Section Family
IPE Section Properties Calculator
Start from an IPE-style rolled section layout to estimate section area, strong-axis inertia, weak-axis inertia, and self-weight before continuing into a beam deflection check.
Geometric Inputs
Section Shape
Section Blueprint
Cross-sectional Area2724.8 mm²
Weight per meter21.39 kg/m
Technical Properties
Inertia (Ix)1845.6 cm⁴
Inertia (Iy)141.9 cm⁴
Modulus (Wx)184.6 cm³
Modulus (Wy)28.4 cm³
Radius (ix)82.3 mm
Radius (iy)22.8 mm
Calculation Basis
Assumptions & Limits
- Geometry is idealized without fillet radii, rolling tolerances, or local cut-outs.
- Weight per meter is based on standard steel density and should be treated as an engineering estimate.
- For real section tables, manufacturer or code values should still be checked against the entered dimensions.
Reference Basis
- Documentation: Methodology
- Documentation: Engineering Review
- Roark's Formulas for Stress and Strain
- Mechanics of Materials references
- Classical section-property references
Starter IPE Dimensions
| Depth H | 200 mm starter depth |
| Flange width B | 100 mm |
| Web thickness tw | 5.6 mm |
| Flange thickness tf | 8.5 mm |
| Best use | Strong-axis stiffness check |
How To Use This Page
- Keep the I-beam preset when comparing rolled I-sections where flange and web dimensions are already known.
- The main design driver for serviceability is usually strong-axis inertia Ix, so compare changes in depth first before adjusting web thickness.
- After the geometry is stable, move into the IPE beam deflection page or the generic beam solver with the chosen inertia value.
Key Formulas
- Area: A = 2 B tf + (H - 2 tf) tw. Gross steel area for an idealized I-shape.
- Major-axis inertia: Ix = [B H^3 - (B - tw)(H - 2 tf)^3] / 12. Controls vertical beam deflection in the usual strong-axis orientation.
- Section modulus: Wx = Ix / (H / 2). Useful when the same section is later checked for bending stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this page limited to exact catalog IPE sizes? No. It starts from an IPE-style geometry but remains editable, so it also works for quick section-series comparisons before you lock the final catalog size.
- Which result matters most for beam deflection? For the usual major-axis beam orientation, the governing result is usually Ix. Larger depth often changes Ix much more than small web-thickness adjustments.
- When should I leave this page and open a beam calculator? Move to a beam page once the section geometry is settled and the next question becomes span, load, support condition, and actual deflection.
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