The W27x178 is a W-shape steel beam identified by its profile designation and summarized dimensions in the reference data below. This page is intended as a practical reference for engineers, detailers, fabricators, and students who need to interpret the section geometry before using it in drawings or design workflows.
Use the listed properties together with the project specifications, material requirements, connection details, and applicable engineering checks. For related terminology, see the site’s references on W-shapes, steel section properties, and structural steel connections.
W Beam
refer to : AISC 16
the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Specification for Structural Steel Buildings (AISC 360-16), which is the 2016 edition of the AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings. It provides guidelines and requirements for the design, fabrication, and erection of steel structures in the United States.
Depth : 706.1 mm
Width : 358.1 mm
Web Thickness : 18.4 mm
Flange Thickness : 30.2 mm
Root Fillet Radius : 20.1 mm
Sectional Area : 338.71 cm2
Unit Weight : 265.9 kg/m
How to read the W27x178 reference
The source data identifies the principal geometry of the section, including its overall depth and width, web thickness, flange thickness, and root fillet radius. These dimensions are useful when checking clearances, preparing connection details, coordinating framing, or creating CAD and DWG references.
The sectional area describes the amount of steel in the cross-section. The listed unit weight expresses the section’s mass per unit length and can support material takeoff and shipping discussions. These values should be read directly from the authoritative local data on this page rather than estimated from nominal designation alone.
Design and detailing context
The page references the American Institute of Steel Construction Specification for Structural Steel Buildings, AISC 360-16. That reference establishes a broader framework for structural steel design, fabrication, and erection, but the section dimensions shown here do not by themselves provide member capacity, connection capacity, or project-specific design approval.
Before placing the shape in a final model or drawing, confirm the governing design criteria, steel material specification, orientation, connection requirements, fabrication allowances, and applicable project standards. The accompanying DWG resource can be useful for drafting coordination, subject to checking the downloaded geometry against the source data and project needs.
W27x178 FAQ
What type of section is the W27x178?
It is a W beam, also commonly described as a wide-flange structural steel shape. The reference data provides its principal geometric and mass-related properties.
What do depth and width mean on this page?
Depth refers to the overall section dimension through the web and flanges, while width refers to the flange-to-flange dimension. Use the listed values when coordinating space, framing, and detailing.
Why is the root fillet radius important?
The root fillet is the curved transition between the web and flange. Its geometry can matter when checking fit-up, connection detailing, coping, and adjacent component clearances.
Does this page provide the design capacity of the beam?
No. The listed dimensions, sectional area, and unit weight are reference properties. Capacity depends on the applicable design method, material, unbraced condition, loading, connections, and other project-specific checks.
Is the DWG file ready for final construction drawings?
The DWG is provided as a drafting reference. Verify its geometry, units, orientation, layering, and coordination with the project model before using it in issued documentation.
