W21X44 Steel Beam — Section Properties
Dimensions
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Depth (d) | 20.70 | in (525.8 mm) |
| Flange Width (bf) | 6.50 | in (165.1 mm) |
| Flange Thickness (tf) | 0.45 | in |
| Web Thickness (tw) | 0.35 | in |
| Area (A) | 13 | in² (83.9 cm²) |
| Weight | 44 | lb/ft (65 kg/m) |
Elastic Section Properties
| Property | Strong Axis (X-X) | Weak Axis (Y-Y) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moment of Inertia (I) | 843 | 20.70 | in⁴ |
| Elastic Section Modulus (S) | 81.60 | 6.37 | in³ |
| Plastic Section Modulus (Z) | 95.40 | 10.20 | in³ |
| Radius of Gyration (r) | 8.06 | 1.26 | in |
Torsional Properties
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Torsional Constant (J) | 0.77 | in⁴ |
| Warping Constant (Cw) | 2,110 | in⁶ |
| Distance Between Flange Centroids (ho) | 20.30 | in |
| Effective Radius (rts) | 1.60 | in |
Design Resources
- Beam Capacity Calculator — Check W21X44 for your span and loads
- Column Capacity Calculator — Check W21X44 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 W21X44 beam? 44 lb/ft (65 kg/m). A 40-ft length weighs approximately 1,760 lbs.
What is the section modulus of W21X44? Sx = 81.6 in³ (strong axis) and Sy = 6.4 in³ (weak axis). The plastic section modulus Zx = 95.4 in³ and Zy = 10.2 in³.
What steel grade is standard for W21X44? 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 W21X44? Ix = 843 in⁴ about the strong axis and Iy = 20.7 in⁴ about the weak axis. The radius of gyration is rx = 8.06 in and ry = 1.26 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.