Read the section and choose the property
Connect a cross-section to its beam, choose the bending axis and keep units consistent.
You produce An axis choice, a rotation comparison and two checked unit/scaling calculations.
View lesson →Online CPD / PDH learning for engineers
Beam Section Properties Continuing Education Course
Calculate, interpret and verify the properties behind a beam model. Start with a section sketch; finish with a checked calculation and a clear review decision.
- 8 applied modules
- Written & self-paced
- Worked answers & feedback
Locate the centroid. Check both edges.
A plan built around doing the work
Estimated learning time: four hours.
The course has a 240-minute learning plan, including the assessment. Read a physical explanation, follow a worked example, solve a variation and check your reasoning. The time includes calculations, not just reading.
The four-hour estimate reflects the planned activities and has not been validated by timed learner trials. Your pace will depend on experience. Record your actual engaged study time, including offline calculations and excluding breaks. Optional reference reading is outside this plan.
What is included in the four hours?
- Explanations, examples & review brief
- 91 min
- Guided practice & independent review
- 108 min
- Seven module checks & final assessment
- 41 min
- Total estimated workload
- 240 min
The syllabus breaks the plan down by module. Your workbook keeps planned time separate from the time you actually report. Read the complete syllabus →
Keep the reasoning behind your results
Your calculations.
Your review. Your learning record.
Build a record you can revisit: geometry, axes, units, calculations and a review decision. Complete eight calculation records, seven module checks and the final assessment at 80% or higher to receive your completion certificate.
- 01 Your calculation workbook
- Eight activity records with numerical results, selected answers, feedback and personal notes. A reusable review template helps you document assumptions and unresolved checks.
- 02 Syllabus & actual-time log
- Retain the learning objectives, module outline and time you report. The four-hour estimate is kept separate from your actual recorded time.
- 03 Personalized completion certificate
- Your name, course, completion date, assessment result and unique verification link. Print it or save it with your supporting records.
Certificate previewSample · not issued
Certificate of completion
Professional Engineering
Continuing Education
This certifies that
Your name
has completed the course requirements and assessment for
Beam Section Properties
4.0 hoursEstimated learning time
OB-CE-SECT-101 · Version 1.0
Tamer Hijjawi, P.Eng.Instructor · Optimal Beam Inc.
Your completion dateUnique certificate ID & verification link
Your issued certificate also shows your assessment result and recorded study time. CPD / PDH acceptance is determined by your regulator.
From a sketch to a checked decision
Understand the property.
Then put it to work.
Start with a rectangle. Build up to unequal flanges, an offset opening and an angle. Each new idea adds a calculation or a check you will use in the final section review.
Your final review assignment
Two section depths. One beam.
A 6 m simply supported beam · 8 kN/m fixed total load · 300 mm and 360 mm deep built-up I-sections.
Correct a flawed report and compare the two options against supplied area, depth and deflection criteria. Explain the remaining checks before either could be used in a real design.
- 01
Define the geometry
Sketch the parts, choose an origin and bending axis, and predict where the centroid should lie.
- 02
Calculate and check
Find area, centroid, inertia and both elastic moduli. Use the correct inertia and units in the deflection comparison.
- 03
Make a limited decision
Correct the report’s assumptions, identify the option that meets the supplied criteria and record what still needs checking.
A good fit if you…
Calculate section properties or review beam inputs and know algebra, unit conversion and the meaning of force, bending moment and elastic modulus. Suitable for engineers, EITs, designers and advanced students. Beam Analysis is helpful but is not a prerequisite.
What you will need
A calculator, paper and time to work through the examples. Written lessons, illustrations and supplied formulas support every required activity. Software comparisons are optional; no subscription is required.
The eight-module curriculum
Learn the fundamentals.
Build a repeatable review method.
Each lesson connects a physical picture to a calculation and a practical check. Seven sets of three understanding checks lead into the independent capstone and 20-question assessment. Module times are estimates and total four hours.
20 min
Area, centroid and openings
Break a section into parts, subtract an opening and locate the area centroid.
You produce A signed-area calculation and both centroid coordinates for an offset opening.
View lesson →Second moment of area
Calculate how material distribution and axis position change bending properties.
You produce Two centroidal inertias and a radius of gyration, with the opening correctly subtracted.
View lesson →Elastic modulus, stress and stiffness
Use the correct extreme-fibre distances and distinguish a stress check from a deflection check.
You produce Separate top and bottom elastic moduli and stresses for an unequal-flange section.
View lesson →Plastic axis and plastic modulus
Balance the yielded areas, split a crossing component and calculate its plastic modulus.
You produce A T-section area, elastic centroid, plastic axis and plastic modulus.
View lesson →Unsymmetric sections and principal axes
Read product of inertia and principal directions before trusting a bending calculation.
You produce A principal-inertia check and a reasoned response to an unsuitable bending calculation.
View lesson →Shear and torsion properties
Interpret Q, shear area, J, warping and shear centre without confusing their meanings.
You produce A first moment, an elementary shear-stress check and a distinction between polar inertia and torsion constant.
View lesson →Verify a section and make a decision
Reconcile a flawed report, compare two section depths and complete the applied assessment.
You produce A corrected report, a two-section comparison, a review decision and the applied assessment.
View lesson →Read or print the complete syllabus →Eight calculation records · Worked answers · Independent review
Canada & United States
CPD and PDH eligibility for professional engineers.
This is code-neutral technical education. Course completion does not establish project-specific member, stability or connection adequacy. Confirm the subject, format and provider requirements with your regulator before purchasing for renewal credit.
Check eligibility before purchasing for renewal
Continuing-education eligibility, reportable hours and documentation requirements vary by jurisdiction. Confirm suitability with your licensing regulator before purchasing for renewal purposes.
No regulatory approval or endorsement is claimed unless expressly stated. Where required provider or course approval is absent, this course is offered for educational use and is not represented as qualifying renewal credit.
This course does not replace mandatory ethics or regulator-specific training. Keep your syllabus, saved calculation records, completion certificate and actual-time log.
Standalone course access
Build your understanding.
Keep your calculation record.
For $99 USD, work through eight illustrated lessons, practise the calculations and complete an independent section review. Keep your saved work and earn a certificate after successful completion.
- Eight illustrated lessons and saved calculation records
- Worked answers, guided practice and understanding checks
- Independent section review and 20-question assessment
- Printable syllabus, review workbook and study-time record
One-time payment with no software subscription. Read the access, refund and support terms →
Before you start
Course, learning-time and enrollment questions.
Have a question or found an error? Contact us.
How do I enroll?
Preview the first lesson without an account. For full access, create or sign in to a free Optimal Beam account, review the US$99 one-time price and complete secure Stripe checkout. The course then appears in My Courses.
How is the four-hour estimate calculated?
The 240-minute plan includes 91 minutes of explanations and review briefing, 108 minutes of practice, and 41 minutes of checks and assessment. It is an estimated workload, not measured attendance or guaranteed credit. Your pace depends on prior knowledge; record your actual engaged time and exclude breaks. Optional reference reading is outside this plan.
What should I know before starting?
Bring algebra, unit conversion and a basic understanding of force, bending moment and elastic modulus. The required exercises use arithmetic and supplied formulas. The Beam Analysis course is helpful but is not a prerequisite.
Do I need an Optimal Beam software subscription?
No. A calculator, paper and the course are enough for every required exercise. The section and beam tools are optional comparisons. The lessons explain how to check axes, units, geometry and the limits of a tool result.
How do the activities and assessment work?
Work through eight calculation records and seven sets of three understanding checks. Worked answers and feedback help you correct mistakes. After all eight records are submitted and the earlier modules are complete, take the 20-question assessment. The pass mark is 80%; feedback and retakes support further learning.
Is this a complete structural design course?
It teaches section-property calculation, interpretation and verification. It covers elastic and ideal plastic properties, principal axes, elementary shear and the meaning of torsion outputs. It does not establish project-specific strength, stability, connection adequacy or compliance with a material design code.
What is the price?
US$99 as a one-time purchase. No recurring software subscription is required. The price includes all eight modules, guided calculations, assessment retakes, your workbook and a completion certificate after meeting the requirements.
What completion records will I receive?
Submit all eight calculation records and the seven module checks, then pass the final assessment at 80% or higher. Keep your numbered completion certificate, saved calculation workbook, syllabus and actual study-time log. CPD or PDH acceptance depends on your regulator.