C4X4.5 Steel C-shape — Section Properties
Dimensions
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Depth (d) | 4 | 101.6 mm |
| Flange Width (bf) | 1.52 | 3.86 cm |
| Flange Thickness (tf) | 0.296 | 7.5 mm |
| Web Thickness (tw) | 0.125 | 3.2 mm |
| Area (A) | 1.34 in² | 8.6 cm² |
| Weight | 4.5 lb/ft | 6.7 kg/m |
Elastic Section Properties
| Property | Strong Axis (X-X) | Weak Axis (Y-Y) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moment of Inertia (I) | 3.53 | 0.265 | in⁴ |
| Elastic Section Modulus (S) | 1.77 | 0.253 | in³ |
| Plastic Section Modulus (Z) | 2.05 | 0.495 | in³ |
| Radius of Gyration (r) | 1.62 | 0.445 | in |
Torsional Properties
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Torsional Constant (J) | 0.031 | in⁴ |
| Warping Constant (Cw) | 0.778 | in⁶ |
| Distance Between Flange Centroids (ho) | 3.7 | in |
| Effective Radius (rts) | 0.506 | in |
Section Profile Summary
The shear center of a channel lies outside the web (distance e₀ from the web face). Loads applied to the top flange produce torsion unless the load plane passes through the shear center. For AISC 360 flexural design, lateral-torsional buckling must be checked with the warping constant Cw.
At 4" deep — one of the smallest standard sections available. Used for light-duty lintels, bracing, handrail posts, and miscellaneous structural iron.
Key Design Checks (AISC 360)
| Check | Formula | This Section |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic moment | Mp = Zx × Fy | 102.5 kip-in |
| Deflection | Δ = 5wL⁴/(384EIx) | Use Ix = 3.53 in⁴ |
| Torsion | St. Venant = GJ/L | J = 0.031 in⁴ |
| Column buckling | KL/r → Fcr | r_x = 1.62 in |
Design Notes
- Section asymmetry: The shear center lies outside the web. Loads not applied through the shear center produce torsion. Provide intermediate torsional restraints or stiffeners when the load eccentricity is significant.
- Lateral-torsional buckling: Check Cb (moment modification factor) per AISC 360 Chapter F — channels are more sensitive to load height effects than doubly-symmetric sections.
- Web crippling at supports: For channels used as beams, bearing stiffeners may be needed at concentrated load points per AISC 360 Section J10.
Verification (AISC 360): 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: Assembly hall floor beam — c4x4_5
Scenario: Public assembly space — higher live load for movable seating/standing. Simply supported channel, 10 ft span, 8 ft tributary width. Service loads: 60 psf dead + 100 psf live (1280 plf total).
Given:
- Span L = 10 ft (120 in)
- Total service load w = 1280 plf
- Live load portion w_L = 800 plf
- Section c4x4_5: Ix = 3.53 in⁴, Sx = 1.77 in³, Zx = 2.05 in³
- Steel: ASTM A992, Fy = 50 ksi, E = 29,000 ksi
- Design moment strength: φMn = 0.9 × Zx × Fy = 8 kip-ft
Step 1 — Live load deflection check:
Δ_LL = 5 w_L L⁴ / (384 E Ix)
Δ_LL = 5 × (800/12) × (120)⁴ / (384 × 29,000,000 × 3.53)
Δ_LL = 1.76 in
Step 2 — Allowable deflection (IBC Table 1604.3, L/240):
Δ_allow = L / 240 = 120 / 240 = 0.50 in
Step 3 — Dead + live deflection:
Δ_total = 2.81 in
Step 4 — Design check:
⚠ Live load deflection exceeds L/240 — consider a deeper section, reduce tributary width, or shorten the span.
The required flexural strength at ultimate is approximately w_u L²/8. With factored loads 1.2D + 1.6L, verify φMn = 8 kip-ft is adequate per AISC 360 Chapter F. Also check shear capacity (φVn = 0.6 Fy Aw × 0.9) and bearing at 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 AISC 360 Manual and mill certificates before design. Results are PRELIMINARY — NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION.