W12X72 Steel Beam — Section Properties
Dimensions
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Depth (d) | 12.30 | in (312.4 mm) |
| Flange Width (bf) | 12 | in (304.8 mm) |
| Flange Thickness (tf) | 0.67 | in |
| Web Thickness (tw) | 0.43 | in |
| Area (A) | 21.10 | in² (136.1 cm²) |
| Weight | 72 | lb/ft (107 kg/m) |
Elastic Section Properties
| Property | Strong Axis (X-X) | Weak Axis (Y-Y) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moment of Inertia (I) | 597 | 195 | in⁴ |
| Elastic Section Modulus (S) | 97.40 | 32.40 | in³ |
| Plastic Section Modulus (Z) | 108 | 49.20 | in³ |
| Radius of Gyration (r) | 5.31 | 3.04 | in |
Torsional Properties
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Torsional Constant (J) | 2.93 | in⁴ |
| Warping Constant (Cw) | 6,540 | in⁶ |
| Distance Between Flange Centroids (ho) | 11.60 | in |
| Effective Radius (rts) | 3.41 | in |
Design Resources
- Beam Capacity Calculator — Check W12X72 for your span and loads
- Column Capacity Calculator — Check W12X72 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 W12X72 beam? 72 lb/ft (107 kg/m). A 40-ft length weighs approximately 2,880 lbs.
What is the section modulus of W12X72? Sx = 97.4 in³ (strong axis) and Sy = 32.4 in³ (weak axis). The plastic section modulus Zx = 108 in³ and Zy = 49.2 in³.
What steel grade is standard for W12X72? 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 W12X72? Ix = 597 in⁴ about the strong axis and Iy = 195 in⁴ about the weak axis. The radius of gyration is rx = 5.31 in and ry = 3.04 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.