W5X16 Steel Beam — Section Properties
Dimensions
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Depth (d) | 5.01 | in (127.3 mm) |
| Flange Width (bf) | 5 | in (127.0 mm) |
| Flange Thickness (tf) | 0.36 | in |
| Web Thickness (tw) | 0.24 | in |
| Area (A) | 4.71 | in² (30.4 cm²) |
| Weight | 16 | lb/ft (24 kg/m) |
Elastic Section Properties
| Property | Strong Axis (X-X) | Weak Axis (Y-Y) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moment of Inertia (I) | 21.40 | 7.51 | in⁴ |
| Elastic Section Modulus (S) | 8.55 | 3 | in³ |
| Plastic Section Modulus (Z) | 9.63 | 4.58 | in³ |
| Radius of Gyration (r) | 2.13 | 1.26 | in |
Torsional Properties
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Torsional Constant (J) | 0.19 | in⁴ |
| Warping Constant (Cw) | 40.60 | in⁶ |
| Distance Between Flange Centroids (ho) | 4.65 | in |
| Effective Radius (rts) | 1.43 | in |
Design Resources
- Beam Capacity Calculator — Check W5X16 for your span and loads
- Column Capacity Calculator — Check W5X16 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 W5X16 beam? 16 lb/ft (24 kg/m). A 40-ft length weighs approximately 640 lbs.
What is the section modulus of W5X16? Sx = 8.6 in³ (strong axis) and Sy = 3 in³ (weak axis). The plastic section modulus Zx = 9.6 in³ and Zy = 4.6 in³.
What steel grade is standard for W5X16? 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 W5X16? Ix = 21.4 in⁴ about the strong axis and Iy = 7.5 in⁴ about the weak axis. The radius of gyration is rx = 2.13 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.