Common context
Common project roles include stair framing, edge members, lintels, equipment supports, girts, headers, and built-up or back-to-back framing.
AISC v16.0 · C shape
C3X6
C3X6 weighs 6 lb/ft, has a depth of 3 in, a cross-sectional area of 1.76 in², and an x-axis elastic section modulus Sx of 1.38 in³. Open the full US customary property record or generate 2D, data, report, and 3D reference files locally in your browser.
Nominal profile
Units · inches
Building nominal profile…
- Weight
- 6 lb/ft
- Area
- 1.76 in²
- Depth
- 3 in
- Elastic Sx
- 1.38 in³
From designation to geometry
Reading the C3X6 record
The 3 in depth series in C3X6 is a designation. The tabulated depth d is 3 in and flange width bf is 1.6 in. The separately listed detailing depth ddet is 3 in.
The web thickness tw is 0.356 in and flange thickness tf is 0.273 in. This open channel also has centroid x = 0.455 in and shear-center offset eo = 0.322 in; preserve the toe direction and source axis convention when using those values.
Ix = 2.07 in⁴ and Iy = 0.3 in⁴ refer to the database x- and y-axes. Here Ix is numerically larger. Axis letters are labels, not a guarantee that x is always the larger axis. These are geometric properties, not allowable loads or complete member capacities.
Match the axis and dimension conventions to the figures in the AISC v16.0 workbook Readme. The profile above simplifies manufacturing geometry; its outline is not used to recalculate the published properties.
Worked quantity example
Nominal weight for C3X6
Assume 3 pieces, each 20 ft (6.096 m) long. This is a hypothetical quantity example, not a stock-length or lifting recommendation.
| Quantity | Calculation | Nominal pounds | Kilogram equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| One 20 ft piece | 20 ft × 6 lb/ft | 120 lb | 54.431 kg |
| 3 pieces | 3 × 120 lb | 360 lb | 163.293 kg |
Conversion: 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg; displayed results are rounded. This multiplication excludes connection plates, bolts, weld metal, coatings, cutting allowances and actual material variation. Use the material takeoff for your own lengths and quantities.
Shape family context
What is a American Standard channel?
A C-shape is a hot-rolled channel with one web and two flanges on the same side. Its singly symmetric, open geometry makes orientation, eccentricity, and torsion important considerations.
Learn how shape properties workDetailing watch
Check toe direction, gage and bolt access, flange slope where applicable, connection eccentricity, web orientation, and whether paired channels require separation or intermediate connectors.
Portable reference files
Download C3X6 your way.
Every file is generated locally in your browser from the same nominal profile and AISC v16.0 reference record.
CAD, vector, and image
Use the profile in CAD, illustration, plotting, reports, or presentations.
Tables and portable data
Take a printable datasheet, spreadsheet, structured record, or plain-text table.
Extrude a nominal member
Enter a member length in inches. Mesh files are generated from the nominal reference profile.
One-click package
Complete 2D + data bundle
DXF, SVG, EPS, HPGL, PDF, PNG, WebP, CSV, XLSX, JSON, XML, YAML, TXT, and Markdown in one ZIP.
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Dimensions & properties
C3X6 reference data.
Values below are derived from the AISC Shapes Database v16.0 in US customary units. A dash indicates that a property is not applicable or not included for this family.
Nominal dimensions
- W Nominal weight
- 6 lb/ft
- A Area
- 1.76 in²
- d Depth / angle leg dimension d
- 3 in
- ddet Detailing depth
- 3 in
- bf Flange width
- 1.6 in
- bfdet Detailing flange width
- 1.625 in
- tw Web thickness
- 0.356 in
- twdet Detailing web thickness
- 0.375 in
- tf Flange thickness
- 0.273 in
- tfdet Detailing flange thickness
- 0.25 in
- kdes Design k distance
- 0.688 in
- kdet Detailing k distance
- 0.688 in
Centroid & detailing
- x Centroid x
- 0.455 in
- eo Shear-center offset
- 0.322 in
- xp Plastic neutral axis x
- 0.294 in
- T Detailing T distance
- 1.625 in
X-axis properties
- Ix X-axis moment of inertia
- 2.07 in⁴
- Zx X-axis plastic section modulus
- 1.74 in³
- Sx X-axis elastic section modulus
- 1.38 in³
- rx X-axis radius of gyration
- 1.09 in
- rts Effective radius of gyration
- 0.519 in
- ho Flange centroid distance
- 2.73 in
Y- and z-axis properties
- Iy Y-axis moment of inertia
- 0.3 in⁴
- Zy Y-axis plastic section modulus
- 0.543 in³
- Sy Y-axis elastic section modulus
- 0.263 in³
- ry Y-axis radius of gyration
- 0.413 in
Torsion, warping & perimeters
- J Torsional constant
- 0.073 in⁴
- Cw Warping constant
- 0.462 in⁶
- PA Shape perimeter PA
- 10.1 in
- PB Shape perimeter PB
- 11.7 in
- PC Shape perimeter PC
- 7.6 in
- PD Shape perimeter PD
- 9.2 in
Compare published reference values
C3X6 alongside nearby C records
These records share the same nominal series, outside envelope or leg arrangement, depending on the family. Peers are ordered by absolute weight difference, then listed depth and designation. The table does not rank structural performance or approve a substitution.
| Record | Weight (lb/ft) | Depth (in) | Area (in²) | Ix (in⁴) | Iy (in⁴) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C3X6 (this record) | 6 | 3 | 1.76 | 2.07 | 0.3 |
| C3X5 | 5 | 3 | 1.47 | 1.85 | 0.241 |
| C3X4.1 | 4.1 | 3 | 1.2 | 1.65 | 0.191 |
Relative to C3X6, C3X5 changes nominal weight by -1 lb/ft, listed depth by 0 in, and area by -0.29 in². At the same hypothetical 20 ft length, the nominal weight difference is -20 lb.
Open these records in the full comparison tool
Compare the remaining dimensions, axis conventions, grade, availability and project requirements separately. Weight or section-property similarity does not establish matching connection geometry or member capacity.
Data is derived from the AISC Shapes Database v16.0, consistent with the AISC Steel Construction Manual, 16th Edition, 1st Printing. AISC advises professional verification before use in a specific application. The downloadable DXF is a nominal reference profile and may simplify rolled fillets, flange tapers, angle radii, HSS corner radii, and other manufacturing geometry. Verify all dimensions and suitability before design, detailing, ordering, or fabrication.
From reference to deliverable