A structural drawing shows a beam labeled W12x26. What does the number 26 represent?
Correct Answer
B) The beam weight per linear foot in pounds
In steel beam designations like W12x26, the first number (12) indicates the nominal depth in inches, and the second number (26) indicates the weight per linear foot in pounds. This is standard nomenclature for wide-flange steel beams.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
In standard steel beam nomenclature, the designation W12x26 follows the format W[depth]x[weight]. The 'W' indicates a wide-flange beam, the first number (12) represents the nominal depth in inches, and the second number (26) represents the weight per linear foot in pounds. This standardized system allows engineers and contractors to quickly identify beam specifications from structural drawings.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: The beam depth in inches
The number 12 in W12x26 represents the beam depth in inches, not the 26. The 26 is the weight specification, which is completely different from dimensional measurements.
Option C: The beam width in inches
Steel beam designations don't include width measurements in the standard nomenclature. Wide-flange beams have varying flange widths that aren't specified in the basic W-designation format.
Option D: The beam length in feet
Beam length is never specified in the standard steel beam designation. Length is determined by the specific application and shown separately on structural drawings.
Memory Technique
Remember 'Weight comes last' - in W12x26, the W shows it's Wide-flange, 12 is depth, and 26 is weight per foot. Think 'W-Depth-Weight' as the order.
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