Steel Joist Elastic Properties By William Greco

z Copyright 2009 William Greco Trident3 w2gre@verizon.net

Normally the moment of inertia is not given for Steel Joists in vendor catalog information,
making it difficult to calculate any other cases except uniformly distributed loads.
the following procedure can derive this variables formula for any given steel joist.
The uniform loads at given spans are usually given as pounds per foot that will cause
A 1/360 deflection at center span, this allows us to insert the 1/360 deflection into
the equation and simply solve for moment of inertia.
After obtaining the moment of inertia the section modulus which is simply the
moment of inertia divided by the distance of the most remote fiber from the
neutral axis (assumed in this case to be the center of the xx axis of the joist) can be obtained.

Deflection equation for uniformly distributed loads……

4
5. w. l
max
384. E. I
solving for I =
4
5. L . w
max
384. E. I if a=b then b=a and put terms in order

4
5. L . w
max. I
.
384 E multiply by I
4
5. L . w
max. I
384. E if b=a then a=b

4
5. L . w
I
384. max. E divide by Dmax

Example-1: Determine the section modulus and moment of inertia of an 24 LJ 08

if the standard load table indicates a total load which will cause a 1/360
maximum deflection at center of a 40 foot span is 418 lbs per linear foot.
(note: these tables assume open web joist to be a
non-compact section of 22,000 psi).

1
decimal equivalent of = 0.00277778
360
deflection of 40 foot span= .002777. 480 = 1.333 inches
pounds per inch= 480/12= 34.833

4
5. 480 . 34.833
I= = 622.826
384. 1.333. 29000000
 Steel Joist Elastic Properties
z Copyright 2009 William Greco Trident3 w2gre@verizon.net

Example-1 (continued) =

I 622.826
S = 51.902
Section modulus = centroid 24
2

Radius of Gyration =

I
AREA

AREA=
WEIGHT OF STEEL= 490 LBS/CUFT WEIGHT OF 24 LJ 08 = 22 LBS / LIN. FT.

622.826 = 9.815
r = 22
490
144