Common context
Common project roles include truss members, lintels, chords, edge members, reinforcement, hangers, and connection components.
AISC v16.0 · WT shape
WT8X38.5
WT8X38.5 weighs 38.5 lb/ft, has a depth of 8.26 in, a cross-sectional area of 11.3 in², and an x-axis elastic section modulus Sx of 8.59 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
- 38.5 lb/ft
- Area
- 11.3 in²
- Depth
- 8.26 in
- Elastic Sx
- 8.59 in³
From designation to geometry
Reading the WT8X38.5 record
The WT designation identifies a tee depth series and nominal weight per foot. Use its own tabulated depth d = 8.26 in and flange width bf = 10.3 in rather than halving every dimension of another member.
This tee has web or stem thickness tw = 0.455 in, flange thickness tf = 0.76 in and centroid distance y = 1.63 in. Stem and flange orientation matter when matching the table's axes to a model.
Ix = 56.9 in⁴ and Iy = 69.2 in⁴ refer to the database x- and y-axes. Here Iy 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 WT8X38.5
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 × 38.5 lb/ft | 770 lb | 349.266 kg |
| 3 pieces | 3 × 770 lb | 2,310 lb | 1,047.798 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 structural tee cut from a W-shape?
A WT is a structural tee produced from a W-shape. It has one flange and a stem, so its properties, shear center, connection behavior, and fabrication orientation differ from the parent wide-flange section.
Learn how shape properties workDetailing watch
Confirm stem orientation, flange side, cut geometry, residual deformation, connection eccentricity, cope or weld access, and whether the specified tee is available as required.
Portable reference files
Download WT8X38.5 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
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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
WT8X38.5 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
- 38.5 lb/ft
- A Area
- 11.3 in²
- d Depth / angle leg dimension d
- 8.26 in
- ddet Detailing depth
- 8.25 in
- bf Flange width
- 10.3 in
- bfdet Detailing flange width
- 10.25 in
- tw Web thickness
- 0.455 in
- twdet Detailing web thickness
- 0.438 in
- tf Flange thickness
- 0.76 in
- tfdet Detailing flange thickness
- 0.75 in
- kdes Design k distance
- 1.16 in
- kdet Detailing k distance
- 1.625 in
Centroid & detailing
- y Centroid y
- 1.63 in
- yp Plastic neutral axis y
- 0.549 in
- WGi Workable gage, inner
- 5.5 in
X-axis properties
- Ix X-axis moment of inertia
- 56.9 in⁴
- Zx X-axis plastic section modulus
- 15.3 in³
- Sx X-axis elastic section modulus
- 8.59 in³
- rx X-axis radius of gyration
- 2.24 in
Y- and z-axis properties
- Iy Y-axis moment of inertia
- 69.2 in⁴
- Zy Y-axis plastic section modulus
- 20.5 in³
- Sy Y-axis elastic section modulus
- 13.4 in³
- ry Y-axis radius of gyration
- 2.47 in
Torsion, warping & perimeters
- J Torsional constant
- 1.78 in⁴
- Cw Warping constant
- 4.61 in⁶
- PA Shape perimeter PA
- 26.1 in
- PB Shape perimeter PB
- 36.4 in
- PC Shape perimeter PC
- 26.8 in
- PD Shape perimeter PD
- 37.1 in
Compare published reference values
WT8X38.5 alongside nearby WT 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WT8X38.5 (this record) | 38.5 | 8.26 | 11.3 | 56.9 | 69.2 |
| WT8X33.5 | 33.5 | 8.17 | 9.81 | 48.6 | 59.5 |
| WT8X44.5 | 44.5 | 8.38 | 13.1 | 67.2 | 81.3 |
Relative to WT8X38.5, WT8X33.5 changes nominal weight by -5 lb/ft, listed depth by -0.09 in, and area by -1.49 in². At the same hypothetical 20 ft length, the nominal weight difference is -100 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