W12X120 Steel Beam — Section Properties
Dimensions
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Depth (d) | 13.10 | in (332.7 mm) |
| Flange Width (bf) | 12.30 | in (312.4 mm) |
| Flange Thickness (tf) | 1.11 | in |
| Web Thickness (tw) | 0.71 | in |
| Area (A) | 35.20 | in² (227.1 cm²) |
| Weight | 120 | lb/ft (179 kg/m) |
Elastic Section Properties
| Property | Strong Axis (X-X) | Weak Axis (Y-Y) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moment of Inertia (I) | 1,070 | 345 | in⁴ |
| Elastic Section Modulus (S) | 163 | 56 | in³ |
| Plastic Section Modulus (Z) | 186 | 85.40 | in³ |
| Radius of Gyration (r) | 5.51 | 3.13 | in |
Torsional Properties
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Torsional Constant (J) | 12.90 | in⁴ |
| Warping Constant (Cw) | 12,400 | in⁶ |
| Distance Between Flange Centroids (ho) | 12 | in |
| Effective Radius (rts) | 3.56 | in |
Design Resources
- Beam Capacity Calculator — Check W12X120 for your span and loads
- Column Capacity Calculator — Check W12X120 as a column
- Section Properties Database — Compare with other sections
- Steel Beam Sizes Reference — Full W-shape dimension table
- Steel Grades Reference — A992/A572 material properties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weight of a W12X120 beam? 120 lb/ft (179 kg/m). A 40-ft length weighs approximately 4,800 lbs.
What is the section modulus of W12X120? Sx = 163 in³ (strong axis) and Sy = 56 in³ (weak axis). The plastic section modulus Zx = 186 in³ and Zy = 85.4 in³.
What steel grade is standard for W12X120? Typically ASTM A992 (Fy = 50 ksi, Fu = 65 ksi) for W-shapes. Also available in A572 Grade 50 or A36. Verify with mill certificate.
What is the moment of inertia of W12X120? Ix = 1070 in⁴ about the strong axis and Iy = 345 in⁴ about the weak axis. The radius of gyration is rx = 5.51 in and ry = 3.13 in.
Related Pages
- Steel Beam Sizes Reference
- Beam Capacity Calculator
- Column Capacity Calculator
- Section Properties Database
Educational reference only. Verify all section properties against the current AISC Manual and mill certificates before design. Results are PRELIMINARY — NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION.