What is the section modulus of HSS3-1/2X1-1/2X1/4?

Sx = 1.46 inÃÂÃÂ³, Zx = 1.98 inÃÂÃÂ³ (strong axis). Sy = 0.851 inÃÂÃÂ³, Zy = 1.06 inÃÂÃÂ³ (weak axis).

What steel grade is standard for HSS3-1/2X1-1/2X1/4?

ASTM A500 Grade C (Fy = 50 ksi) or Grade B (Fy = 46 ksi). Verify with mill certificate.

What is the moment of inertia of HSS3-1/2X1-1/2X1/4?

Ix = 2.55 inÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ´ about the strong axis and Iy = 0.638 inÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ´ about the weak axis. The radius of gyration is rx = 1.14 in and ry = 0.569 in.

HSS3-1/2X1-1/2X1/4 Steel Rectangular HSS — Section Properties

Dimensions

Property	Value	Unit
Height (h)	3.5	88.9 mm
Width (w)	1.5	38.1 mm
Wall Thickness (t)	0.25	6.3 mm
Area (A)	1.97 in²	12.7 cmÃÂÃÂ²
Weight	7.11 lb/ft	10.6 kg/m

Elastic Section Properties

Property	Strong Axis (X-X)	Weak Axis (Y-Y)	Unit
Moment of Inertia (I)	2.55	0.638	in⁴
Elastic Section Modulus (S)	1.46	0.851	in³
Plastic Section Modulus (Z)	1.98	1.06	in³
Radius of Gyration (r)	1.14	0.569	in

Torsional Properties

Property	Value	Unit
Torsional Constant (J)	1.79	in⁴
Warping Constant (Cw)	0	in⁶

Section Profile Summary

HSS provides uniform strength in all directions — efficient for columns, bracing, and torsion-critical applications. At 7.11 lb/ft, this section is a practical choice for bracing, secondary columns, and architectural exposed steel.

Key Design Checks (AISC 360)

Check	Formula	This Section
Plastic moment	Mp = Zx × Fy	99 kip-in
Deflection	Δ = 5wLÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ´/(384EIx)	Use Ix = 2.55 in⁴
Torsion	St. Venant = GJ/L	J = 1.79 in⁴
Column buckling	KL/r ÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ Fcr	r_x = 1.14 in

Design Notes

Wall slenderness: b/t limits per AISC 360 Table B4.1a define compact, noncompact, and slender classifications. Round HSS use D/t limits.
HSS connection design: Welded connections to HSS walls must check chord plastification, punching shear, and sidewall yielding per AISC 360 Chapter K. Through-bolting requires reinforcing sleeves or plate washers.
Concrete-filled HSS: For composite column applications, filling the HSS with concrete increases axial capacity and fire resistance. Composite design follows AISC 360 Chapter I.

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 — hss3-1-2x1-1-2x1-4

Scenario: Transfer column supporting two floors above a lobby Unbraced length L = 8 ft.

Given:

hss3-1-2x1-1-2x1-4: Ag = 1.97 in²
r_min = 1.14 in (governing radius of gyration)
Steel: ASTM A500 Gr. C, Fy = 50 ksi, E = 29,000 ksi
Effective length factor K = 2.0 (cantilever, K=2.0 for design)

Step 1 — Slenderness ratio:

KL/r = 96 / 1.14 = 84

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

Elastic buckling stress: Fe = ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ²E / (KL/r)ÃÂÃÂ² = ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ² × 29,000 / (84)ÃÂÃÂ² = 41 ksi

For HSS with KL/r ÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ¤ 4.71ÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ(E/Fy) = 4.71ÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ(29,000/50) = 113.4:

If KL/r ÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ¤ 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 × 1.97 ÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ 89 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

Section Properties Lookup — Compare with similar sections
Steel Beam Sizes Reference — Standard beam dimensions

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