W21X83 Steel Beam — Section Properties
Dimensions
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Depth (d) | 21.40 | in (543.6 mm) |
| Flange Width (bf) | 8.36 | in (212.3 mm) |
| Flange Thickness (tf) | 0.83 | in |
| Web Thickness (tw) | 0.52 | in |
| Area (A) | 24.40 | in² (157.4 cm²) |
| Weight | 83 | lb/ft (124 kg/m) |
Elastic Section Properties
| Property | Strong Axis (X-X) | Weak Axis (Y-Y) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moment of Inertia (I) | 1,830 | 81.40 | in⁴ |
| Elastic Section Modulus (S) | 171 | 19.50 | in³ |
| Plastic Section Modulus (Z) | 196 | 30.50 | in³ |
| Radius of Gyration (r) | 8.67 | 1.83 | in |
Torsional Properties
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Torsional Constant (J) | 4.34 | in⁴ |
| Warping Constant (Cw) | 8,630 | in⁶ |
| Distance Between Flange Centroids (ho) | 20.60 | in |
| Effective Radius (rts) | 2.21 | in |
Design Resources
- Beam Capacity Calculator — Check W21X83 for your span and loads
- Column Capacity Calculator — Check W21X83 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 W21X83 beam? 83 lb/ft (124 kg/m). A 40-ft length weighs approximately 3,320 lbs.
What is the section modulus of W21X83? Sx = 171 in³ (strong axis) and Sy = 19.5 in³ (weak axis). The plastic section modulus Zx = 196 in³ and Zy = 30.5 in³.
What steel grade is standard for W21X83? 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 W21X83? Ix = 1830 in⁴ about the strong axis and Iy = 81.4 in⁴ about the weak axis. The radius of gyration is rx = 8.67 in and ry = 1.83 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.