Tool
Steel Section Capacity Checker
Preliminary verification of a steel section you have already selected. Choose the section, enter the loading and the tool reports bending, shear, deflection, web bearing, web crushing and an approximate lateral-torsional buckling check, together with the governing criterion and reserve capacity.
Section properties — 406x178x60 UB
- Depth h
- 406.4 mm
- Width b
- 177.9 mm
- Area A
- 76.6 cm²
- Mass
- 60.1 kg/m
- Second moment Iy
- 21600 cm⁴
- Elastic modulus Wel,y
- 1063 cm³
- Plastic modulus Wpl,y
- 1200 cm³
- Radius of gyration iy
- 16.8 cm
- Radius of gyration iz
- 4.0 cm
Section data source: Section properties compiled from SCI publication P363 (Blue Book), Eurocode edition, and BS EN 10210 for hot-finished hollow sections. Values are nominal and provided for preliminary sizing only. Area, elastic modulus and radii of gyration are derived from the published mass and second moments.
Output
Select a section, enter the loading and press Check section.
Calculation record
Produce a formatted Bebbington Engineering Studio calculation sheet showing the inputs, working, results and engineering basis. These fields are optional and are printed on the document only.
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The full calculation sheet under the Bebbington Engineering Studio logo. No account and no payment required.
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Tool version 1.0 · Last reviewed Not yet recorded — pending engineering validation
Method and assumptions
- · Support reactions, maximum shear and maximum moment are derived from standard simply supported or cantilever formulae.
- · Bending resistance Mpl,Rd = Wpl,y fy / γM0; elastic bending stress is reported as MEd / Wel,y.
- · Shear resistance Vpl,Rd = Av fy / (√3 γM0), with Av taken as h·tw for open sections, A·h/(h+b) for RHS and SHS and 2A/π for CHS.
- · Deflection is compared with the selected span-based limit (L/180 to L/500).
- · Where a section fails, the three lightest heavier sections that satisfy every check are suggested for comparison.
Worked example
- 406x178x60 UB, S275, 6.0 m simply supported span, Gk = 10 kN/m, Qk = 8 kN/m, L/360, unrestrained.
- wULS = 1.35 × 10 + 1.5 × 8 = 25.5 kN/m → MEd = 25.5 × 6² / 8 ≈ 115 kNm, VEd ≈ 76 kN.
- Mpl,Rd = 1200 × 10³ × 275 / 10⁶ ≈ 330 kNm — the approximate LTB check typically governs when the flange is unrestrained.
Engineering basis & limitations — Steel Section Capacity Checkerv1.0 · reviewed Not yet recorded — pending engineering validation
Design standard
- · BS EN 1990 — Basis of structural design.
- · BS EN 1993-1-1 — Design of steel structures: general rules.
National Annex
- · UK National Annex partial factors γM0 = γM1 = 1.0.
Analysis and design method
- · Cross-section resistances calculated for the selected section and grade.
- · Bending, shear and, for open sections, lateral-torsional buckling are reported with individual utilisations.
- · The governing check is the highest utilisation of those actually assessed.
Load combination basis
- · Design effects are entered by the user at ULS. The tool does not derive load combinations.
Material assumptions
- · S275 or S355 hot-rolled steel; section properties from published UK section data (SCI P363).
Restraint assumptions
- · Restraint conditions are as stated by the user; the tool cannot verify that restraint exists on site.
Serviceability criteria
- · Deflection is not checked by this tool — use Beam Analysis or the Deflection Check.
Not checked by this tool
- · Cross-section classification and slender (Class 4) behaviour.
- · Axial force and beam-column interaction.
- · Web bearing, web buckling and local load introduction.
- · Connections, bearings, fixings and their detailing.
- · Fire resistance, corrosion protection and durability requirements.
- · Overall structural stability, robustness and disproportionate collapse.
- · Vibration, dynamic response and fatigue.
- · Temporary works, construction sequence and buildability.
Where this tool does not apply
- · Members with significant axial load or applied torsion.
- · Non-standard, plated, tapered or perforated sections.
Preliminary / informational calculation — not a BES project-specific structural design. Within the checks and assumptions listed above, only the stated utilisations have been assessed; a satisfactory utilisation does not confirm overall structural adequacy.
Engineering assumptions and limitations
- · Eurocode basis — BS EN 1993-1-1 with the UK National Annex; partial factors γM0 = γM1 = 1.0.
- · Loads are combined at ULS as 1.35 Gk + 1.5 Qk (EN 1990, expression 6.10); deflection uses unfactored load.
- · Linear elastic serviceability behaviour; no allowance for creep, pre-camber or construction sequence.
- · Class 1 or 2 cross-section assumed for the plastic bending resistance — section classification must be verified.
- · Web bearing and web crushing use simplified effective-length approaches and ignore stiffeners.
- · Lateral-torsional buckling is approximate: uniform moment, kz = kw = 1 and C1 = 1.0.
- · Preliminary assessment only — no fire design, no connection design, no vibration assessment, no fatigue assessment.
- · Final member suitability requires full structural appraisal by a Chartered Structural Engineer.
Disclaimer
Indicative result only. The calculation depends on the assumptions and information entered and does not constitute structural design or professional advice. Do not use the result for construction, procurement, Building Regulations submissions or safety-critical decisions. All results must be independently verified by a suitably qualified structural engineer before being used for design, construction or regulatory purposes. Bebbington Engineering Studio Ltd accepts no responsibility for reliance placed on unverified results.