Common context
Common project roles include beams, monorails, crane-related or industrial framing, and existing-building work where the S series is specified or matched.
AISC v16.0 · S shape
S15X42.9
S15X42.9 weighs 42.9 lb/ft, has a depth of 15 in, a cross-sectional area of 12.6 in², and an x-axis elastic section modulus Sx of 59.4 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
- 42.9 lb/ft
- Area
- 12.6 in²
- Depth
- 15 in
- Elastic Sx
- 59.4 in³
From designation to geometry
Reading the S15X42.9 record
The 15 in depth series in S15X42.9 is a designation. The tabulated depth d is 15 in and flange width bf is 5.5 in. The separately listed detailing depth ddet is 15 in.
The web thickness tw is 0.411 in and flange thickness tf is 0.622 in. Keep the exact designation with these dimensions: matching the depth series does not guarantee matching flanges, web geometry or connection fit.
Ix = 446 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 S15X42.9
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 × 42.9 lb/ft | 858 lb | 389.182 kg |
| 3 pieces | 3 × 858 lb | 2,574 lb | 1,167.547 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 beam?
An S-shape is a hot-rolled, doubly symmetric beam with proportions and flange geometry different from a W-shape. It is identified by nominal depth and weight per foot.
Learn how shape properties workDetailing watch
Check tapered flange geometry, connection surface, gage, fit-up, availability, and avoid substituting a W-shape solely because depth and weight appear similar.
Portable reference files
Download S15X42.9 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
S15X42.9 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
- 42.9 lb/ft
- A Area
- 12.6 in²
- d Depth / angle leg dimension d
- 15 in
- ddet Detailing depth
- 15 in
- bf Flange width
- 5.5 in
- bfdet Detailing flange width
- 5.5 in
- tw Web thickness
- 0.411 in
- twdet Detailing web thickness
- 0.438 in
- tf Flange thickness
- 0.622 in
- tfdet Detailing flange thickness
- 0.625 in
- kdes Design k distance
- 1.38 in
- kdet Detailing k distance
- 1.375 in
Centroid & detailing
- T Detailing T distance
- 12.25 in
- WGi Workable gage, inner
- 3.5 in
X-axis properties
- Ix X-axis moment of inertia
- 446 in⁴
- Zx X-axis plastic section modulus
- 69.2 in³
- Sx X-axis elastic section modulus
- 59.4 in³
- rx X-axis radius of gyration
- 5.95 in
- rts Effective radius of gyration
- 1.31 in
- ho Flange centroid distance
- 14.4 in
Y- and z-axis properties
- Iy Y-axis moment of inertia
- 14.3 in⁴
- Zy Y-axis plastic section modulus
- 9.08 in³
- Sy Y-axis elastic section modulus
- 5.19 in³
- ry Y-axis radius of gyration
- 1.06 in
Torsion, warping & perimeters
- J Torsional constant
- 1.54 in⁴
- Cw Warping constant
- 737 in⁶
- PA Shape perimeter PA
- 43.4 in
- PB Shape perimeter PB
- 48.9 in
- PC Shape perimeter PC
- 35.5 in
- PD Shape perimeter PD
- 41 in
Compare published reference values
S15X42.9 alongside nearby S 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S15X42.9 (this record) | 42.9 | 15 | 12.6 | 446 | 14.3 |
| S15X50 | 50 | 15 | 14.7 | 485 | 15.6 |
Relative to S15X42.9, S15X50 changes nominal weight by +7.1 lb/ft, listed depth by 0 in, and area by +2.1 in². At the same hypothetical 20 ft length, the nominal weight difference is +142 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