Parallel Flange Channels PFC
AS/NZS 3679.1Hot-rolled channels with parallel flanges, used for purlins, girts, lintels, stringers and bracing. Dimensions, section properties, AS 4100 capacities and free DXF drawings for all 10 sizes.
Parallel flange channels (PFC) replaced the older taper flange channel. The parallel flanges simplify bolted connections and make PFCs a good fit for purlins and girts in heavier construction, stringers, lintels, bracing, trailer chassis and built-up sections such as back-to-back channels. Because the shear centre lies outside the web, loads not applied through the shear centre cause twisting. Detail connections and restraints to suit.
Select any section in the table to open its page, with a dimensioned drawing, all section properties, AS 4100 capacities and a free DXF download for your CAD software.
| Designation | Mass kg/m | d mm | bf mm | tf mm | tw mm | Ag mm² | Ix 10⁶mm⁴ | Zx 10³mm³ | Sx 10³mm³ | Iy 10⁶mm⁴ | ry mm | J 10³mm⁴ | φMsx kNm | φNs kN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 380PFC | 55.2 | 380 | 100 | 17.5 | 10.0 | 7034 | 152 | 798 | 946 | 6.48 | 30.4 | 472 | 238.4 | 1773 |
| 300PFC | 40.1 | 300 | 90 | 16.0 | 8.0 | 5108 | 72.4 | 483 | 564 | 4.04 | 28.1 | 291 | 152.2 | 1379 |
| 250PFC | 35.5 | 250 | 90 | 15.0 | 8.0 | 4522 | 45.1 | 361 | 421 | 3.64 | 28.4 | 240 | 113.6 | 1221 |
| 230PFC | 25.1 | 230 | 75 | 12.0 | 6.5 | 3201 | 26.8 | 233 | 271 | 1.76 | 23.5 | 105 | 73.3 | 864 |
| 200PFC | 22.9 | 200 | 75 | 12.0 | 6.0 | 2918 | 19.1 | 191 | 221 | 1.66 | 23.8 | 99.1 | 59.7 | 788 |
| 180PFC | 20.9 | 180 | 75 | 11.0 | 6.0 | 2660 | 14.1 | 157 | 182 | 1.51 | 23.8 | 77.9 | 49.0 | 718 |
| 150PFC | 17.7 | 150 | 75 | 9.5 | 6.0 | 2254 | 8.34 | 111 | 129 | 1.29 | 23.9 | 52.3 | 37.0 | 649 |
| 125PFC | 11.9 | 125 | 65 | 7.5 | 4.7 | 1519 | 3.97 | 63.5 | 73.0 | 0.658 | 20.8 | 22.1 | 21.0 | 438 |
| 100PFC | 8.33 | 100 | 50 | 6.7 | 4.2 | 1061 | 1.74 | 34.7 | 40.3 | 0.267 | 15.9 | 12.2 | 11.6 | 306 |
| 75PFC | 5.92 | 75 | 40 | 6.1 | 3.8 | 754 | 0.683 | 18.2 | 21.4 | 0.120 | 12.6 | 7.20 | 6.2 | 217 |
Frequently asked questions
- Where is the shear centre of a PFC?
- Outside the back of the web, at distance xo from the web's outer face. Loads applied through the web, rather than the shear centre, induce twisting.
- PFC vs TFC?
- Parallel flange channels replaced taper flange channels in Australia. Their parallel flanges suit bolted connections.
Relevant Australian Standards
- AS/NZS 3679.1:2016 Structural steel – Part 1: Hot-rolled bars and sections
Specifies chemical composition, mechanical properties and tolerances for hot-rolled universal beams and columns, channels, angles, flats and bars in Grades 300 and 350. - AS 4100:2020 Steel structures
The Australian design Standard for steel members and connections. Covers section classification (Section 5), member moment capacity including lateral-torsional buckling (5.6), shear (5.11), axial compression (Section 6), tension (Section 7) and combined actions (Section 8). - AS/NZS 5131:2016 Structural steelwork – Fabrication and erection
Fabrication, erection, tolerances, inspection and construction categories (CC1–CC4) for structural steelwork. - AS/NZS 2312.1:2014 & 2312.2:2014 Guide to the protection of structural steel against atmospheric corrosion
Part 1 covers protective paint coatings and Part 2 hot-dip galvanizing; both use the external surface areas given on each section page.