Section properties helper

Catalogue A, I and mass are taken from the attached FrameCalc section helper. J and Iw are calculated where not supplied. Custom hollow-section formulae use sharp-corner geometry and are approximate. PFC sections are deliberately excluded because they are not doubly symmetric.

Working table — inputs
InputValueUnit
Member and frame type
Check typeBeam only, beam-column, or sway-frame column
Member length LSpan or member/storey lengthm
Effective length factor KcCompression buckling
LTB length factor KLTUnrestrained length factor
Sway moment amplificationUse 1.0 if no amplification is required
Design actions
Left/end moment M1Signed end momentkNm
Right/end moment M2Signed end momentkNm
Maximum span moment MspanMaximum sagging or hogging momentkNm
Axial force FCompression positive, tension negativekN
Shear VMaximum design shearkN
Material and applied section properties
Design strength pyAdjust for grade and thicknessN/mm²
Area AEditable after helper applicationmm²
Elastic modulus Sx / ZxSelected bending-axis elastic modulusmm³
Shear area AvApproximate design shear areamm²
Compression buckling radius ryRadius about the axis normal to selected bending planemm
LTB transverse inertia IzTransverse principal inertia for open sectionsmm⁴
Torsion constant JCatalogue-derived or geometry formulamm⁴
Warping constant IwZero for closed hollow sectionsmm⁶
Formula coefficients
Young's modulus EN/mm²
Shear modulus GN/mm²
ηcPerry compression imperfection factor
ηLTPerry LTB imperfection factor
C1Elastic critical moment gradient factor
m factor override0 = automatic
High shear limitFraction of PvPv

Graphic and utilisation

Governing utilisation

Scope note

The checker remains a simplified formula-route design aid. Confirm section classification, effective lengths, restraints, LTB assumptions, second-order effects, local capacity checks, serviceability and connection design separately.