HSS20.000X0.750 Steel Round HSS — Section Properties

Dimensions

Property Value Unit
Outer Diameter (OD) 20 508.0 mm
Wall Thickness (t) 0.75 19.0 mm
Area (A) 42.3 in² 272.9 cm²
Weight 154.3 lb/ft 229.6 kg/m

Elastic Section Properties

Property Strong Axis (X-X) Weak Axis (Y-Y) Unit
Moment of Inertia (I) 1970 1970 in⁴
Elastic Section Modulus (S) 197 197 in³
Plastic Section Modulus (Z) 260 260 in³
Radius of Gyration (r) 6.83 6.83 in

Torsional Properties

Property Value Unit
Torsional Constant (J) 3940 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 = 3,940 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 13,000 kip-in
Deflection Δ = 5wL⁴/(384EIx) Use Ix = 1,970 in⁴
Torsion St. Venant = GJ/L J = 3,940 in⁴
Column buckling KL/r → Fcr r_x = 6.83 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 — hss20_000x0_750

Scenario: Wind column between windows in a curtain wall system Unbraced length L = 13 ft.

Given:

Step 1 — Slenderness ratio:

KL/r = 156 / 6.83 = 23

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

Elastic buckling stress: Fe = π²E / (KL/r)² = π² × 29,000 / (23)² = 541 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 × 42.3 ≈ 1,904 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.