
The plastic section modulus is a geometric property of a given cross-section used in the design of beams or flexural members. It is used to calculate a cross-section's capacity to resist bending after yielding has occurred across the entire section. The plastic section modulus is unique to steel, as it is defined as the point when the entire cross-section has yielded, and is used for determining the plastic, or full moment, strength.
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic section modulus is used for materials where plastic behaviour is dominant
- It is used to calculate a cross-section's capacity to resist bending after yielding
- It is used to determine the limit-state of steel beams
- The elastic section modulus is used for general design
- The plastic section modulus depends on the location of the plastic neutral axis (PNA)

Plastic section modulus is used for materials where plastic behaviour is dominant
In solid mechanics and structural engineering, the section modulus is a geometric property of a given cross-section used in the design of beams or flexural members. There are two types of section modulus: elastic and plastic.
The plastic section modulus is used for materials where plastic behaviour is dominant. It is used to calculate a cross-section's capacity to resist bending after yielding has occurred across the entire section. It is used for determining the plastic, or full moment, strength and is larger than the elastic section modulus, reflecting the section's strength beyond the elastic range. The plastic section modulus is defined as the sum of all elemental areas above or below the centroid (x-axis) of the cross section multiplied by the distance from each of the individual elemental centroids to the centroid of the cross section as a whole.
The plastic section modulus depends on the location of the plastic neutral axis (PNA). The PNA is defined as the axis that splits the cross-section such that the compression force from the area in compression equals the tension force from the area in tension. For sections with constant yielding stress, the area above and below the PNA will be equal, but for composite sections, this is not necessarily the case. The plastic section modulus is then the sum of the areas of the cross section on each side of the PNA (which may or may not be equal) multiplied by the distance from the local centroids of the two areas to the PNA.
The plastic section modulus is used for materials and structures where limited plastic deformation is acceptable. It represents the section's capacity to resist bending once the material has yielded and entered the plastic range. The majority of designs do not intentionally encounter this behaviour.
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It is used to calculate a cross-section's capacity to resist bending after yielding
The plastic section modulus is a concept in solid mechanics and structural engineering that is used to calculate a cross-section's capacity to resist bending after yielding has occurred. This is important for determining the full moment strength of a section, which is larger than the elastic section modulus and reflects the section's strength beyond the elastic range.
When a beam bends, it experiences normal stresses across its cross-section, resulting in both compressive and tensile stresses. The bending stress is zero at the beam's neutral axis, which is the axis that splits the cross-section such that the compression force equals the tension force. The beam's upper and lower faces experience the most stress, particularly at a significant distance from the beam's neutral axis.
The plastic section modulus is used for materials and structures where limited plastic deformation is acceptable. It is used to ensure that a structure can safely endure the required loads without significant or unacceptable permanent deformation. This is an integral part of the limit state design method.
The plastic section modulus depends on the location of the plastic neutral axis (PNA). It is calculated as the sum of the areas of the cross-section on either side of the PNA, each multiplied by the distance from their respective local centroids to the PNA. This calculation is unique to steel, as other materials lack the necessary ductility to reach this state.
The bending moment along the length of the beam can be determined from a moment diagram. By calculating the bending moment at any location along the beam, we can then use this value to calculate the bending stress over the beam's cross-section at that location. This relationship can be expressed by the bending stress formula: σ = M × c / I, where σ is the maximum bending stress, M is the bending moment, c is the maximum distance from the beam's neutral axis, and I is the area moment of inertia.
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It is used to determine the limit-state of steel beams
The plastic section modulus is a geometric property of a given cross-section used in the design of beams or flexural members. It is used to calculate a cross-section's capacity to resist bending after yielding has occurred across the entire section. It is used for determining the plastic, or full moment, strength and is larger than the elastic section modulus, reflecting the section's strength beyond the elastic range.
The plastic section modulus is used to determine the limit-state of steel beams, defined as the point when the entire cross-section has yielded. This property is unique to steel, as other materials such as wood and reinforced concrete do not have the necessary ductility to reach this state.
The plastic section modulus is calculated as the sum of the areas of the cross-section on either side of the plastic neutral axis (PNA), each multiplied by the distance from their respective local centroids to the PNA. The PNA is the axis that splits the cross-section such that the compression force from the area in compression equals the tension force from the area in tension.
In structural engineering, the choice between using elastic or plastic strength depends on the specific application. Engineers follow relevant codes that dictate whether an elastic or plastic design approach is appropriate. When designing structural steel members, it is important to consider bending stresses in beams. Structural engineers typically use the plastic moment capacity for structural steel, while engineers unfamiliar with structural engineering theory or not using AISC specifications often use the more conservative elastic bending capacity. Using the plastic moment capacity can result in more efficient designs and is a safe and common practice in the structural steel building industry.
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The elastic section modulus is used for general design
The elastic section modulus is defined as S = I / y, where I is the second moment of area (or moment of inertia) and y is the distance from the neutral axis to any given fibre. It is often reported using y = c, where c is the distance from the neutral axis to the most extreme fibre.
The elastic section modulus is used to determine the yield moment strength of a section. It is an integral part of the limit state design method.
The elastic section modulus is used in conjunction with other geometric properties such as the area for tension and shear, radius of gyration for compression, and second moment of area for stiffness. The relationship between these properties depends on the shape of the object in question.
Engineers follow relevant codes that dictate whether an elastic or plastic design approach is appropriate, which in turn informs the use of either the elastic or plastic section modulus.
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The plastic section modulus depends on the location of the plastic neutral axis (PNA)
The plastic section modulus is a geometric property of a given cross-section used in the design of beams or flexural members. It is used to calculate a cross-section's capacity to resist bending after yielding has occurred across the entire section. It is used for determining the plastic, or full moment, strength and is larger than the elastic section modulus, reflecting the section's strength beyond the elastic range.
The plastic moment can be found by multiplying the yield strength of the material by the plastic section modulus, equivalent to the elastic section modulus, which is frequently used in elastic design. The plastic section modulus, Z, is one-half of the area of the total shape multiplied by the distance from the centroid of the upper half of the area to the centroid of the lower half of the area. There is only one plastic section modulus about a given axis, unlike the two elastic section moduli for the same.
The plastic section modulus is calculated as the sum of the areas of the cross-section on either side of the PNA, each multiplied by the distance from their respective local centroids to the PNA. This is an indication of a section's capacity beyond the yield strength of the material. The plastic section modulus for a rectangular cross-section can be determined by multiplying each section half by the distance from its centroid to the centroid for the whole section.
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Frequently asked questions
The plastic section modulus is used to calculate a cross-section's capacity to resist bending after yielding has occurred across the entire section.
The plastic section modulus is calculated as the sum of the areas of the cross-section on either side of the plastic neutral axis (PNA), each multiplied by the distance from their respective local centroids to the PNA.
PNA stands for plastic neutral axis. The PNA is defined as the axis that splits the cross-section such that the compression force from the area in compression equals the tension force from the area in tension.
The elastic section modulus is used to calculate a cross-section's resistance to bending within the elastic range, where stress and strain are proportional. The plastic section modulus is used after yielding has occurred and assumes that the entire section yields.








































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