W18X86 Steel Beam — Section Properties
Dimensions
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Depth (d) | 18.40 | in (467.4 mm) |
| Flange Width (bf) | 11.10 | in (281.9 mm) |
| Flange Thickness (tf) | 0.77 | in |
| Web Thickness (tw) | 0.48 | in |
| Area (A) | 25.30 | in² (163.2 cm²) |
| Weight | 86 | lb/ft (128 kg/m) |
Elastic Section Properties
| Property | Strong Axis (X-X) | Weak Axis (Y-Y) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moment of Inertia (I) | 1,530 | 175 | in⁴ |
| Elastic Section Modulus (S) | 166 | 31.60 | in³ |
| Plastic Section Modulus (Z) | 186 | 48.40 | in³ |
| Radius of Gyration (r) | 7.77 | 2.63 | in |
Torsional Properties
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Torsional Constant (J) | 4.10 | in⁴ |
| Warping Constant (Cw) | 13,600 | in⁶ |
| Distance Between Flange Centroids (ho) | 17.60 | in |
| Effective Radius (rts) | 3.05 | in |
Design Resources
- Beam Capacity Calculator — Check W18X86 for your span and loads
- Column Capacity Calculator — Check W18X86 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 W18X86 beam? 86 lb/ft (128 kg/m). A 40-ft length weighs approximately 3,440 lbs.
What is the section modulus of W18X86? Sx = 166 in³ (strong axis) and Sy = 31.6 in³ (weak axis). The plastic section modulus Zx = 186 in³ and Zy = 48.4 in³.
What steel grade is standard for W18X86? 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 W18X86? Ix = 1530 in⁴ about the strong axis and Iy = 175 in⁴ about the weak axis. The radius of gyration is rx = 7.77 in and ry = 2.63 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.