Lecture 4 Section Properties (symmetric shapes)

1.

Area

Area has units of length squared typically in2, ft2, mm2, etc.
a) Rectangle:
Height
Area = base x height

Base

b) Circle:
Dia
Area =

Dia 2

Circumference = D
Hollow circle area = Aouter - Ainner
c) Triangle:
Area = (Base)(Height)
Height
Base
d) Trapezoid:

Height 1
Height 2
Base
Area = (Height 1 + Height 2)(Base)
e) Hollow shapes:
Area = Aouter - Ainner

Lecture 4 - Page 1 of 9

2. Location of Centroid

Y axis

The centroid of a shape is the location of the center of its weight. It is the
point on a shape where you could balance it in equilibrium. It is the location
of the intersection of the neutral axes in the primary X and Y axes. The
location of the centroid is essential for determining other cross-sectional
properties such as moment of inertia.

a) Rectangle:

Neutral axes

X axis

y
y = (Height)
x = (Base)
b) Circle:

Dia

y
y = (Dia)

c) Triangle:
Height
y
x

1
y = (Height)
3
x=

Base

1
(Base)
3

Lecture 4 - Page 2 of 9

3. Moment of Inertia
The moment of inertia, or I is a measure of the stiffness of the cross-sectional
shape. It is the property which explains why, for example, a 2x10 wood joist is
oriented vertically rather than flat to carry more load. It is sometimes referred to
the second moment of area. The moment of inertia has units of length raised to
the 4th power typically in4 of mm4. The moment of inertia is typically measured
about the strong axis (usually the X axis) and the weak axis (usually the Y axis).

Y axis

a) Rectangle:
Neutral axes

X axis

Height h

y
Base b

Ix =

bh
12

where b = base and h = height

hb 3
Iy =
12
b) Circle:
Ix = Iy =

D 4
64

where D = Diameter

c) Triangle:
Height h
y
Ix =

bh
36

x
Base b

d) Symmetric Hollow Shapes:

I = Iouter - Iinner

Lecture 4 - Page 3 of 9

4. Section Modulus
The section modulus or S is also a measure of the stiffness of a crosssectional shape. It is sometimes more convenient to use this rather than moment
of inertia for calculations such as bending stresses. It has units of length raised
to the 3rd power typically in3 or mm3. Do NOT get it confused with volume!!
Similar to moment of inertia, the section modulus is typically measured about the
strong axis (usually the X axis) and the weak axis (usually the Y axis).

General formula for determining section modulus:

Sx =

Ix
where Ix = moment of inertia about x axis
y
y = distance to neutral axis

Sy =

Iy
x

where Iy = moment of inertia about y axis

x = distance to neutral axis

a) Rectangle:
Neutral axes
bh

2
12
= bh
Sx =
6
h

2
3

X axis

Height h
Base b

S y = similar

b) Other shapes:
Section modulus shall be determined as dividing moment of inertia by
distance to neutral axis as mentioned above.

Lecture 4 - Page 4 of 9

5. Radius of Gyration
The radius of gyration is used most often in column design as a measure of a
cross-sectional shapes ability to resist buckling. It has units of length
typically inches or mm.

General formula for determining radius of gyration:

rx =

Ix
where Ix = moment of inertia about x axis
A
A = cross-sectional area

ry =

Iy
A

where Iy = moment of inertia about y axis

A = cross-sectional area

Lecture 4 - Page 5 of 9

Example 1:
GIVEN: A wood 2x8 (actual 1 x 7)
REQUIRED: Determine
a) Area
b) Location of centroid
c) Moment of inertia about strong and weak axes
d) Section modulus about strong and weak axes
e) Radius of gyration about strong and weak axes.
a) Area:
h = 7

A = bh
= (1.5)(7.25)
= 10.88 in2
b = 1

b) Location of centroid:
y = (Height)
= (7.25)
= 3.625
x = (Base)
= (1.5)
= 0.75
c) Moment of inertia:

Ix =

bh 3
12

where b = base and h = height

= (1.5)(7.25)3
12
= 47.63 in4 Strong axis

Iy =

hb 3
12

= (7.25)(1.5)3
12
= 2.04 in4 Weak axis

Lecture 4 - Page 6 of 9

d) Section modulus:
Sx =

bh 3

2
12 = bh
h
6
2

(1.5" )(7.25" ) 3
Sx =

7.25"

2
12 = (1.5" )(7.25" )
6

= 13.14 in3 Strong axis

Sy =

hb 3

12 = hb
b
6
2
(7.25" )(1.5" ) 3

Sy =

1.5"

2
12 = (7.25" )(1.5" )
6

= 2.72 in3 Weak axis

e) Radius of gyration:
rx =

Ix
A

rx =

47.63in 4
10.88in 2

= 2.09 in. Strong axis

ry =

Iy

ry =

2.04in 4
10.88in 2

= 0.43 in. Weak axis

Lecture 4 - Page 7 of 9

Example 2:
GIVEN: A 6 O.D. hollow steel pipe with wall thickness
REQUIRED: Determine
a) Area
b) Location of centroid
c) Moment of inertia about strong and weak axes
d) Section modulus about strong and weak axes
e) Radius of gyration about strong and weak axes.

a) Area:
Atot = Aout Ain

= Dia 2
Dia 2
4
outer 4
inner

= (6" ) 2
(5 " ) 2
4
outer 4 2
inner

= 28.27 in2 23.76 in2

Atot = 4.51 in2
b) Location of Centroid:
Centroid location y =

1
O.D.
2
1
(6" )
2

Centroid location y = 3 from bottom of pipe

Lecture 4 - Page 8 of 9

c) Moment of Inertia about Strong & Weak Axis:

I tot = I out I in
=

Dout 4
64

(6" )

64

Din 4

64

where D = Diameter

1
2
64

(5 " ) 4

= 63.62 in4 44.92 in4

Itot = 18.70 in4
d) Section Modulus about Strong & Weak Axis:

I tot
y

S=

18.70in 4
3"

S = 6.23 in3
e) Radius of Gyration about Strong & Weak Axis:
rx =

I tot
Atot

18.70in 4
4.51in 2

r = 2.04 in

Lecture 4 - Page 9 of 9