MC8x8.5 Section Properties — Miscellaneous Channel

MC8x8.5 Section Properties

Complete geometric properties for the MC8x8.5 (Miscellaneous Channel) per AISC Steel Construction Manual, 16th Edition. This section weighs 8.5 lb/ft. Miscellaneous channels are channel shapes that don’t conform to the standard C-shape proportions. They typically have wider flanges or deeper webs than standard channels.

Property Value Unit
Depth 8 in
Flange Width 1.874 in
Flange Thickness 0.311 in
Web Thickness 0.179 in
Cross-Sectional Area 2.5 in²
Moment of Inertia (x-axis) 23.3 in⁴
Moment of Inertia (y-axis) 0.628 in⁴
Elastic Section Modulus (x-axis) 5.82 in³
Elastic Section Modulus (y-axis) 0.427 in³
Plastic Section Modulus (x-axis) 6.87 in³
Plastic Section Modulus (y-axis) 0.763 in³
Radius of Gyration (x-axis) 3.05 in
Radius of Gyration (y-axis) 0.501 in
Torsional Constant 0.0353 in⁴

About Miscellaneous Channel Shapes

Miscellaneous channels are channel shapes that don’t conform to the standard C-shape proportions. They typically have wider flanges or deeper webs than standard channels.

How to Use This Data

The properties listed above are used in structural engineering calculations including:

  • Moment of Inertia (I) — used to calculate deflection and stiffness. Higher I = less deflection under load.
  • Section Modulus (S) — used to calculate bending stress. σ = M/S, where M is the bending moment.
  • Plastic Section Modulus (Z) — used in LRFD design to calculate plastic moment capacity. Mp = Fy × Z.
  • Radius of Gyration (r) — used in column buckling calculations. Higher r = more resistance to buckling.
  • Torsional Constant (J) — used to calculate torsional resistance and lateral-torsional buckling.
  • Area (A) — used to calculate axial capacity and self-weight.

Use our interactive Section Properties Calculator to compare shapes, calculate composite sections, or look up any AISC shape. For beam design, try our Beam Calculator or Wood Beam Designer.


Data source: AISC Steel Construction Manual, 16th Edition. All dimensions in inches, areas in square inches, moments of inertia in in⁴, section moduli in in³. Values are for design reference — always verify against the current edition of the AISC Manual for final design.

FicientDesign Professional

Stop looking it up twice — run the numbers and keep the record.

This reference is free forever. When you need to actually calculate, document, and defend the result, do it in the app — then export a clean report you can hand to a reviewer.

  • ✓46 engineering calculators, unlimited
  • ✓Save & reload every calculation
  • ✓Organize work into project folders
  • ✓Branded, PE-stamped PDF reports

Free plan, no credit card. Upgrade only when it's paying for itself.