W12X87 Steel Beam — Section Properties
Dimensions
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Depth (d) | 12.50 | in (317.5 mm) |
| Flange Width (bf) | 12.10 | in (307.3 mm) |
| Flange Thickness (tf) | 0.81 | in |
| Web Thickness (tw) | 0.52 | in |
| Area (A) | 25.60 | in² (165.2 cm²) |
| Weight | 87 | lb/ft (129 kg/m) |
Elastic Section Properties
| Property | Strong Axis (X-X) | Weak Axis (Y-Y) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moment of Inertia (I) | 740 | 241 | in⁴ |
| Elastic Section Modulus (S) | 118 | 39.70 | in³ |
| Plastic Section Modulus (Z) | 132 | 60.40 | in³ |
| Radius of Gyration (r) | 5.38 | 3.07 | in |
Torsional Properties
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Torsional Constant (J) | 5.10 | in⁴ |
| Warping Constant (Cw) | 8,270 | in⁶ |
| Distance Between Flange Centroids (ho) | 11.70 | in |
| Effective Radius (rts) | 3.46 | in |
Design Resources
- Beam Capacity Calculator — Check W12X87 for your span and loads
- Column Capacity Calculator — Check W12X87 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 W12X87 beam? 87 lb/ft (129 kg/m). A 40-ft length weighs approximately 3,480 lbs.
What is the section modulus of W12X87? Sx = 118 in³ (strong axis) and Sy = 39.7 in³ (weak axis). The plastic section modulus Zx = 132 in³ and Zy = 60.4 in³.
What steel grade is standard for W12X87? 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 W12X87? Ix = 740 in⁴ about the strong axis and Iy = 241 in⁴ about the weak axis. The radius of gyration is rx = 5.38 in and ry = 3.07 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.