W12X50 Steel Beam — Section Properties
Dimensions
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Depth (d) | 12.20 | in (309.9 mm) |
| Flange Width (bf) | 8.08 | in (205.2 mm) |
| Flange Thickness (tf) | 0.64 | in |
| Web Thickness (tw) | 0.37 | in |
| Area (A) | 14.60 | in² (94.2 cm²) |
| Weight | 50 | lb/ft (74 kg/m) |
Elastic Section Properties
| Property | Strong Axis (X-X) | Weak Axis (Y-Y) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moment of Inertia (I) | 391 | 56.30 | in⁴ |
| Elastic Section Modulus (S) | 64.20 | 13.90 | in³ |
| Plastic Section Modulus (Z) | 71.90 | 21.30 | in³ |
| Radius of Gyration (r) | 5.18 | 1.96 | in |
Torsional Properties
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Torsional Constant (J) | 1.71 | in⁴ |
| Warping Constant (Cw) | 1,880 | in⁶ |
| Distance Between Flange Centroids (ho) | 11.60 | in |
| Effective Radius (rts) | 2.25 | in |
Design Resources
- Beam Capacity Calculator — Check W12X50 for your span and loads
- Column Capacity Calculator — Check W12X50 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 W12X50 beam? 50 lb/ft (74 kg/m). A 40-ft length weighs approximately 2,000 lbs.
What is the section modulus of W12X50? Sx = 64.2 in³ (strong axis) and Sy = 13.9 in³ (weak axis). The plastic section modulus Zx = 71.9 in³ and Zy = 21.3 in³.
What steel grade is standard for W12X50? 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 W12X50? Ix = 391 in⁴ about the strong axis and Iy = 56.3 in⁴ about the weak axis. The radius of gyration is rx = 5.18 in and ry = 1.96 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.