Originally Posted by miljnor ignore everything else and the math is all about how much cross section in the direction of the load. Period!
I beams are designd for most of the load against the tall single part of the I. The more complex the shape the more complex the math. But it all boils down to cross section under the load. |
I do not like to disagree with such a vehement opinion
but in my humble opinion and phrasing it as respectfully as possible it is only half right. The stiffness of a beam depends on the product of the cross section and the distance, in the direction of the load, of each element of the cross section from the neutral axis.