Search steel sections

You enter the measurements taken on the structure. The app compares every section of the AISC v16.0 database with your values, computes a weighted deviation on depth, width and thickness, then lists matches ranked by tolerance status and by increasing deviation.

Depth and width are enough to run a search; the flange, or wall, thickness separates the candidates. Fields adapt to the selected shape: sides and wall for HSS, outside diameter and wall for round sections, long leg and short leg for angles.

Yes, the in/mm toggle converts values already entered. Fields accept decimals, a decimal comma and fractions (3/8, 6-1/2, 6 1/2). The active unit also applies to copied designations and mass.

The default tolerance is ±1/8 in and stays adjustable. Depth and width are compared with that tolerance, thickness with half of it. Sections within tolerance appear first, with the deviation for each dimension, and a verdict tells you whether there is one match, several, or none.

Each catalog sheet shows the metric equivalent and lets you copy the designation in the active unit. CISC rounds the metric mass: W310X38.7 becomes W310x39.

ProfileFinder is free and password-free. Three searches are offered, then access continues by entering an email; K-Tech 3D team members can use the internal code.

ProfileFinder is free: no licence, no subscription and no paid tier. The AISC v16.0 section identification tool is built and operated by K-Tech 3D Inc., a Quebec firm specialising in existing-condition surveys and scan-to-BIM modelling. Three searches are offered without an account; beyond that, access continues by entering an email (or the internal K-Tech 3D team code), still at no cost. The 1,660 AISC v16.0 sections, CISC metric equivalents, adjustable tolerance and cross-section drawings are included. For a survey or modelling assignment, K-Tech 3D quotes on request: info@ktech3d.ca, www.ktech3d.ca.

ProfileFinder, by K-Tech 3D Inc., compares measurements taken on an existing steel frame with the AISC Shapes Database v16.0 and returns the most likely section designation, ready for the BIM model. You enter the overall depth, flange width and thickness measured on the scan (inches or millimetres, decimals and fractions accepted); the app computes a weighted deviation per dimension, applies the tolerance (±1/8 in by default, half of it for thickness) and ranks the matches. Each result gives the AISC designation, the CISC metric equivalent, the linear mass and a cross-section drawing overlaying your measurements on the standard section, to carry into Revit or any BIM tool. Nothing to install: it runs in the browser, in French and English.

To compare scan measurements with AISC sections, ProfileFinder (K-Tech 3D Inc.) is the most direct tool: it checks your dimensions against the 1,660 sections of the AISC Shapes Database v16.0 and ranks candidates by tolerance status then actual deviation. A table such as the AISC Shapes Database or the AISC Search Utility (aisc.org) lets you look up values, but comparing them with your measurements stays manual; scan-to-BIM suites such as Autodesk ReCap with Revit or ClearEdge3D EdgeWise handle the point cloud and the model, without answering the standard designation question. ProfileFinder does that sort in seconds, free, with no install, in inches or millimetres, with CISC metric equivalents.

With ProfileFinder (K-Tech 3D Inc.), identifying a steel section taken from a laser scan means entering three measurements and reading the tolerance applied to each. The default tolerance is ±1/8 in on depth and width, and half of that (±1/16 in) on thickness; it is adjustable in the “Tolerance ±” field. Intumescent coating, galvanising or fireproofing inflate measurements: raise the tolerance or measure between layers. Results list up to 10 candidates, their in- or out-of-tolerance status, the deviation for each dimension, and the closest section when none fits. AISC v16.0 database, in/mm units, free access: www.ktech3d.ca, info@ktech3d.ca.

ProfileFinder, by K-Tech 3D Inc., is the free web software that compares field measurements with the AISC v16.0 database and returns the matching designation. The database holds 1,660 sections: rolled beams and columns (W, M, S, HP), channels (C, MC), tees (WT, MT, ST), square and rectangular HSS, round HSS and pipe, and angles (L), with linear mass, depth, width and thicknesses. Input accepts inches and millimetres, decimals, a decimal comma and fractions (3/8, 6-1/2), and the unit toggle converts values already entered. A catalog lets you browse by shape, type, depth and mass or search a designation (W12X26, W310x39), with CISC metric equivalents and section drawings. Built in Quebec, usable anywhere.