HSS14X10X3/8 Steel Rectangular HSS — Section Properties

Dimensions

Property Value Unit
Height (h) 14 355.6 mm
Width (w) 10 254.0 mm
Wall Thickness (t) 0.375 9.5 mm
Area (A) 16 in² 103.2 cm²
Weight 58.1 lb/ft 86.5 kg/m

Elastic Section Properties

Property Strong Axis (X-X) Weak Axis (Y-Y) Unit
Moment of Inertia (I) 447 267 in⁴
Elastic Section Modulus (S) 63.9 53.4 in³
Plastic Section Modulus (Z) 76.3 60.7 in³
Radius of Gyration (r) 5.29 4.09 in

Torsional Properties

Property Value Unit
Torsional Constant (J) 528 in⁴
Warping Constant (Cw) 0 in⁶

Section Profile Summary

The closed shape eliminates the weak-axis buckling concern that governs open sections. Torsional constant J = 528 in⁴ is typically an order of magnitude higher than a W-shape of similar weight, making HSS the go-to choice when torsion cannot be avoided.

Key Design Checks (AISC 360)

Check Formula This Section
Plastic moment Mp = Zx × Fy 3,815 kip-in
Deflection Δ = 5wL⁴/(384EIx) Use Ix = 447 in⁴
Torsion St. Venant = GJ/L J = 528 in⁴
Column buckling KL/r → Fcr r_x = 5.29 in

Design Notes

Verification (AISC 360): All designs using this section must be verified by a licensed Professional Engineer. Before finalizing member selection, check beam-column interaction (P-M), lateral-torsional buckling, serviceability deflections, and all connection limit states. See Engineering Disclaimer.

Worked Example: Column Capacity — hss14x10x3-8

Scenario: Braced frame diagonal in an industrial building Unbraced length L = 15 ft.

Given:

Step 1 — Slenderness ratio:

KL/r = 180 / 5.29 = 34

Step 2 — Determine critical stress Fcr (AISC 360 Chapter E):

Elastic buckling stress: Fe = π²E / (KL/r)² = π² × 29,000 / (34)² = 248 ksi

For HSS with KL/r ≤ 4.71√(E/Fy) = 4.71√(29,000/50) = 113.4:

If KL/r ≤ 113.4: Fcr = 0.658^(Fy/Fe) × Fy (inelastic buckling) If KL/r > 113.4: Fcr = 0.877Fe (elastic buckling)

Step 3 — Design compressive strength:

φPn = φ × Fcr × Ag = 0.9 × Fcr × 16 ≈ 720 kips (preliminary)

For a precise capacity accounting for local buckling and the exact KL/r value, use the Column Capacity Calculator with this section's properties.

Related Resources

Design Resources


Educational reference only. Verify all section properties against the current AISC 360 Manual and mill certificates before design. Results are PRELIMINARY — NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION.