2art0n016 Section modulus - Wikipedia
Section modulus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Section modulus is a geometric property for a given cross-section used in the design of beams or flexural
members. Other geometric properties used in design include area for tension and shear, radius of gyration for
compression, and moment of inertia and polar moment of inertia for stiffness, Any relationship between these
properties is highly dependent on the shape in question. Equations for the section moduli of common shapes are
given below. There are two types of section moduli, the elastic section modulus (S) and the plastic section modulus
(Z). The section modulus of different profiles can also be found as numerical values for common profiles in tables
listing properties of such.
Contents
Notation
Elastic section modulus
Plastic section modulus
Use in structural engineering
See also
References
External links
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Notation
North American and British/Australian convention reverse the usage of S & Z. Elastic modulus is $ in North
America,!'! but Z in Britain/Australia,!! and vice versa for the plastic modulus. Eurocode 3 (EN 1993 - Steel
Design) resolves this by using W for both, but distinguishes between them by the use of subscripts - We; and Wp.
Elastic section modulus
For general design, the elastic section modulus is used, applying up to the yield point for most metals and other
common materials.
The elastic section modulus is defined as S = I/ y, where I is the second moment of area (or moment of inertia) and
y is the distance from the neutral axis to any given fibre. It is often reported using y = ¢, where c is the distance
from the neutral axis to the most extreme fibre, as seen in the table below. It is also often used to determine the
yield moment (My) such that My = S * o,, where oy is the yield strength of the material-Elastie Section Modulus
can also be defined as the first moment of area.
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Section modulus - Wikipedia
Section modulus equations!)
Cross-sectional shape Figure Equation Comment
7
bh? Solid arrow
Rectangle S= represents neutral
r | 6 axis
BH? bh*
BO oe
8.
doubly symmetric I-section real at Sr=%, NA indicates
(major axis) h naAH neutral axis
¥ H
—— with y= —
2
Tt 5
doubly symmetric I-section Fa] |[a Sy= BH—h) | (B—5)°h Na indicates
(minor axis) h H 6 @B neutral axis
cy
NA
Circle
Solid arrow
represents neutral
axis
Solid arrow
Circular hollow section —+2— ‘represents neutral
axis