gonefishiing wrote:
refresh my memory:
i'm looking for the section modulus for a boom section to understand
allowable bending stress.
sx= bd(squared) ?

No, IIRC it's the integral of the solid cross section area distance from
the axis. That's why triangular sections have the greatest rigidty for
their cross section area, and square sections are more rigid than oval
or round.

I can refer you to a pretty good text book.

but this is for rectangular sections right?
how do you calculate this for an oval section?

Personally, I don't. I look it up! But this is also not foolproof, you'd
be amazed how many mfg'rs fudge their specs (or maybe they can't do math).

Hope this helps.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King