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ALUMINUM C CHANNEL SIZES CALCULATOR

This calculator provides the geometric and section properties of standard extruded Aluminum Association C channels. Values include cross-sectional area, weight per unit length, moment of inertia (Ixx, Iyy), section modulus (Sxx, Syy), radius of gyration (rx, ry), and centroid location.

Input Parameters

Note: Use dot “.” as decimal separator.
Aluminum C channel cross-section diagram showing depth d, flange width bf, web thickness tw, flange thickness tf, and fillet radius R

Results

Parameter Value Unit
Designation---—
Weight per unit length [W]---lb/ft
Cross section area [A]---in^2
Depth [d]---in
Web thickness [tw]---in
Flange width [bf]---in
Flange thickness [tf]---in
Fillet radius [R]---in
Second moment of area [Ixx]---in^4
Second moment of area [Iyy]---in^4
Section modulus [Sxx]---in^3
Section modulus [Syy]---in^3
Radius of gyration [rx]---in
Radius of gyration [ry]---in
Distance to centroid in X direction [x]---in

Engineering Notes

Aluminum C channels are open thin-walled members with directional stiffness. Strong-axis (X-X) bending provides higher flexural rigidity than weak-axis (Y-Y). Evaluate lateral-torsional buckling for weak-axis and unsymmetrical loading conditions.

Radii of gyration (rx, ry) govern column capacity in Euler/AISC/EN compression checks, while section modulus relates bending stress to moment: 

σ = M / S

For aluminum alloys, use 0.2% offset yield strength and alloy-temper specific properties in design.

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