling occurs.
- Flange local buckling (FLB): The flange slenderness ratio bf/2tf is compared against λpf = 0.38√(E/Fy) ≈ 9.0 for compact sections.
- Web local buckling (WLB): h/tw is checked against λpw = 3.76√(E/Fy) ≈ 72 for flexure, and a more restrictive limit for uniform compression.
- Lateral-torsional buckling (LTB): Lp ≈ 370.7 cm (plastic limit). For unbraced lengths ≤ Lp, the full plastic moment is available. Between Lp and Lr, linear interpolation per CSA S16 Eq. F2-2 applies.
Verification (CSA S16): All designs using this section must be verified by a licensed Professional Engineer. Before finalizing member selection, check beam-column interaction (P-M), lateral-torsional buckling, serviceability deflections, and all connection limit states. See Engineering Disclaimer.
Worked Example: Roof beam (flat roof) — w310x500
Scenario: Flat roof with services — allowance for mechanical units and drainage. Simply supported wide flange, 9.8 m span, 3.6 m tributary width. Service loads: 2.0 kPa dead + 1.5 kPa live (12.6 kN/m total).
Given:
- Span L = 9814 mm (9.8 m)
- Total service load w = 12.6 kN/m
- Live load portion w_L = 5.4 kN/m
- Section w310x500: Ix = 1689.9 × 10⁶ mm⁴, Sx = 7,915,000 mm³, Zx = 9,881,000 mm³
- Steel: fy = 350 MPa, E = 200,000 MPa
- Design moment resistance: φMn = 0.9 × Zx × fy = 3,113 kNÃÂ÷m
Step 1 — Live load deflection:
Δ_LL = 5 w_L L⁴ / (384 E Ix)
Δ_LL = 5 × 5.4 × (9814)⁴ / (384 × 200000 × 1,689,890,000)
Δ_LL = 1.9 mm
Step 2 — Deflection limit (L/250):
Δ_limit = L / 250 = 9814 / 250 = 39.3 mm
Step 3 — Dead + live deflection:
Δ_total = 4.5 mm
Step 4 — Design check:
✓ Live load deflection is within the L/250 limit.
Verify the design moment M*_Ed (from factored loads 1.35G + 1.5Q per CSA S16) does not exceed φMn = 3,113 kNÃÂ÷m. Also confirm shear resistance and bearing details at the supports.
Related Resources
- Steel Beam Capacity Calculator
- Column Capacity Calculator
- Beam Deflection Calculator
- Section Properties Calculator
- Steel Grades Reference
- Section Comparison Tool
Design Resources
- Section Properties Lookup — Compare with similar sections
- Steel Beam Sizes Reference — Standard beam dimensions
Educational reference only. Verify all section properties against the current CSA S16 Manual and mill certificates before design. Results are PRELIMINARY — NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION.