Steel Size Calculator

What is a Steel Size Calculator?

A steel size calculator is a tool used in structural engineering to estimate the required size or cross-sectional area of a steel member (such as a beam or column) based on applied loads, material properties, and safety factors.

Why use a Steel Size Calculator?

1. Structural Design: Assists in designing steel members for specific loads and spans.
2. Material Selection: Helps in selecting appropriate steel materials and sizes.
3. Load Distribution: Assists in calculating the load-carrying capacity of steel members.
4. Safety: Ensures that the selected steel size meets safety factors and design requirements.

How to use a Steel Size Calculator:

1. Enter the applied load in pounds.
2. Select the steel material from the dropdown menu.
3. Enter the safety factor.
4. Click the "Calculate" button.
5. The calculator estimates the recommended steel size based on the provided inputs.

Example of Calculator:

Let's say you have an applied load of 20,000 pounds, and you want to calculate the recommended steel size using A36 steel with a safety factor of 1.5:

1. Enter applied load: 20,000 pounds
2. Select steel material: A36
3. Enter safety factor: 1.5
4. Click the "Calculate" button.

Recommended Steel Size: 6.00 square inches.

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