85/3848–12FE Reference Handbook 10.6 · Statics · p. 97 Radius of gyration: rx = √(Ix/A), ry = √(Iy/A), rp = √(J/A)

Handbook formula

Radius of Gyration

p. 97 defines the radius of gyration by rx = √(Ix/A), ry = √(Iy/A), and rp = √(J/A). This lesson uses k for that same length. For the 100 mm × 300 mm rectangle the least centroidal value is about the weak axis.

(mm⁴)
Area moment of inertia
(mm²)
Area
(mm)
Radius of gyration

Step-by-step solved example

Rectangle 100 mm × 300 mm. Least k about a centroidal axis?

weak axisk300 mm100 mmk = √(Imin / A) = √(833.3)kmin = 28.9 mm ≈ 29 mmReplay
k = √(I/A) is the slenderness radius used in KL/k.
  1. 1. Weak I

    I_min=300×100³/12=25×10^6 mm⁴, A=30,000 mm².

  2. 2. k

    k = √(25×10^6 / 30000) = √833.33 = 28.87 mm, reported as ≈ 29 mm.

Answer: k_min ≈ 29 mm

10 practice questions

0/10 correct

1.k² equals

2.For a rectangle b×h, k about centroidal axis parallel to b is

3.Slenderness KL/r uses

4.Circle radius R: k about centroidal diameter is

5.Parallel-axis I = Ī + Ad² does not change the definition of

6.Units of k are

7.If A doubles and I doubles, k

8.Polar radius of gyration ko satisfies

9.A thin ring radius R about its center has k ≈

10.Least r of a W-shape is listed in