What does the weight designation on a W10 x 22 beam represent?

What does the weight designation on a W10 x 22 beam represent?

• A. The depth in inches
• B. The flange width in inches
• C. Nominal weight per foot in pounds
• D. The moment of inertia

Answer: (C)

In wide-flange steel beams, the designation after the W gives size and mass information in two parts. The first number is the approximate depth of the beam in inches. The second number is the nominal weight per foot in pounds. So a W10 x 22 means the beam is about 10 inches deep and weighs roughly 22 pounds for every foot of length. This weight figure is used to estimate the total weight of a length of beam, plan crane capacity and structural loads from dead weight, and size connections, but it’s an approximate value—the exact weight can vary slightly with manufacturing tolerances. It’s not the flange width, nor a direct measure of stiffness or moment of inertia, which are separate properties looked up in tables.

In wide-flange steel beams, the designation after the W gives size and mass information in two parts. The first number is the approximate depth of the beam in inches. The second number is the nominal weight per foot in pounds. So a W10 x 22 means the beam is about 10 inches deep and weighs roughly 22 pounds for every foot of length. This weight figure is used to estimate the total weight of a length of beam, plan crane capacity and structural loads from dead weight, and size connections, but it’s an approximate value—the exact weight can vary slightly with manufacturing tolerances. It’s not the flange width, nor a direct measure of stiffness or moment of inertia, which are separate properties looked up in tables.