AISC v16.0 · MC shape

MC8X20

MC8X20 weighs 20 lb/ft, has a depth of 8 in, a cross-sectional area of 5.87 in², and an x-axis elastic section modulus Sx of 13.6 in³. Open the full US customary property record or generate 2D, data, report, and 3D reference files locally in your browser.

MC 20 lb/ft · 5.87 in² · EDI MC8X20

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Nominal profile Units · inches

Building nominal profile…

Weight: 20 lb/ft
Area: 5.87 in²
Depth: 8 in
Elastic Sx: 13.6 in³

From designation to geometry

Reading the MC8X20 record

The 8 in depth series in MC8X20 is a designation. The tabulated depth d is 8 in and flange width bf is 3.03 in. The separately listed detailing depth ddet is 8 in.

The web thickness tw is 0.4 in and flange thickness tf is 0.5 in. This open channel also has centroid x = 0.84 in and shear-center offset eo = 0.843 in; preserve the toe direction and source axis convention when using those values.

Ix = 54.4 in⁴ and Iy = 4.42 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 MC8X20

Assume 3 pieces, each 20 ft (6.096 m) long. This is a hypothetical quantity example, not a stock-length or lifting recommendation.

Using the published 20 lb/ft weight
Quantity	Calculation	Nominal pounds	Kilogram equivalent
One 20 ft piece	20 ft × 20 lb/ft	400 lb	181.437 kg
3 pieces	3 × 400 lb	1,200 lb	544.311 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 work

Common context

Common project roles include specialty edge framing, equipment and industrial supports, stair or platform framing, and conditions requiring a particular channel proportion.

Detailing 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 MC8X20 your way.

Every file is generated locally in your browser from the same nominal profile and AISC v16.0 reference record.

2D profile

CAD, vector, and image

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Properties & report

Tables and portable data

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Length-based 3D

Extrude a nominal member

Enter a member length in inches. Mesh files are generated from the nominal reference profile.

Member length in

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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

MC8X20 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: 20 lb/ft
A: 5.87 in²
d: 8 in
ddet: 8 in
bf: 3.03 in
bfdet: 3 in
tw: 0.4 in
twdet: 0.375 in
tf: 0.5 in
tfdet: 0.5 in
kdes: 1.13 in
kdet: 1.125 in

Centroid & detailing

x: 0.84 in
eo: 0.843 in
xp: 0.367 in
T: 5.75 in
WGi: 2 in

X-axis properties

Ix: 54.4 in⁴
Zx: 16.4 in³
Sx: 13.6 in³
rx: 3.04 in
rts: 1.03 in
ho: 7.5 in

Y- and z-axis properties

Iy: 4.42 in⁴
Zy: 3.86 in³
Sy: 2.02 in³
ry: 0.867 in

Torsion, warping & perimeters

J: 0.441 in⁴
Cw: 47.8 in⁶
PA: 23.9 in
PB: 27 in
PC: 19 in
PD: 22.1 in

Compare published reference values

MC8X20 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.

US customary values from the same AISC v16.0 dataset
Record	Weight (lb/ft)	Depth (in)	Area (in²)	Ix (in⁴)	Iy (in⁴)
MC8X20 (this record)	20	8	5.87	54.4	4.42
MC8X18.7	18.7	8	5.5	52.4	4.15
MC8X21.4	21.4	8	6.28	61.5	6.58

Relative to MC8X20, MC8X18.7 changes nominal weight by -1.3 lb/ft, listed depth by 0 in, and area by -0.37 in². At the same hypothetical 20 ft length, the nominal weight difference is -26 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.

Reference use only.

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.

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