W16X40 Steel Beam — Section Properties
Dimensions
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Depth (d) | 16 | in (406.4 mm) |
| Flange Width (bf) | 7 | in (177.8 mm) |
| Flange Thickness (tf) | 0.51 | in |
| Web Thickness (tw) | 0.30 | in |
| Area (A) | 11.80 | in² (76.1 cm²) |
| Weight | 40 | lb/ft (60 kg/m) |
Elastic Section Properties
| Property | Strong Axis (X-X) | Weak Axis (Y-Y) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moment of Inertia (I) | 518 | 28.90 | in⁴ |
| Elastic Section Modulus (S) | 64.70 | 8.25 | in³ |
| Plastic Section Modulus (Z) | 73 | 12.70 | in³ |
| Radius of Gyration (r) | 6.63 | 1.57 | in |
Torsional Properties
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Torsional Constant (J) | 0.79 | in⁴ |
| Warping Constant (Cw) | 1,730 | in⁶ |
| Distance Between Flange Centroids (ho) | 15.50 | in |
| Effective Radius (rts) | 1.86 | in |
Design Resources
- Beam Capacity Calculator — Check W16X40 for your span and loads
- Column Capacity Calculator — Check W16X40 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 W16X40 beam? 40 lb/ft (60 kg/m). A 40-ft length weighs approximately 1,600 lbs.
What is the section modulus of W16X40? Sx = 64.7 in³ (strong axis) and Sy = 8.3 in³ (weak axis). The plastic section modulus Zx = 73 in³ and Zy = 12.7 in³.
What steel grade is standard for W16X40? 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 W16X40? Ix = 518 in⁴ about the strong axis and Iy = 28.9 in⁴ about the weak axis. The radius of gyration is rx = 6.63 in and ry = 1.57 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.