Common context
Common project roles include specialty edge framing, equipment and industrial supports, stair or platform framing, and conditions requiring a particular channel proportion.
AISC v16.0 · MC shape
MC18X42.7
MC18X42.7 weighs 42.7 lb/ft, has a depth of 18 in, a cross-sectional area of 12.6 in², and an x-axis elastic section modulus Sx of 61.5 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
- 42.7 lb/ft
- Area
- 12.6 in²
- Depth
- 18 in
- Elastic Sx
- 61.5 in³
From designation to geometry
Reading the MC18X42.7 record
The 18 in depth series in MC18X42.7 is a designation. The tabulated depth d is 18 in and flange width bf is 3.95 in. The separately listed detailing depth ddet is 18 in.
The web thickness tw is 0.45 in and flange thickness tf is 0.625 in. This open channel also has centroid x = 0.877 in and shear-center offset eo = 0.969 in; preserve the toe direction and source axis convention when using those values.
Ix = 554 in⁴ and Iy = 14.3 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 MC18X42.7
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 × 42.7 lb/ft | 854 lb | 387.368 kg |
| 3 pieces | 3 × 854 lb | 2,562 lb | 1,162.104 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 miscellaneous channel?
An MC-shape is a hot-rolled miscellaneous channel whose proportions differ from the standard C series. It remains an open, singly symmetric section and should be identified by its exact designation and properties.
Learn how shape properties workDetailing watch
Do not substitute a C-shape from nominal depth alone. Verify exact flange, web, gage, slope, availability, and connection geometry from the controlling record.
Portable reference files
Download MC18X42.7 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
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Extrude a nominal member
Enter a member length in inches. Mesh files are generated from the nominal reference profile.
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Dimensions & properties
MC18X42.7 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
- 42.7 lb/ft
- A Area
- 12.6 in²
- d Depth / angle leg dimension d
- 18 in
- ddet Detailing depth
- 18 in
- bf Flange width
- 3.95 in
- bfdet Detailing flange width
- 4 in
- tw Web thickness
- 0.45 in
- twdet Detailing web thickness
- 0.438 in
- tf Flange thickness
- 0.625 in
- tfdet Detailing flange thickness
- 0.625 in
- kdes Design k distance
- 1.44 in
- kdet Detailing k distance
- 1.438 in
Centroid & detailing
- x Centroid x
- 0.877 in
- eo Shear-center offset
- 0.969 in
- xp Plastic neutral axis x
- 0.349 in
- T Detailing T distance
- 15.125 in
- WGi Workable gage, inner
- 2.5 in
X-axis properties
- Ix X-axis moment of inertia
- 554 in⁴
- Zx X-axis plastic section modulus
- 75.1 in³
- Sx X-axis elastic section modulus
- 61.5 in³
- rx X-axis radius of gyration
- 6.64 in
- rts Effective radius of gyration
- 1.34 in
- ho Flange centroid distance
- 17.4 in
Y- and z-axis properties
- Iy Y-axis moment of inertia
- 14.3 in⁴
- Zy Y-axis plastic section modulus
- 8.82 in³
- Sy Y-axis elastic section modulus
- 4.64 in³
- ry Y-axis radius of gyration
- 1.07 in
Torsion, warping & perimeters
- J Torsional constant
- 1.23 in⁴
- Cw Warping constant
- 852 in⁶
- PA Shape perimeter PA
- 46.3 in
- PB Shape perimeter PB
- 50.3 in
- PC Shape perimeter PC
- 40 in
- PD Shape perimeter PD
- 43.9 in
Compare published reference values
MC18X42.7 alongside nearby MC 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MC18X42.7 (this record) | 42.7 | 18 | 12.6 | 554 | 14.3 |
| MC18X45.8 | 45.8 | 18 | 13.5 | 578 | 14.9 |
| MC18X51.9 | 51.9 | 18 | 15.3 | 627 | 16.3 |
Relative to MC18X42.7, MC18X45.8 changes nominal weight by +3.1 lb/ft, listed depth by 0 in, and area by +0.9 in². At the same hypothetical 20 ft length, the nominal weight difference is +62 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