A member\'s stiffness is described by two different properties. The first property is the inherent strength of the material itself given by the Elastic modulus, E. The second property is related to the cross-sectional geometry of a member and it is called the Moment of Inertia, I. Combined together, EI describes the stiffness, that is the resistance to flexure or sagging, of a member. What I-beams do well is maximize the \"I\" term, so two members of identical material, that is the same E, but differing in their \"I\" will have different stiffnesses. I-beams are great for major axis bending, but not as good for minor axis bending. This is because the moment of inertia in the weak axis for I-beams is much smaller than their moment of inertia in the strong axis. An I-beam helps distribute the material in the beam\'s cross section in a way that enables the section to better resist deformation. This resistance to deformation is expressed by the equation: M/I=E/R=smax/ymax M is the bending moment which is causing the deformation in the beam, I is the moment of inertia (second moment of area), smax is the stress induced in the beam and ymax is the distance from the neutral axis of the beam section to the outermost fibre in the beam. (the furthest point in the beam from that point inside the cross section where there is no change along the beam\'s length, regardless of how much deflection has otherwise happened). E is the Young\'s modulus of the beam and R is the radius of curvature of the beam\'s neutral axis. Thus from above discussion the ans is (b)..The I section with moment of inertia Ix = 2000 in4 and Iy = 300 in4 have the greatest capacity. Solution A member\'s stiffness is described by two different properties. The first property is the inherent strength of the material itself given by the Elastic modulus, E. The second property is related to the cross-sectional geometry of a member and it is called the Moment of Inertia, I. Combined together, EI describes the stiffness, that is the resistance to flexure or sagging, of a member. What I-beams do well is maximize the \"I\" term, so two members of identical material, that is the same E, but differing in their \"I\" will have different stiffnesses. I-beams are great for major axis bending, but not as good for minor axis bending. This is because the moment of inertia in the weak axis for I-beams is much smaller than their moment of inertia in the strong axis. An I-beam helps distribute the material in the beam\'s cross section in a way that enables the section to better resist deformation. This resistance to deformation is expressed by the equation: M/I=E/R=smax/ymax M is the bending moment which is causing the deformation in the beam, I is the moment of inertia (second moment of area), smax is the stress induced in the beam and ymax is the distance from the neutral axis of the beam section to the outermost fibre in the beam. (the furthest point in the beam from that point inside the cross sectio.

1. A member's stiffness is described by two different properties. The first property is the inherent
strength of the material itself given by the Elastic modulus, E. The second property is related to
the cross-sectional geometry of a member and it is called the Moment of Inertia, I.
Combined together, EI describes the stiffness, that is the resistance to flexure or sagging, of a
member. What I-beams do well is maximize the "I" term, so two members of identical material,
that is the same E, but differing in their "I" will have different stiffnesses.
I-beams are great for major axis bending, but not as good for minor axis bending. This is because
the moment of inertia in the weak axis for I-beams is much smaller than their moment of inertia
in the strong axis.
An I-beam helps distribute the material in the beam's cross section in a way that enables the
section to better resist deformation. This resistance to deformation is expressed by the equation:
M/I=E/R=smax/ymax
M is the bending moment which is causing the deformation in the beam, I is the moment of
inertia (second moment of area), smax is the stress induced in the beam and ymax is the distance
from the neutral axis of the beam section to the outermost fibre in the beam. (the furthest point in
the beam from that point inside the cross section where there is no change along the beam's
length, regardless of how much deflection has otherwise happened). E is the Young's modulus
of the beam and R is the radius of curvature of the beam's neutral axis.
Thus from above discussion the ans is (b)..The I section with moment of inertia Ix = 2000 in4
and Iy = 300 in4 have the greatest capacity.
Solution
A member's stiffness is described by two different properties. The first property is the inherent
strength of the material itself given by the Elastic modulus, E. The second property is related to
the cross-sectional geometry of a member and it is called the Moment of Inertia, I.
Combined together, EI describes the stiffness, that is the resistance to flexure or sagging, of a
member. What I-beams do well is maximize the "I" term, so two members of identical material,
that is the same E, but differing in their "I" will have different stiffnesses.
I-beams are great for major axis bending, but not as good for minor axis bending. This is because
the moment of inertia in the weak axis for I-beams is much smaller than their moment of inertia
in the strong axis.
An I-beam helps distribute the material in the beam's cross section in a way that enables the

2. section to better resist deformation. This resistance to deformation is expressed by the equation:
M/I=E/R=smax/ymax
M is the bending moment which is causing the deformation in the beam, I is the moment of
inertia (second moment of area), smax is the stress induced in the beam and ymax is the distance
from the neutral axis of the beam section to the outermost fibre in the beam. (the furthest point in
the beam from that point inside the cross section where there is no change along the beam's
length, regardless of how much deflection has otherwise happened). E is the Young's modulus
of the beam and R is the radius of curvature of the beam's neutral axis.
Thus from above discussion the ans is (b)..The I section with moment of inertia Ix = 2000 in4
and Iy = 300 in4 have the greatest capacity.