When referring to a member's shape, we usually refer to its cross-sectional shape - is it a rectangle? A square? Or a circle? There is no limitation when we create a cross-section:
There are several essential properties when discussing the member's shape.
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Symmetry is a measure of how similar something is to an axis.
When a shape is said to be symmetric, we can place a line to split the section into two mirrored parts. A perfect example is a circle. Let the axes of this shape originate at its center. If we fold it along any of its axes, we will have two mirrored half-circles.
On the other hand, a shape is asymmetric if a line fails to split the cross-section into mirrored parts. A great example is a scalene triangle - no matter what orientation we place the axes of the cross-section, we won't find a position that will divide it into mirrored parts.
It is noteworthy that shapes can be symmetric and, at the same time, the opposite. Let's take a T-member and consider its cross-section. When we fold along the \(y\)-axis, we can say that it's symmetric; however, when we fold along the \(x\)-axis, it's asymmetric.
One can build the shape of a structural member with multiple combined members. For example, one can combine a single steel angle bar with another to create a double back-to-back angle bar. A shape built this way is a built-up section.
There are many reasons these sections are preferred: to increase a member's strength or for cost-control.
The shape of the member refers to the cut surface of its cross-section.
Symmetry is a measure of how similar something is to an axis.
The shape of the cross-section can be symmetric or asymmetric. A cross-section is the former if we can place a line to split it into two mirrored parts. Otherwise, it is the latter.
The shape of a member can either be single or built up.
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