Cagayan State University–Carig Campus

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

STRUUCTURAL DESIGN 02
LECTURE
STEEL DESIGN: STANDARD CROSS-SECTIONAL SHAPES

As designers, our basis in the selection of the (2) AMERICAN STANDARD/S-SHAPE/I-BEAM

appropriate cross sections for the individual
members of the structure depend on the so-called It is similar to the W-Shape in having two parallel
standard cross-sectional shapes. flanges, a single web and two axes of symmetry.

Selection entails choosing a standard cross- The difference to wide-flange is in proportions:

sectional shape that is widely available rather than (a) the flanges of the W are wider in relation to the
requiring fabrication. As it is always more web than are the flanges of the S;
economical to buy for sections readily available in (b) the outside and inside faces of the flanges of the
the market rather than fabricating a shape with wide-flange are parallel whereas the inside faces
unique dimensions and properties. of the flanges of the S-shape slope with respect
to the outside faces.
Hot-rolling is a process where most standard shapes
are produced. Example: S510X143 (Metric)

Note: You are encouraged to research and watch videos

online regarding the process of hot-rolling.

ASTM standards define the dimensions and

designations of the following standard shapes:

(1) W-SHAPE/WIDE-FLANGE SHAPE

It consists of two parallel flanges separated by a

single web and the orientation of these elements is Designation:
such that the cross-section has two axes of
symmetry.
S indicates the type of shape, S-shape
Example: W200X15 (Metric) indicates the nominal** depth of the
510
section, mm
143 indicates the weight of the section, kg/m

**Similar to wide-flange, the depths of the S-shape are

grouped or nominal. If you look at the AISC Shapes
Database v15, the actual depth of the section is 516 mm,
not 510 mm.

Designation:

W indicates the type of shape, wide-flange

indicates the nominal* depth of the section
200
parallel to the web, mm
15 indicates the weight of the section, kg/m

*Nominal depth means the depth may be equal, lesser or

greater than the indicated depth in the designation of the
section. W-Shapes are grouped to the nearest millimeter.
So, if you notice in the figure, there is the ± sign indicating
discrepancy or tolerance to the indicated depth. As for
W200X15, luckily, the depth is exactly 200 mm. Consult
your AISC Shapes Database for confirmation.

ARISTON C. TALOSIG, CE 1 | Page

Cagayan State University–Carig Campus
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

STRUUCTURAL DESIGN 02
LECTURE
STEEL DESIGN: STANDARD CROSS-SECTIONAL SHAPES

(3) ANGLE SHAPES Designation:

Unlike the W and S-shapes, angle shapes do not

L indicates the type of shape
provide the weight in their designations.
indicates the length of the longer
203
A. EQUAL LEGS leg***, mm
indicates the length of the shorter leg,
152
mm
Example: L203X203X25.4 (Metric)
12.7 indicates the thickness of the legs, mm

***For angle shapes with unequal legs, the label of the

longer leg must come first before the shorter leg.

(4) AMERICAN STANDARD CHANNEL/C-SHAPE

It has two flanges and a web. The inside faces of the

flanges are sloping just as the S-shapes.

Example: C380X60 (Metric)

Designation:

L indicates the type of shape

203 indicates the length of the first leg, mm

indicates the length of the second leg,
203
mm
25.4 indicates the thickness of the legs, mm
Designation:
B. UNEQUAL LEGS
C indicates the type of shape, channel
Example: L203X152X12.7 (Metric) indicates the nominal depth of the section
380
parallel to the web, mm
60 indicates the weight of the section, kg/m

Miscellaneous Channels (labeled MC) are similar to

American Standard Channels.

(5) STRUCTURAL TEE/SPLIT TEE

The prefix designation is either WT (W-Shape), ST

(S-shape) or MT (Miscellaneous – shapes that
neither fit as W or S) depending on the parent shape
to which it came from.

Designations for tee shapes are similar to that of W

and S-shapes which include the depth and weight of
the section.

ARISTON C. TALOSIG, CE 2 | Page

Cagayan State University–Carig Campus
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

STRUUCTURAL DESIGN 02
LECTURE
STEEL DESIGN: STANDARD CROSS-SECTIONAL SHAPES

HP shapes (Bearing Pile) are similar to the W- IMPORTANT NOTES:

shapes only that the thickness of the web and flange
are the same. (1) Since we are using the metric system in the
Philippines and in board exams, we will use metric
shapes only.
(2) Always consult for the AISC Shapes Database
version 15 in all problems except when the properties
are given in the problem.

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never

(6) BARS & PLATES falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

Both can have circular, square and rectangular - Nelson Mandela

cross sections. The only difference is their width
dimensions.

According to AISC, if the width is 8” or less, it is Prepared by:

classified as a bar. Whereas, if it is greater than 8”,
the shape is classified as a plate.
ENGR. ARISTON C. TALOSIG
For both bars and plates, the designation used is PL. Lecturer

(7) HOLLOW STRUCTURAL SECTIONS

Hollow shapes are manufactured and designated as

HSS as their category implies. Hollow structural
sections include steel pipes, round HSS, square and
rectangular HSS.

(8) OTHER SHAPES

ARISTON C. TALOSIG, CE 3 | Page