Section modulus 1

Section modulus
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, radius of gyration for compression, and 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).

Notation
North American and British/Australian convention reverse the usage of S & Z. Elastic modulus is S in North
America,[1] but Z in Britain/Australia,[2] 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 - Wel and Wpl.

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.[3] It is often reported using y = c, 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 × σy, where σy is the yield strength of the material.[3]

Section modulus equations[4]

Cross-sectional shape Figure Equation Comment

Rectangle Solid arrow represents neutral axis

doubly symmetric I-section (strong axis) NA indicates neutral axis

doubly symmetric I-section (weak axis) NA indicates neutral axis

Circle Solid arrow represents neutral axis

[4]

Circular tube Solid arrow represents neutral axis

Rectangular tube NA indicates neutral axis

Section modulus 2

Diamond NA indicates neutral axis

C-channel NA indicates neutral axis

Plastic section modulus

The Plastic section modulus is used for materials where (irreversible) plastic behaviour is dominant. The majority of
designs do not intentionally encounter this behaviour.
The plastic section modulus depends on the location of the plastic neutral axis (PNA). The PNA is defined as the
axis that splits the cross section such that the compression force from the area in compression equals the tension
force from the area in tension. So, for sections with constant yielding stress, the area above and below the PNA will
be equal, but for composite sections, this is not necessarily the case.
The plastic section modulus is then the sum of the areas of the cross section on each side of the PNA (which may or
may not be equal) multiplied by the distance from the local centroids of the two areas to the PNA:

Description Figure Equation Comment

Rectangular section

For the two flanges of an [5]

, where: =width, =thickness,
I-beam with the web are the distances from the neutral axis
excluded
to the centroids of the flanges respectively.

For an I Beam including [6]

the web

For an I Beam (weak

axis)

Solid Circle

Hollow Circle

The plastic section modulus is used to calculate the plastic moment, Mp, or full capacity of a cross-section. The two
terms are related by the yield strength of the material in question, Fy, by Mp=Fy*Z. Sometimes Z and S are related by
defining a 'k' factor which is something of an indication of capacity beyond first yield. k=Z/S
Therefore for a rectangular section, k=1.5
Section modulus 3

References
[3] Kulak, G.L. and Grondin, G.Y., 2006, Limit States Design in Structural Steel 8th Ed., Canadian Institute of Steel Construction.
[4] Gere, J. M. and Timoshenko, S., 1997, Mechanics of Materials 4th Ed., PWS Publishing Co.
[5] American Institute of Steel Construction: Load and Resistance Factor Design, 3rd Edition, pp. 17-34.

External links
• http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/american-wide-flange-steel-beams-d_1318.html - List of section moduli
for common beam shapes
• http://www.novanumeric.com/samples.php?CalcName=SectionModulus - Online Calculation for Section
Modulus
Article Sources and Contributors 4

Article Sources and Contributors

Section modulus  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=555141680  Contributors: Bbanerje, Bigmonolith, Carl.bunderson, Chaley67, David Eppstein, Drendy88, Earlyehlinger,
Gogo Dodo, HMSSolent, Hess88, J Milburn, Jefflayman, Khakiandmauve, KostisNikolaou, LanaMohinder, Lmi005, Magioladitis, Michael Devore, Michael Hardy, Muchado, Rjwilmsi,
Rmendozajr, RonRodex, Roofstrider, Rzarx, Seam.us, Sehlstrom, Sookiasp, Stephenb, Sturm55, Syth, Wizard191, Yeokaiwei, Zojj, 105 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

Image:Area moment of inertia of a rectangle.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Area_moment_of_inertia_of_a_rectangle.svg  License: Creative Commons
Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported  Contributors: Hemmingsen, WikipediaMaster
Image:Section modulus-I-beam-strong axis.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Section_modulus-I-beam-strong_axis.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors:
Section_modulus-I-beam-weak_axis.svg: *Area_moment_of_inertia_of_a_I-beam.svg: Zielu20 derivative work: Wizard191 (talk) derivative work: Wizard191 (talk)
Image:Section modulus-I-beam-weak axis.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Section_modulus-I-beam-weak_axis.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors:
Area_moment_of_inertia_of_a_I-beam.svg: Zielu20 derivative work: Wizard191 (talk)
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File:Section modulus-rectangular tube.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Section_modulus-rectangular_tube.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors:
Area_moment_of_inertia_of_a_rectangle2.svg: Zielu20 derivative work: Wizard191 (talk)
File:Secion modulus-diamond.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Secion_modulus-diamond.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors:
Area_moment_of_inertia_of_a_square2.svg: Zielu20 derivative work: Wizard191 (talk)
Image:Section modulus-C-channel.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Section_modulus-C-channel.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors:
Area_moment_of_inertia_of_a_channel.svg: Zielu20 derivative work: Wizard191 (talk)

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