Cross Section Formula Sheet
Reference formulas for cross-sectional area of common shapes and beam sections
Cross Sectional Area Formula of Common Shapes
| Shape | Cross-Sectional Area (A) |
|---|---|
| Rectangle (base b, height h) | A = b·h |
| Circle (radius r) | A = π·r² |
| Hollow Circle (outer radius R, inner radius r) | A = π·(R² − r²) |
| Triangle (base b, height h) | A = (b·h)/2 |
| Thin-Walled Tube (radius r, thickness t) | A ≈ 2·π·r·t |
| I-Beam (flange width b, height h, web width bi, web height hi) | A = b·h − bi·hi |
| C-Channel (flange width b, height h, web thickness t) | A ≈ 2·b·t + (h − 2·t)·t |
| T-Beam (flange width bf, flange thickness tf, web width bw, web height hw) | A = bf·tf + bw·hw |
| L-Angle (leg lengths a, b; thickness t) | A ≈ a·t + b·t − t² |
| Hollow Rectangle / Box Section (outer width b, outer height h, wall thickness t) | A = (b·h) − ((b − 2·t)·(h − 2·t)) |
| Solid Square (side a) | A = a² |
| Solid Hexagon (side a) | A = (3·√3 / 2)·a² |
About the Cross Section Area Formula Sheet
This page provides a comprehensive reference of cross-sectional area formulas for common structural and mechanical shapes. Engineers, designers, and students can quickly determine the area of beams, columns, shafts, and hollow or solid sections for structural analysis, material calculations, and mechanical design.
Included are formulas for rectangles, circles, triangles, I-beams, T-beams, C-channels, L-angles, hollow rectangles (box sections), and more. These cross-sectional area calculations are essential for understanding how shapes resist axial loads, bending, and buckling in beams, frames, and mechanical components.
Applications of This Reference
- Quickly calculate cross-sectional area (A) for common engineering shapes.
- Use as a reference in structural mechanics, material selection, and load analysis.
- Supports calculations for beam design, column sizing, and mechanical components.
- Clear, accurate formulas for solid and hollow sections, standard beam profiles, and geometric shapes.
By using this cross-sectional area formula sheet, engineers and designers can save time, improve accuracy, and ensure proper material usage in construction, mechanical engineering, and structural applications. This page serves as a practical, quick engineering reference for anyone needing reliable area formulas of structural and mechanical components.