Moment Of Inertia Formulas For Different Shapes

Moment of Inertia formulas and calculation examples for the most common cross sections and profiles

Last updated: August 7th, 2023

Calculating moment of inertias for different shapes and Cross-sections is probably the one thing in structural engineering that we use throughout our studies and also careers later on.

While it’s very important to know how to derive and calculate the Moment of inertias, the further we get in our studies, the more we can use formulas.

In this post we’ll show, the most important and easiest formulas for Rectangular, I/H, Circular and hollow circular section but also formulas which involve more steps for L-, T- and U- Shapes.

Overview of moment of inertia formulas for different cross-sections.
Overview of moment of inertia formulas for different cross-sections.

But now, let’s get started. 🚀🚀

1. Moment of inertia – Rectangular shape/section (formula)

Strong Axis

$I_y = \frac{1}{12} \cdot h^3 \cdot w$

Weak Axis

$I_z = \frac{1}{12} \cdot h \cdot w^3$

Moment of inertia rectangular cross section strong and weak axis or shape dimensions
Dimensions of rectangular Cross-section.

Example calculation

h = 240 mm, w = 120 mm

Strong axis:

$I_y = \frac{1}{12} \cdot h^3 \cdot w = \frac{1}{12} \cdot (240mm)^3 \cdot 120mm = 1.3824 \cdot 10^8 mm^4$

Weak axis:

$I_z = \frac{1}{12} \cdot h \cdot w^3 = \frac{1}{12} \cdot 240mm \cdot (120mm)^3= 3.456 \cdot 10^7 mm^4$

Where is the Moment of inertia of a rectangular Cross-section used in real projects?

  • Structural bending stress calculation of timber beams (here)
  • Structural stress calculation of (steel) plates
  • Structural stress calculation of concrete beams

2. Moment of inertia – I/H shape/section (formula)

Strong Axis

$I_y = \frac{w \cdot h^3}{12} – \frac{(w-t_w) \cdot (h-2\cdot t_f)^3}{12}$

Weak Axis

$I_z = \frac{(h-2 \cdot t_f) \cdot t_w^3}{12} + \frac{2 \cdot t_f \cdot w^3}{12}$

Dimensions of I Cross-section (IPE, HEB, etc.).

Example calculation

$h$ = 300mm, $w$ = 150mm, $t_f$ = 10mm, $t_w$ = 7mm

Strong axis:

$I_y = \frac{w \cdot h^3}{12} – \frac{(w-t_w) \cdot (h-2\cdot t_f)^3}{12} = \frac{150mm \cdot (300mm)^3}{12} – \frac{(150mm-7mm) \cdot (300mm-2\cdot 10mm)^3}{12} = 7.59 \cdot 10^7 mm^4$

Weak axis:

$I_z = \frac{(h-2\cdot t_f) \cdot t_w^3}{12} + \frac{2\cdot t_f \cdot w^3}{12} = \frac{(300mm-2\cdot 10mm) \cdot (7mm)^3}{12} + \frac{2\cdot 10mm \cdot (7mm)^3}{12} = 5.63 \cdot 10^6 mm^4$

Where is the Moment of inertia of a I/H Cross-section used in real projects?

  • Structural bending stress calculation of timber I-joists
  • Structural bending stress calculation of steel I/H beams and columns

3. Moment of inertia – Circular shape/section (formula)

Strong Axis

$I_y = \frac{D^4 \cdot \pi}{64}$

Weak Axis

$I_z = \frac{D^4 \cdot \pi}{64}$

Moment of inertia circle circular cross-section strong and weak axis with dimensions
Dimensions of circular Cross-section for calculation of Moment of Inertia.

Example calculation

D = 100mm

Strong axis:

$I_y = \frac{D^4 \cdot \pi}{64} = \frac{(100mm)^4 \cdot \pi}{64} = 4.91 \cdot 10^6 mm^4$

Weak axis:

$I_z = \frac{D^4 \cdot \pi}{64} = \frac{(100mm)^4 \cdot \pi}{64} = 4.91 \cdot 10^6 mm^4$

Where is the Moment of inertia of a circular Cross-section used in real projects?

  • Structural steel wind bracing tension rods
  • Structural concrete column

4. Moment of inertia – Hollow circular tube Section (formula)

Strong Axis

$I_y = \frac{(D^4-d^4) \cdot \pi}{64}$

Weak Axis

$I_z = \frac{(D^4-d^4) \cdot \pi}{64}$

Moment of inertia circle hollow circular cross-section strong and weak axis with dimensions
Dimensions of Hollow circular hollow tube Cross-section for calculation of Moment of Inertia.

Example calculation

D = 100mm, d = 90mm

Strong axis:

$I_y = \frac{(D^4 – d^4) \cdot \pi}{64} = \frac{((100mm)^4 – (90mm)^4) \cdot \pi}{64} = 1.688 \cdot 10^6 mm^4$

Weak axis:

$I_z = \frac{(D^4 – d^4) \cdot \pi}{64} = \frac{((100mm)^4 – (90mm)^4) \cdot \pi}{64} = 1.688 \cdot 10^6 mm^4$

Where is the Moment of inertia of a circular Cross-section used in real projects?

  • Structural steel wind bracing tension rods
  • Steel columns

5. Moment of inertia – Hollow rectangular tube Section (formula)

Strong Axis

$I_y = \frac{W \cdot H^3 -w \cdot h^3}{12}$

Weak Axis

$I_z = \frac{W^3 \cdot H -w^3 \cdot h}{12}$

Moment of inertia hollow rectangular cross-section strong and weak axis with dimensions
Dimensions of Hollow rectangular Cross-section for the calculation of Moment of Inertia.

Example calculation

W = 120mm, H = 240mm, w = 100mm, h = 220mm

Strong axis:

$I_y = \frac{W \cdot H^3 – w \cdot h^3}{12} = \frac{120mm \cdot (240mm)^3 – 100mm \cdot (220mm)^3}{12}= 4.95 \cdot 10^7 mm^4$

Weak axis:

$I_z = \frac{W^3 \cdot H – w^3 \cdot h}{12} = \frac{(120mm)^3 \cdot 240mm – (100mm)^3 \cdot 220mm}{12} = 1.62 \cdot 10^7 mm^4$

Where is the Moment of inertia of a circular Cross-section used in real projects?

  • Columns

6. Moment of inertia – U profile (formula)

Strong Axis

$I_y = \frac{w \cdot h^3 -(w-t_w)\cdot (h-2t_f)^3}{12}$

Dimensions of Hollow rectangular Cross-section for the calculation of Moment of Inertia.
Distance point a to centroid:

$y_{c} = \frac{1}{(h-2t_f) \cdot t_w + 2 \cdot w \cdot t_f} \cdot ((h-2t_f) \cdot t_w \cdot \frac{t_w}{2} + 2 \cdot w \cdot t_f \cdot \frac{w}{2})$

Moment of Inertia – weak axis:

$I_z = \frac{(h-2 \cdot t_f) \cdot t_w^3}{12} + (h-2 \cdot t_f) \cdot t_w \cdot (y_c – \frac{t_w}{2})^2 + \frac{2 \cdot t_f \cdot w^3}{12} + 2 \cdot w \cdot t_f \cdot (\frac{w}{2} – y_c)^2$

Example calculation

w = 100mm, h = 80mm, $t_f$ = 5mm, $t_w$ = 5mm

Strong axis:

$I_y = \frac{w \cdot h^3 – (w – t_w) \cdot (h – 2t_f)^3}{12} = \frac{100mm \cdot (80mm)^3 – (100mm – 5mm) \cdot (80mm – 2\cdot 5mm)^3}{12}= 1.55 \cdot 10^6 mm^4$

Distance point a to centroid:

$y_{c} = \frac{1}{(h-2t_f) \cdot t_w + 2 \cdot w \cdot t_f} \cdot ((h-2t_f) \cdot t_w \cdot \frac{t_w}{2} + 2 \cdot w \cdot t_f \cdot \frac{w}{2})$
$y_{c} = \frac{1}{(80mm-2\cdot 5mm) \cdot 5mm + 2 \cdot 100mm \cdot 5mm} \cdot ((80mm-2 \cdot 5mm) \cdot 5mm \cdot \frac{5mm}{2}$ $
                + 2 \cdot 100mm \cdot 5mm \cdot \frac{100mm}{2})$
$y_c = 37.69mm$

Weak axis:

$I_z = \frac{(h-2 \cdot t_f) \cdot t_w^3}{12} + (h-2 \cdot t_f) \cdot t_w \cdot (y_c – \frac{t_w}{2})^2 + \frac{2 \cdot t_f \cdot w^3}{12} + 2 \cdot w \cdot t_f \cdot (\frac{w}{2} – y_c)^2$
$I_z = \frac{(80mm-2 \cdot 5mm) \cdot (5mm)^3}{12} + (80mm-2 \cdot 5mm) \cdot 5mm \cdot (37.69mm – \frac{5mm}{2})^2$
$ + \frac{2 \cdot 5mm \cdot (100mm)^3}{12} + 2 \cdot 100mm \cdot 5mm \cdot (\frac{100mm}{2} – 37.69mm)^2$
$I_z = 1.42 \cdot 10^6 mm^4$

Where is the Moment of inertia of a U Cross-section used in real projects?

  • Wind bracing of steel or timber structures

7. Moment of inertia – T profile (formula)

Weak Axis

$I_z = \frac{t_f \cdot w^3}{12} + \frac{h \cdot t_w^3}{12}$

Moment of inertia t cross section profile strong and weak axis with dimensions
Dimensions of T Cross-section/Profile for the calculation of Moment of Inertia.
Distance point $z_c$ to centroid:

$z_{c} = \frac{1}{h \cdot t_w + w \cdot t_f} \cdot (h \cdot t_w \cdot \frac{h}{2} + w \cdot t_f \cdot (h + \frac{t_f}{2})$

Moment of inertia – Weak axis:

$I_y = \frac{h^3 \cdot t_w}{12} + h \cdot t_w \cdot (\frac{h}{2} – z_c)^2 + \frac{t_f \cdot w^3}{12} + w \cdot t_f \cdot (h + \frac{t_f}{2} – z_c)^2$

Example calculation

w = 100mm, h = 100mm, $t_f$ = 5mm, $t_w$ = 5mm

Distance $z_c$ to centroid:

$z_{c} = \frac{1}{h \cdot t_w + w \cdot t_f} \cdot (h \cdot t_w \cdot \frac{h}{2} + w \cdot t_f \cdot (h + \frac{t_f}{2})$
$z_{c} = \frac{1}{100mm \cdot 5mm + 100mm \cdot 5mm} \cdot (100mm \cdot 5mm \cdot \frac{100mm}{2} + 100mm \cdot 5mm \cdot (100mm + \frac{5mm}{2})$
$z_c = 76.25mm$

Strong axis:

$I_y = \frac{h^3 \cdot t_w}{12} + h \cdot t_w \cdot (\frac{h}{2} – z_c)^2 + \frac{t_f \cdot w^3}{12} + w \cdot t_f \cdot (h + \frac{t_f}{2} – z_c)^2 $
$I_y = \frac{(100mm)^3 \cdot 5mm}{12} + 100mm \cdot 5mm \cdot (\frac{100mm}{2} – 76.25mm)^2 + \frac{5mm \cdot (100mm)^3}{12}$
$ + 100mm \cdot 5mm \cdot (100mm + \frac{5mm}{2} – 76.25mm)^2 $
$I_y = 1.107 \cdot 10^6 mm^4$

Weak axis:

$I_z = \frac{t_f \cdot w^3}{12} + \frac{h \cdot t_w^3}{12}$
$I_z = \frac{5mm \cdot (100mm)^3}{12} + \frac{100mm \cdot (5mm)^3}{12}$
$I_z = 4.177 \cdot 10^5 mm^4$

8. Moment of inertia – Unsymmetrical I/H profile (formula)

Weak Axis

$I_z = \frac{t_{f.t} \cdot w_{t}^3}{12} + \frac{(h-t_{f.t}-t_{f.b})\cdot t_w^3}{12} +\frac{t_{f.b} \cdot w_{b}^3}{12}$

Dimensions of unsymmetrical I/H Cross-section/Profile for the calculation of Moment of Inertia.
Dimensions of unsymmetrical I/H Cross-section/Profile for the calculation of Moment of Inertia.
Distance point $z_c$ to centroid:

$z_c=(\frac{1}{w_t \cdot t_{f.t}+w_b \cdot t_{f.b}+(h-t_{f.t}-t_{f.b}) \cdot t_w}) \cdot (w_t \cdot t_{f.t} \cdot \frac{t_{f.t}}{2}+(h-t_{f.t}-t_{f.b}) \cdot t_w \cdot(t_{f.t}+\frac{(h-t_{f.t}-t_{f.b}}{2})$
$+w_b \cdot t_{f.b} \cdot(h-\frac{t_{f.b}}{2}))$

Moment of inertia – Weak axis:

$I_y=\frac{w_t \cdot t_{f.t}^3}{12}+w_t \cdot t_{f.t} \cdot(z_c-\frac{t_{f.t}}{2})^2+\frac{t_w \cdot(h-t_{f.t}-t_{f.b})^3}{12}$
$+t_w \cdot(h-t_{f.t}-t_{f.b}) \cdot(z_c-(t_{f.t}+\frac{(h-t_{f.t}-t_{f.b})}{2}))^2+\frac{w_b \cdot t_{f.b}^3}{12}+w_b \cdot t_{f.b} \cdot(z_c-h-\frac{t_{f.b}}{2})^2$

Example calculation

$w_t = 200mm$, $w_b = 100mm$, $h = 200mm$, $t_{f.t} = 20mm$, $t_{f.b} = 10mm$, $t_w = 10mm$

Distance $z_c$ to centroid:

$z_c=(\frac{1}{200mm \cdot 20mm+100mm \cdot 10mm+(200mm-20mm-10mm) \cdot 10mm}) \cdot$
$(200mm \cdot 20mm \cdot \frac{20mm}{2}+(200mm-20mm-10mm) \cdot 10mm \cdot(20mm+\frac{200mm-20mm-10mm}{2})$
$+100mm \cdot 10mm \cdot(200mm-\frac{10mm}{2})) = 61.72mm$

Strong axis:

$I_y=\frac{200mm \cdot (20mm)^3}{12}+200mm \cdot 20mm \cdot(61.72mm-\frac{20mm}{2})^2+\frac{10mm \cdot(200mm-20mm-10mm)^3}{12}$
$+10mm \cdot(200mm-20mm-10mm) \cdot(61.72mm-(20mm+\frac{(200mm-20mm-10mm)}{2}))^2$
$+\frac{100mm \cdot (10mm)^3}{12}+100mm \cdot 10mm \cdot(61.72mm-200mm-\frac{10mm}{2})^2 = 3.865 \cdot 10^7 mm^4$

Weak axis:

$I_z = \frac{20mm \cdot (200mm)^3}{12} + \frac{(200mm-20mm-10mm)\cdot (10mm)^3}{12} +\frac{10mm \cdot (100mm)^3}{12} = 1.418 \cdot 10^7 mm^4$

Units

The unit of the moment of inertia is the fourth power of a length unit [length4]. If you would like to use $mm$ in your calculation, then the unit of the moment of inertia is mm4.

In case you use m [meter], then the unit is m4.

Conclusion

The moment of inertia is an important parameter in structural design. Therefore, it’s recommendable to know how to calculate it for different cross-sections.

In the following blog posts, we show step-by-step, how to calculate moment of inertias.

If you are new to structural design, then check out our design tutorials where you can learn how to use the moment of inertia to design structural elements such as

Do you miss any Moment of inertia formulas for any shape or Cross-section that we forgot in this article? Let us know in the comments✍️

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *