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
MC8X8.5
MC8X8.5 weighs 8.5 lb/ft, has a depth of 8 in, a cross-sectional area of 2.5 in², and an x-axis elastic section modulus Sx of 5.82 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
- 8.5 lb/ft
- Area
- 2.5 in²
- Depth
- 8 in
- Elastic Sx
- 5.82 in³
From designation to geometry
Reading the MC8X8.5 record
The 8 in depth series in MC8X8.5 is a designation. The tabulated depth d is 8 in and flange width bf is 1.87 in. The separately listed detailing depth ddet is 8 in.
The web thickness tw is 0.179 in and flange thickness tf is 0.311 in. This open channel also has centroid x = 0.428 in and shear-center offset eo = 0.542 in; preserve the toe direction and source axis convention when using those values.
Ix = 23.3 in⁴ and Iy = 0.624 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 MC8X8.5
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 × 8.5 lb/ft | 170 lb | 77.111 kg |
| 3 pieces | 3 × 170 lb | 510 lb | 231.332 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 MC8X8.5 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.
Choose a format. Files stay in your browser and are not uploaded.
Dimensions & properties
MC8X8.5 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
- 8.5 lb/ft
- A Area
- 2.5 in²
- d Depth / angle leg dimension d
- 8 in
- ddet Detailing depth
- 8 in
- bf Flange width
- 1.87 in
- bfdet Detailing flange width
- 1.875 in
- tw Web thickness
- 0.179 in
- twdet Detailing web thickness
- 0.188 in
- tf Flange thickness
- 0.311 in
- tfdet Detailing flange thickness
- 0.313 in
- kdes Design k distance
- 0.813 in
- kdet Detailing k distance
- 0.813 in
Centroid & detailing
- x Centroid x
- 0.428 in
- eo Shear-center offset
- 0.542 in
- xp Plastic neutral axis x
- 0.156 in
- T Detailing T distance
- 6.375 in
- WGi Workable gage, inner
- 1.125 in
X-axis properties
- Ix X-axis moment of inertia
- 23.3 in⁴
- Zx X-axis plastic section modulus
- 6.95 in³
- Sx X-axis elastic section modulus
- 5.82 in³
- rx X-axis radius of gyration
- 3.05 in
- rts Effective radius of gyration
- 0.624 in
- ho Flange centroid distance
- 7.69 in
Y- and z-axis properties
- Iy Y-axis moment of inertia
- 0.624 in⁴
- Zy Y-axis plastic section modulus
- 0.875 in³
- Sy Y-axis elastic section modulus
- 0.431 in³
- ry Y-axis radius of gyration
- 0.5 in
Torsion, warping & perimeters
- J Torsional constant
- 0.059 in⁴
- Cw Warping constant
- 8.21 in⁶
- PA Shape perimeter PA
- 20.8 in
- PB Shape perimeter PB
- 22.7 in
- PC Shape perimeter PC
- 17.9 in
- PD Shape perimeter PD
- 19.7 in
Compare published reference values
MC8X8.5 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MC8X8.5 (this record) | 8.5 | 8 | 2.5 | 23.3 | 0.624 |
| MC8X18.7 | 18.7 | 8 | 5.5 | 52.4 | 4.15 |
| MC8X20 | 20 | 8 | 5.87 | 54.4 | 4.42 |
Relative to MC8X8.5, MC8X18.7 changes nominal weight by +10.2 lb/ft, listed depth by 0 in, and area by +3 in². At the same hypothetical 20 ft length, the nominal weight difference is +204 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