Classification of cross sections

• A table of classification shows three distinct varieties

of cross section such as plastic, compact and semi
compact section.
• Section in which width to thickness ratio exceeds the
limits of semi compact section is known as slender
section. These sections are to be avoided.
• Slender section if at all used needs to ignore excess
area to arrive at effective cross section as semi
compact section.
• If two elements of cross section fall under two
different classifications then section is classified into
most unfavourable classification.
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