This calculator determines key structural properties of T-shaped sections (tees) used in steel construction, mechanical design, and civil engineering.
T Section Elastic Modulus Calculator
Moment of Inertia (Iyy): —cm⁴
Elastic Section Modulus (Sxx): —cm³
Elastic Section Modulus (Syy): —cm³
Plastic Section Modulus (Zxx): —cm³
Plastic Section Modulus (Zyy): —cm³
Cross-sectional Area (A): —cm²
Centroid Position (yc): —mm
Formulas for T-sections:
Ixx = Σ(Ilocal + A·d2)
Iyy = tw3H/12 + B3tf/12
Sxx = Ixx/ymax, Syy = Iyy/(B/2)
Zxx = A·(yt + yc)/2, Zyy = B2tf/4 + Htw2/4
What is the Elastic Section Modulus of a T-Section?
The elastic section modulus of a T-section is a fundamental geometric property used to assess its bending resistance. T-sections are commonly used in structural applications where asymmetric profiles are required.
Calculation Overview:
The section modulus is calculated based on the moment of inertia and the distance from the neutral axis to the outermost fiber, using the formula:
S = \frac{I}{c}
Where:
S = Elastic section modulus
I = Moment of inertia of the T-section
c = Distance from the neutral axis to the extreme fiber
Application:
The elastic section modulus is essential for calculating bending stress using:
σ = \frac{M}{S}
Where:
σ = Bending stress
M = Applied bending moment
S = Section modulus (mm³ or in³)
Use this calculator to quickly determine the bending strength of T-sections in both metric and imperial units.
Calculate moment of inertia, elastic/plastic section modulus, and cross-sectional area for T-sections. Free online tool for engineers with metric/imperial unit support.
🔹 Overview & Features
Key Features:
- ✅ Dual-unit support: Metric (mm) and Imperial (inches) inputs
- ✅ Comprehensive outputs:
- Moments of inertia (Ixx, Iyy)
- Elastic section moduli (Sxx, Syy)
- Plastic section moduli (Zxx, Zyy)
- Cross-sectional area (A)
- Centroid position (yc)
- ✅ Formulas based on parallel axis theorem and standard mechanics principles
- ✅ Mobile-friendly design with clean interface
🔹 How to Use
- Input Dimensions:
- Flange width (B)
- Web height (H)
- Flange thickness (t<sub>f</sub>)
- Web thickness (t<sub>w</sub>)
- Select Units: Choose between mm or inches
- Click “Calculate”: Results instantly display with correct units
- Interpret Results:
- Use Ixx/Iyy for deflection/stiffness calculations
- Sxx/Syy for elastic bending capacity
- Zxx/Zyy for plastic bending capacity
🔹 FAQ
- Q1: What’s the difference between elastic (S) and plastic (Z) modulus?
A: Elastic modulus (S) assumes linear stress distribution, while plastic modulus (Z) accounts for full section yielding. Z is typically 1.1-1.5× S for T-sections. - Q2: Why is centroid position important?
A: Centroid (yc) determines the neutral axis location, critical for calculating Sxx and Zxx. - Q3: How accurate are the plastic modulus calculations?
A: Results are approximations (±2-5%) based on simplified formulas. For critical designs, verify with exact methods. - Q4: Can I use this for inverted T-sections?
A: Yes – results are valid regardless of orientation.