W40x397 is a wide-flange structural steel beam designation used in American steel-shape references. This page provides the source dimensions and mass data for the shape, along with an AISC reference and a downloadable DWG file for drafting workflows.
Use the listed values as a reference when reviewing W shapes, comparing steel sections, or coordinating drawings. Design selection, connection design, and member verification must be completed with the applicable project criteria and by a qualified engineer.
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 : 1041.4 mm
Width : 408.9 mm
Web Thickness : 31 mm
Flange Thickness : 55.9 mm
Root Fillet Radius : 30 mm
Sectional Area : 754.84 cm2
Unit Weight : 592.5 kg/m
How to read the W40x397 reference
The source identifies this member as a W beam. The W designation describes a wide-flange shape: two flanges are connected by a central web, creating a section commonly used for beams and columns. The designation is a naming convention, while the dimensional listing provides the information needed to understand the physical cross-section.
Meaning of the listed properties
- Depth describes the overall outside-to-outside height of the section.
- Width describes the overall flange width.
- Web thickness describes the thickness of the vertical web.
- Flange thickness describes the thickness of each flange.
- Root fillet radius describes the curved transition between the web and a flange. This region matters when detailing connections, checking clearances, and modeling the shape accurately.
- Sectional area is the cross-sectional steel area and is used in axial-resistance, mass, and related calculations.
- Unit weight expresses the member’s mass per unit length. Keep mass, force, and unit systems consistent when using this value in estimates or design calculations.
Reference and drafting use
The source cites AISC 360-16, the 2016 AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings. That reference provides the broader framework for steel design, fabrication, and erection in the United States; it does not replace project-specific engineering checks.
For related research, connect this page to the site’s resources for AISC W-shape dimensions, steel section properties, structural steel terminology, and CAD/DWG shape files. The supplied DWG download can support preliminary drafting and coordination, but drawings should be checked against the governing project reference before fabrication.
W40x397 FAQ
What type of section is W40x397?
W40x397 is identified in the source as a W beam, also called a wide-flange structural steel shape. Its geometry consists of a web and two flanges connected through rounded root regions.
What does the unit weight describe?
Unit weight describes the mass of the steel member for a given length. It is useful for estimating member mass and supporting load calculations, provided the units are handled consistently.
Why is the root fillet radius important?
The root fillet affects the actual boundary of the rolled shape. It can influence connection clearances, cope and access details, section modeling, and the fit of adjacent components.
What is the AISC 16 reference on this page?
The reference is AISC 360-16, the 2016 edition of the AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings. It establishes design, fabrication, and erection requirements for structural steel buildings in the United States.
Can I use the DWG directly for fabrication?
The DWG is a drafting reference and should be reviewed against the project drawings, applicable specifications, and the governing shape data before it is used for fabrication or construction.
