W12X30 Steel Beam — Section Properties
Dimensions
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Depth (d) | 12.30 | in (312.4 mm) |
| Flange Width (bf) | 6.52 | in (165.6 mm) |
| Flange Thickness (tf) | 0.44 | in |
| Web Thickness (tw) | 0.26 | in |
| Area (A) | 8.79 | in² (56.7 cm²) |
| Weight | 30 | lb/ft (45 kg/m) |
Elastic Section Properties
| Property | Strong Axis (X-X) | Weak Axis (Y-Y) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moment of Inertia (I) | 238 | 20.30 | in⁴ |
| Elastic Section Modulus (S) | 38.60 | 6.24 | in³ |
| Plastic Section Modulus (Z) | 43.10 | 9.56 | in³ |
| Radius of Gyration (r) | 5.21 | 1.52 | in |
Torsional Properties
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Torsional Constant (J) | 0.46 | in⁴ |
| Warping Constant (Cw) | 720 | in⁶ |
| Distance Between Flange Centroids (ho) | 11.90 | in |
| Effective Radius (rts) | 1.77 | in |
Design Resources
- Beam Capacity Calculator — Check W12X30 for your span and loads
- Column Capacity Calculator — Check W12X30 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 W12X30 beam? 30 lb/ft (45 kg/m). A 40-ft length weighs approximately 1,200 lbs.
What is the section modulus of W12X30? Sx = 38.6 in³ (strong axis) and Sy = 6.2 in³ (weak axis). The plastic section modulus Zx = 43.1 in³ and Zy = 9.6 in³.
What steel grade is standard for W12X30? 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 W12X30? Ix = 238 in⁴ about the strong axis and Iy = 20.3 in⁴ about the weak axis. The radius of gyration is rx = 5.21 in and ry = 1.52 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.