Look up W-shape properties, switch between US customary and metric designations, and run an AISC 360 Chapter E column check.
Look up steel W-shape section properties, convert between US customary and metric designations, and estimate column compressive strength under AISC 360.
Imperial ⇄ metric
AISC 360 Chapter E
LRFD & ASD
Frequently asked questions
Which AISC 360 provisions does the column check use?
It applies the flexural-buckling provisions of AISC 360 Chapter E3 for doubly symmetric members without slender elements: elastic buckling stress Fe = π²E/(KL/r)², then Fcr = 0.658^(Fy/Fe)·Fy when KL/r ≤ 4.71√(E/Fy) and Fcr = 0.877·Fe above that. Design strength is φPn with φ = 0.90 (LRFD) and allowable strength is Pn/Ω with Ω = 1.67 (ASD).
Does the tool contain the full AISC shapes database?
No. It includes a small set of common W-shapes with properties you can compare against the AISC Shapes Database. For any other section, switch to Custom section and type the area and radii of gyration from the manual to get the same Chapter E result.
What do K and L mean here?
K is the effective length factor for the end conditions (1.0 pinned-pinned, 0.5 fixed-fixed, 0.7 fixed-pinned, 2.0 cantilever) and L is the unbraced length. The tool asks for KL directly for each axis, and the larger of KL/rx and KL/ry governs.
Can I use these results for design?
Use them as a check, not as a design basis. The checks ignore slender elements (Section E7), torsional and flexural-torsional buckling, combined loading and connection design. A licensed engineer must verify anything that will be built.