W36X256 Steel Beam — Section Properties
Dimensions
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Depth (d) | 37.40 | in (950.0 mm) |
| Flange Width (bf) | 12.20 | in (309.9 mm) |
| Flange Thickness (tf) | 1.73 | in |
| Web Thickness (tw) | 0.96 | in |
| Area (A) | 75.30 | in² (485.8 cm²) |
| Weight | 256 | lb/ft (381 kg/m) |
Elastic Section Properties
| Property | Strong Axis (X-X) | Weak Axis (Y-Y) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moment of Inertia (I) | 16,800 | 528 | in⁴ |
| Elastic Section Modulus (S) | 895 | 86.50 | in³ |
| Plastic Section Modulus (Z) | 1,040 | 137 | in³ |
| Radius of Gyration (r) | 14.90 | 2.65 | in |
Torsional Properties
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Torsional Constant (J) | 52.90 | in⁴ |
| Warping Constant (Cw) | 168,000 | in⁶ |
| Distance Between Flange Centroids (ho) | 35.70 | in |
| Effective Radius (rts) | 3.24 | in |
Design Resources
- Beam Capacity Calculator — Check W36X256 for your span and loads
- Column Capacity Calculator — Check W36X256 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 W36X256 beam? 256 lb/ft (381 kg/m). A 40-ft length weighs approximately 10,240 lbs.
What is the section modulus of W36X256? Sx = 895 in³ (strong axis) and Sy = 86.5 in³ (weak axis). The plastic section modulus Zx = 1040 in³ and Zy = 137 in³.
What steel grade is standard for W36X256? 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 W36X256? Ix = 16800 in⁴ about the strong axis and Iy = 528 in⁴ about the weak axis. The radius of gyration is rx = 14.90 in and ry = 2.65 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.