W6X20 Steel Beam — Section Properties
Dimensions
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Depth (d) | 6.20 | in (157.5 mm) |
| Flange Width (bf) | 6.02 | in (152.9 mm) |
| Flange Thickness (tf) | 0.36 | in |
| Web Thickness (tw) | 0.26 | in |
| Area (A) | 5.87 | in² (37.9 cm²) |
| Weight | 20 | lb/ft (30 kg/m) |
Elastic Section Properties
| Property | Strong Axis (X-X) | Weak Axis (Y-Y) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moment of Inertia (I) | 41.40 | 13.30 | in⁴ |
| Elastic Section Modulus (S) | 13.40 | 4.41 | in³ |
| Plastic Section Modulus (Z) | 14.90 | 6.72 | in³ |
| Radius of Gyration (r) | 2.66 | 1.50 | in |
Torsional Properties
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Torsional Constant (J) | 0.24 | in⁴ |
| Warping Constant (Cw) | 113 | in⁶ |
| Distance Between Flange Centroids (ho) | 5.84 | in |
| Effective Radius (rts) | 1.70 | in |
Design Resources
- Beam Capacity Calculator — Check W6X20 for your span and loads
- Column Capacity Calculator — Check W6X20 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 W6X20 beam? 20 lb/ft (30 kg/m). A 40-ft length weighs approximately 800 lbs.
What is the section modulus of W6X20? Sx = 13.4 in³ (strong axis) and Sy = 4.4 in³ (weak axis). The plastic section modulus Zx = 14.9 in³ and Zy = 6.7 in³.
What steel grade is standard for W6X20? 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 W6X20? Ix = 41.4 in⁴ about the strong axis and Iy = 13.3 in⁴ about the weak axis. The radius of gyration is rx = 2.66 in and ry = 1.50 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.