Moment of Inertia Formula Query

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on a formula provided in an exam for calculating the moment of inertia of an I beam, which appears to yield different results compared to the standard bd^3/12 method. Participants note that the formula lacks clarity on the dimensions of its symbols and suggest it may be an approximation rather than an exact calculation. The correct moment of inertia value is confirmed as 7.73x10^6 mm^4, aligning with results from an online beam calculator. It is explained that the formula is derived using Steiner's theorem but produces higher values due to the overlap of the web and flanges, making it suitable only for thin-walled sections. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding the limitations of approximations in engineering calculations.
Iain123
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Hello, this formula was given to me in an exam to find the moment of inertia of an I beam,

https://ibb.co/jY7ZKG
jY7ZKG


jY7ZKG

However this formula seems to give a different answer to the standard bd^3/12 method, is the formula in the image wrong ?
Thanks
 
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Hello Iain, :welcome:

Interesting, an exam that provides a formula without explaining what the symbols and their dimensions are and (at least, if ##I## stands for the moment of inertia) gives a formula with the wrong dimension.

I see no images. The link works:
upload_2018-1-19_22-45-7.png


What is this and what is your standard ? (not this one, I suppose)
 

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It seems to be a crude approximation of the appropriate way of doing it (see ##I_x##, from source):

area_moment_of_inertia_I_beam_example.jpg
 

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BvU said:
if II stands for the moment of inertia) gives a formula with the wrong dimension.

The dimensions of this expression are L^4 which is entirely appropriate for an AREA moment of inertia, a quantity commonly used in the analysis of beams.
 
I kind of realized that. Would have helped if Iain had mentioned it in post #1 (##I## as moment of inerita is more common for ordinary physicists...:rolleyes: ).

Now: wat is your standard?
 
Thanks for your reply's,
I have attached an image showing my working using both formulas, and also a picture showing the I beam dimensions (web thickness is 20mm).

https://ibb.co/nMDCrw

Using Skyciv's online beam calculator returns an I value of 7.73x10^6 mm^4 , the same as i got on top line. Also this is only concerning the Ixx value and not Iyy , and I is referring to the second moment of area.
I don't understand how the second formula can return a different value and still be correct, i must be missing something :-/
Thanks
 
Last edited:
The answer I = 7733333 mm4 is correct. To make sure, I double checked it with Calcpad:
http://calcpad.net/Spreadsheet/208/double-tee-section

The formula in the exam is correct but it is approximate. It is obtained by taking the web and adding the flanges by the Steiner's theorem:
I = 2t*h3/12 + 2*b*t*(h/2)2
I = t*h3/6 + b*t*h2/2
I = (t*h3/6) + 3*b/h*(t*h3/6)
I = t*h3/6*(1 + 3*b/h)
The problem is that web and flanges overlap, so this formula produces higher values than the exact one.
It can be used only for thin-walled sections where 't' is much smaller than the other dimensions. Then the overlap becomes negligible.
 
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