Enter the yield strength of the material and the section modulus into the calculator to determine the moment capacity of a beam or section. The moment capacity is a critical value in structural engineering that indicates the maximum moment a section can withstand before yielding.
Moment Capacity Formula
The following formula is used to calculate the moment capacity:
M = Fy * S
Variables:
- M is the moment capacity (lb-ft)
- Fy is the yield strength of the material (psi)
- S is the section modulus (in^3)
To calculate the moment capacity, multiply the yield strength of the material by the section modulus.
What is Moment Capacity?
Moment capacity is the maximum bending moment that can be applied to a structural element before it yields. It is a measure of the strength of the element in bending and is dependent on the material properties and the cross-sectional shape. The moment capacity is an essential factor in the design of beams and other structural components to ensure they can safely support the applied loads without failure.
How to Calculate Moment Capacity?
The following steps outline how to calculate the Moment Capacity:
- First, determine the yield strength of the material (Fy) in psi.
- Next, determine the section modulus (S) in cubic inches.
- Next, gather the formula from above = M = Fy * S.
- Finally, calculate the Moment Capacity (M) in pound-feet.
- After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.
Example Problem:
Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.
Yield strength of the material (Fy) = 36,000 psi
Section modulus (S) = 10 in^3
