Hollow Structural Section

Overview of Hollow Structural Section

When you think of robust, efficient, and versatile steel products, Hollow Structural Sections (HSS) should be at the forefront. Hollow Structural Section, also known as hollow section or tube, refers to the high-strength welded steel tubing used as structural elements in buildings and other structures and a variety of manufactured products.

HSS, available in circular, rectangular, or square cross-sections, are rapidly gaining traction in the global building industry. In fact, in the United States alone, they account for about 18% of the structural steel market. Whether you’re eyeing architecturally exposed structural steel, truss structures, or basic vertical bracing elements, HSS stands out as a top choice. Their adaptability extends beyond construction; they’re also ideal for scaffolding, bridges, staircases, furniture designs, and more.

With an impressive strength-to-weight ratio, economic benefits, and simplicity compared to other steel products, HSS promises to revolutionize your construction and design projects, delivering both functionality and aesthetic appeal. As a go-to choice in various industries, HSS provides durable and reliable solutions for a multitude of applications.

Available Sizes of Hollow Structural Section

HSS offers you a comprehensive range of shapes and sizes, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your project. Whether you’re in need of circular hollow sections (CHS), rectangular hollow sections (RHS), or square hollow sections (SHS), there’s a variant tailored to your requirements.

Some HSS products adhere to A1085 standards, ensuring enhanced weathering performance and longevity in various environmental conditions. Some adhere to American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) standards to ensure the quality and reliability of HSS.

Square HSS:

Range: 20mm*20mm-400mm*400mm
Thickness:1.5mm-12.5mm

Rectangular HSS:

Width:25mm-300mm
Height:50mm-500mm

Circular HSS:

Diameter: Common sizes range from 0.5 inches up to 24 inches.
Wall Thickness: Usually ranges from 0.065 inches to 0.500 inches.

Each type boasts its unique benefits, properties, and purposes. For instance, CHS is renowned for its clean lines and smoothness, while RHS offers a sleek form and clean shape, making it structurally sound for certain applications. SHS, on the other hand, strikes a balance between strength, functionality, and aesthetic appeal. If your desired size or shape isn’t readily available, rest assured that HSS can be effortlessly cut and modified to your exact specifications, ensuring you never have to compromise on your vision.

Sizes	Weight	Height	Width	W. T.
Sizes	[kg/m]	[mm]	[mm]	[mm]
20 x 20 x 2 SHS	1.1	20	20	2
20 x 20 x 2.5 SHS	1.3	20	20	2.5
25 x 25 x 2 SHS	14	25	25	2
25 x 25 x 2.5 SHS	1.7	25	25	2.5
25 x 25 x 3 SHS	2	25	25	3
30 x 30 x 2 SHS	1.7	30	30	2
30 x 30 x 2.5 SHS	2.1	30	30	2.5
30 x 30 x 3 SHS	2.5	30	30	3
40 x 40 x 2.5 SHS	2.9	40	40	2.5
40 x 40 x 3 SHS	3.4	40	40	3
40 x 40 x 3.2 SHS	3.6	40	40	3.2
40 x 40 x 3.6 SHS	4	40	40	3.6
40 x 40 x 4 SHS	4.4	40	40	4
40 x 40 x 5 SHS	5.3	40	40	5
50 x 50 x 2.5 SHS	3.7	50	50	2.5
50 x 50 x 3 SHS	4.4	50	50	3
50 x 50 x 3.2 SHS	4.6	50	50	3.2
50 x 50 x 3.6 SHS	5.1	50	50	3.6
50 x 50 x 4 SHS	5.6	50	50	4
50 x 50 x 5 SHS	6.9	50	50	5
50 x 50 x 6 SHS	8	50	50	6
50 x 50 x 6.3 SHS	8.3	50	50	6.3
60 x 60 x 2.5 SHS	4.5	60	60	2.5
60 x 60 x 3 SHS	5.3	60	60	3
60 x 60 x 3.2 SHS	5.6	60	60	3.2
60 x 60 x 3.6 SHS	6.3	60	60	3.6
60 x 60 x 4 SHS	6.9	60	60	4
60 x 60 x 5 SHS	8.4	60	60	5
60 x 60 x 6 SHS	9.9	60	60	6
60 x 60 x 6.3 SHS	10.3	60	60	6.3
60 x 60 x 8 SHS	12.5	60	60	8
70 x 70 x 3 SHS	6.2	70	70	3
70 x 70 x 3.2 SHS	6.6	70	70	3.2
70 x 70 x 3.6 SHS	7.4	70	70	3.6
70 x 70 x 4 SHS	8.2	70	70	4
70 x 70 x 5 SHS	10	70	70	5
70 x 70 x 6 SHS	11.8	70	70	6
70 x 70 x 6.3 SHS	12.3	70	70	6.3
70 x 70 x 8 SHS	15	70	70	8
80 x 80 x 3 SHS	7.2	80	80	3
80 x 80 x 3.2 SHS	7.6	80	80	3.2
80 x 80 x 3.6 SHS	8.5	80	80	3.6
80 x 80 x 4 SHS	9.4	80	80	4
80 x 80 x 5 SHS	11.6	80	80	5
80 x 80 x 6 SHS	13.6	80	80	6
80 x 80 x 6.3 SHS	14.2	80	80	6.3
80 x 80 x 8 SHS	17.8	80	80	8
90 x 90 x 5 SHS	13.1	90	90	5
90 x 90 x 6 SHS	15.5	90	90	6
90 x 90 x 6.3 SHS	16.2	90	90	6.3
90 x 90 x 8 SHS	20.1	90	90	8
100 x 100 x 3.6 SHS	10.8	100	100	3.6
100 x 100 x 4 SHS	11.9	100	100	4
100 x 100 x 5 SHS	14.7	100	100	5
100 x 100 x 6 SHS	17.4	100	100	6
100 x 100 x 6.3 SHS	18.2	100	100	6.3
100 x 100 x 8 SHS	22.6	100	100	8
100 x 100 x 10 SHS	27.4	100	100	10
120 x 120 x 4 SHS	14.4	120	120	4
120 x 120 x 5 SHS	18	120	120	5
120 x 120 x 6 SHS	21.2	120	120	6
120 x 120 x 6.3 SHS	22.2	120	120	6.3
120 x 120 x 8 SHS	27.6	120	120	8
120 x 120 x 10 SHS	33.7	120	120	10
120 x 120 x 12 SHS	39.5	120	120	12
120 x 120 x 12.5 SHS	40.9	120	120	12.5
140 x 140 x 5 SHS	21	140	140	5
140 x 140 x 6 SHS	24.9	140	140	6
140 x 140 x 6.3 SHS	26.1	140	140	6.3
140 x 140 x 8 SHS	32.6	140	140	8
140 x 140 x 10 SHS	40	140	140	10
140 x 140 x 12 SHS	47	140	140	12
140 x 140 x 12.5 SHS	48.7	140	140	12.5
150 x 150 x 5 SHS	22.6	150	150	5
150 x 150 x 6 SHS	26.8	150	150	6
150 x 150 x 6.3 SHS	28.1	150	150	6.3
150 x 150 x 8 SHS	35.1	150	150	8
150 x 150 x 10 SHS	43.1	150	150	10
150 x 150 x 12 SHS	50.8	150	150	12
150 x 150 x 12.5 SHS	52.7	150	150	12.5
150 x 150 x 16 SHS	65.2	150	150	16
160 x 160 x 5 SHS	24.1	160	160	5
160 x 160 x 6 SHS	28.7	160	160	6
160 x 160 x 6.3 SHS	30.1	160	160	6.3
160 x 160 x 8 SHS	37.6	160	160	8
160 x 160 x 10 SHS	46.3	160	160	10
160 x 160 x 12 SHS	54.6	160	160	12
160 x 160 x 12.5 SHS	56.6	160	160	12.5
160 x 160 x 16 SHS	70.2	160	160	16
180 x 180 x 5 SHS	27.3	180	180	5
180 x 180 x 6 SHS	32.5	180	180	6
180 x 180 x 6.3 SHS	34	180	180	6.3
180 x 180 x 8 SHS	42.7	180	180	8
180 x 180 x 10 SHS	52.5	180	180	10
180 x 180 x 12 SHS	62.1	180	180	12
180 x 180 x 12.5 SHS	64.4	180	180	12.5
180 x 180 x 16 SHS	80.2	180	180	16
200 x 200 x 5 SHS	30.4	200	200	5
200 x 200 x 6 SHS	36.2	200	200	6
200 x 200 x 6.3 SHS	38	200	200	6.3
200 x 200 x 8 SHS	47.7	200	200	8
200 x 200 x 10 SHS	58.8	200	200	10
200 x 200 x 12 SHS	69.6	200	200	12
200 x 200 x 12.5 SHS	72.3	200	200	12.5
200 x 200 x 16 SHS	90.3	200	200	16
220 x 220 x 6 SHS	40	220	220	6
220 x 220 x 6.3 SHS	41.9	220	220	6.3
220 x 220 x 8 SHS	52.7	220	220	8
220 x 220 x 10 SHS	65.1	220	220	10
220 x 220 x 12 SHS	77.2	220	220	12
220 x 220 x 12.5 SHS	80.1	220	220	12.5
220 x 220 x 16 SHS	100	220	220	16
250 x 250 x 5 SHS	38.3	250	250	5
250 x 250 x 6 SHS	45.7	250	250	6
250 x 250 x 6.3 SHS	47.9	250	250	6.3
250 x 250 x 8 SHS	60.3	250	250	8
250 x 250 x 10 SHS	74.5	250	250	10
250 x 250 x 12 SHS	88.5	250	250	12
250 x 250 x 12.5 SHS	91.9	250	250	12.5
250 x 250 x 16 SHS	115	250	250	16
260 x 260 x 6 SHS	47.6	260	260	6
260 x 260 x 6.3 SHS	49.9	260	260	6.3
260 x 260 x 8 SHS	62.8	260	260	8
260 x 260 x 10 SHS	77.7	260	260	10
260 x 260 x 12 SHS	92.2	260	260	12
260 x 260 x 12.5 SHS	95.8	260	260	12.5
260 x 260 x 16 SHS	120	260	260	16
300 x 300 x 6 SHS	55.1	300	300	6
300 x 300 x 6.3 SHS	57.8	300	300	6.3
300 x 300 x 8 SHS	72.8	300	300	8
300 x 300 x 10 SHS	90.2	300	300	10
300 x 300 x 12 SHS	107	300	300	12
300 x 300 x 12.5 SHS	112	300	300	12.5
300 x 300 x 16 SHS	141	300	300	16
350 x 350 x 8 SHS	85.4	350	350	8
350 x 350 x 10 SHS	106	350	350	10
350 x 350 x 12 SHS	126	350	350	12
350 x 350 x 12.5 SHS	131	350	350	12.5
350 x 350 x 16 SHS	166	350	350	16
400 x 400 x 8 SHS	97.9	400	400	8
400 x 400 x 10 SHS	122	400	400	10
400 x 400 x 12 SHS	145	400	400	12
400 x 400 x 12.5 SHS	151	400	400	12.5
400 x 400 x 16 SHS	191	400	400	16
400 x 400 x 20 SHS	235	400	400	20

Typical Production Standards of Hollow Structural Section

Our HSS sections conform to the following globally recognized specifications:

ASTM Standards

ASTM A500: This standard covers cold-formed welded and seamless carbon steel structural tubing in round, square, and rectangular shapes. It specifies the chemical composition, mechanical properties, dimensions, and tolerances for HSS.
ASTM A501: This standard covers hot-formed welded and seamless carbon steel structural tubing. It is less common than A500 but provides guidelines for similar properties and applications.
ASTM A1085: This standard provides specifications for cold-formed welded carbon steel hollow structural sections for improved performance in seismic and other demanding applications. It has tighter tolerances and enhanced strength and ductility requirements compared to ASTM A500.

EN Standards (European Standards)

EN 10210-1 & EN 10210-2: These standards cover hot finished structural hollow sections of non-alloy and fine grain steels. They specify requirements for hot-formed HSS, including chemical composition, mechanical properties, and dimensional tolerances.
EN 10219-1 & EN 10219-2: These standards cover cold-formed welded structural hollow sections of non-alloy and fine grain steels. They outline specifications for cold-formed HSS, including the manufacturing process, mechanical properties, and dimensions.

JIS Standards (Japanese Standards)

JIS G 3466: This standard covers carbon steel square and rectangular tubes for general structural purposes. It specifies the manufacturing process, chemical composition, mechanical properties, and dimensions for HSS.

HSS Tube Steel Sizes and Shapes

The primary shapes of HSS include square, rectangular, and circular sections.

Square HSS

Width/Height: 1″ x 1″ to 16″ x 16″
Wall Thickness: 0.065″ (1.65 mm) to 0.625″ (15.88 mm)

Rectangular HSS

Width: 2″ to 20″
Height: 1″ to 12″
Wall Thickness: 0.065″ (1.65 mm) to 0.625″ (15.88 mm)

Circular HSS

Outside Diameter (OD): 0.84″ to 24″
Wall Thickness: 0.065″ (1.65 mm) to 0.500″ (12.7 mm)

HSS Steel for Construction

Hollow Structural Sections (HSS) are widely used in construction due to their versatile shapes, high strength-to-weight ratio, and aesthetic appeal.

Buildings: Used in columns, beams, and frames for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. The high strength and aesthetic appeal of HSS make it a popular choice for modern architectural designs.
Bridges: Employed in trusses, girders, and supports in bridge construction. The high strength-to-weight ratio and durability of HSS are advantageous in bridge engineering.
Infrastructure: Utilized in various infrastructure projects such as sign supports, guardrails, and pipelines. HSS provides the necessary strength and durability for these applications.

Benefits of Hollow Structural Sections (HSS)

Hollow Structural Sections (HSS) offer numerous benefits in construction and structural engineering, making them a popular choice for various applications.

1. High Strength-to-Weight Ratio

HSS provides excellent strength while being relatively lightweight compared to solid sections. This efficiency reduces the overall weight of structures, which can lower construction costs and foundation requirements.

2. Structural Efficiency

The closed shape of HSS provides uniform strength in all directions, making them highly efficient for resisting bending, torsion, and axial loads. This uniformity is particularly beneficial in columns and beams subjected to multi-directional forces.

3. Aesthetic Appeal

HSS has a clean, smooth appearance that is often preferred in architectural designs. They can be easily incorporated into exposed structures, providing an aesthetically pleasing and modern look.

4. Versatility in Design

HSS comes in various shapes (square, rectangular, circular, elliptical) and sizes, allowing for a wide range of design possibilities. This versatility helps architects and engineers achieve both functional and creative design objectives.

5. Ease of Fabrication

HSS can be easily cut, welded, and connected, facilitating efficient fabrication and assembly. This ease of handling can lead to faster construction times and reduced labor costs.

6. Durability and Longevity

The enclosed shape of HSS provides better resistance to environmental factors such as corrosion and weathering compared to open sections. This durability extends the lifespan of structures and reduces maintenance needs.

7. Improved Buckling Resistance

The closed section of HSS enhances its resistance to buckling under compression loads, making them ideal for use as columns and other load-bearing members in structures.

8. Reduced Surface Area

HSS has a smaller surface area compared to equivalent open sections, which can reduce the amount of protective coating needed for corrosion resistance. This reduction can lead to cost savings in materials and maintenance.

How to Select the Right Hollow Structural Section

Selecting the right HSS for your project can seem daunting, but with our guidance, it becomes a seamless process. Begin by understanding the specific requirements of your project. Are you looking for strength, aesthetic appeal, or perhaps both? For projects requiring extensive joining and welding, RHS might be your best bet due to its flat surfaces. If you’re aiming for a balance between strength and visual appeal, consider the SHS. Remember, the key is to match the HSS’s properties with your project’s needs. Consider factors like the environment it will be used in, potential weight loads, and desired lifespan. With UNIACERO by your side, you’re not just purchasing steel; you’re investing in a partnership that prioritizes your success. We’re here to ensure you benefit from the unmatched versatility, efficiency, and beauty that HSS brings to the table.

HSS Steel Custom Solutions from UNIACERO

UNIACERO provides customized HSS products to meet specific project requirements, and all products meet or exceed industry standards such as ASTM, EN, and ISO, ensuring reliability and quality.

Custom Sizes and Shapes:

Shapes: UNIACERO can produce HSS in various shapes, including square, rectangular, and circular sections.
Sizes: We offer flexibility in dimensions to match project specifications, catering to unique structural needs.

Material Options:

Steel Grades: UNIACERO provides HSS in different steel grades, depending on the required mechanical properties and applications. This includes high-strength and corrosion-resistant steels.
Finishes: Custom finishes are available to enhance durability and appearance, including galvanized, painted, or coated surfaces.

Fabrication and Processing Services:

Cutting and Welding: Precise cutting and welding services to ensure the HSS fits perfectly within the structural framework.
Drilling and Punching: Custom drilling and punching for connection points, simplifying on-site assembly.
Bending and Forming: Advanced bending and forming capabilities for creating complex shapes and curved sections.

Engineering Support:

Design Assistance: UNIACERO provides engineering support to help design efficient and cost-effective HSS solutions. This includes structural analysis and optimization to ensure safety and performance.
Custom Specifications: Tailored solutions based on detailed project requirements, including load calculations, environmental conditions, and specific design criteria.

Common Industry Applications

Construction Industry: HSS has high strength characteristics that can effectively support heavy loads in large building structures, ensuring stability and safety.
Oil and Gas: In the oil and gas industry, HSS’s combination of strength, durability, corrosion resistance, and fabrication flexibility makes it a valuable material for various critical applications.
Automotive Transport: HSS’s combination of strength, lightweight properties, which is crucial for automotive applications where both strength and weight reduction are important.
Mechanical Industry: In the mechanical industry, Hollow Structural Sections (HSS) are used extensively due to their strength, versatility, and ease of fabrication.
Energy: In the energy industry, the ability of HSS to withstand harsh conditions and provide reliable performance is key to its wide use in this sector.
Machining: HSS provides robust support structures for heavy machinery and equipment, ensuring stability and precision during machining operations.