What is Uk Hss Section Properties used for in structural engineering?

Uk Hss Section Properties provides values required for steel design calculations including capacity checks, connection design, and detailing. It is referenced in structural design codes and used by practicing engineers during the design of buildings, bridges, and industrial structures.

Can I use these reference values directly in my design?

Yes, provided the values match your governing code edition and project specifications. Always cross-reference against the primary source (code document, manufacturer data, or published standard). The information on this page is for educational use — final verification by a licensed engineer is required.

How often are these reference values updated?

Reference content is maintained to align with current code editions. When a new edition of AISC 360, AS 4100, EN 1993, or CSA S16 is published, values are reviewed and updated. Check the last-modified date at the bottom of the page and verify against the current edition for your jurisdiction.

Uk Hss Section Properties | Steel Calculator

UK Metric HSS — Section Property Conventions

Hollow structural sections in the UK are manufactured to BS EN 10210-1 (hot-finished) and BS EN 10219-1 (cold-formed). Both are available in S275 and S355 steel grades.

CHS — Circular Hollow Sections (OD ÃÂÃÂ t)
RHS — Rectangular Hollow Sections (h ÃÂÃÂ b ÃÂÃÂ t)
SHS — Square Hollow Sections (b ÃÂÃÂ b ÃÂÃÂ t)

CHS Section Properties (Hot-Finished, S355)

Designation	OD (mm)	t (mm)	A (cmÃÂÃÂ²)	I (cmÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ´)	Wel (cmÃÂÃÂ³)	Wpl (cmÃÂÃÂ³)	i (cm)	It (cmÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ´)	Mass (kg/m)
CHS 48.3ÃÂÃÂ4	48.3	4.0	5.56	14.3	5.9	7.8	1.61	28.6	4.37
CHS 60.3ÃÂÃÂ4	60.3	4.0	7.07	29.1	9.7	12.9	2.03	58.2	5.55
CHS 76.1ÃÂÃÂ4	76.1	4.0	9.06	59.1	15.5	20.6	2.56	118.2	7.11
CHS 88.9ÃÂÃÂ5	88.9	5.0	13.2	118	26.5	35.1	2.99	236	10.4
CHS 114.3ÃÂÃÂ5	114.3	5.0	17.2	257	44.9	60.0	3.87	514	13.5
CHS 139.7ÃÂÃÂ6	139.7	6.0	25.1	575	82.4	110	4.78	1,150	19.7
CHS 168.3ÃÂÃÂ6	168.3	6.0	30.6	1,026	122	163	5.79	2,052	24.0
CHS 193.7ÃÂÃÂ8	193.7	8.0	46.5	2,038	210	280	6.62	4,076	36.5
CHS 219.1ÃÂÃÂ8	219.1	8.0	52.9	2,971	271	363	7.49	5,942	41.5
CHS 244.5ÃÂÃÂ10	244.5	10.0	73.7	4,981	407	543	8.22	9,962	57.9
CHS 273ÃÂÃÂ10	273	10.0	82.6	7,166	525	704	9.31	14,332	64.9
CHS 323.9ÃÂÃÂ10	323.9	10.0	98.6	12,351	763	1,025	11.2	24,702	77.4

SHS Section Properties (Hot-Finished, S355)

Designation	b (mm)	t (mm)	A (cmÃÂÃÂ²)	I (cmÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ´)	Wel (cmÃÂÃÂ³)	Wpl (cmÃÂÃÂ³)	i (cm)	It (cmÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ´)	Mass (kg/m)
SHS 50ÃÂÃÂ5	50	5.0	8.60	30.0	12.0	15.0	1.87	47.8	6.75
SHS 60ÃÂÃÂ5	60	5.0	10.6	54.4	18.1	22.7	2.27	86.6	8.32
SHS 80ÃÂÃÂ5	80	5.0	14.6	134	33.5	41.8	3.03	213	11.5
SHS 100ÃÂÃÂ5	100	5.0	18.6	275	55.0	68.6	3.85	437	14.6
SHS 120ÃÂÃÂ5	120	5.0	22.6	499	83.2	104	4.70	793	17.7
SHS 120ÃÂÃÂ8	120	8.0	33.9	683	114	143	4.49	1,086	26.6
SHS 150ÃÂÃÂ8	150	8.0	43.5	1,396	186	234	5.66	2,219	34.1
SHS 200ÃÂÃÂ10	200	10.0	72.4	4,126	413	518	7.55	6,555	56.8
SHS 250ÃÂÃÂ10	250	10.0	92.4	8,656	693	876	9.68	13,757	72.5

RHS Section Properties (Hot-Finished, S355)

Designation	hÃÂÃÂb (mm)	t (mm)	A (cmÃÂÃÂ²)	Iy (cmÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ´)	Wel,y (cmÃÂÃÂ³)	Wpl,y (cmÃÂÃÂ³)	iy (cm)	It (cmÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ´)	Mass (kg/m)
RHS 100ÃÂÃÂ50ÃÂÃÂ5	100ÃÂÃÂ50	5	13.6	170	34.0	40.2	3.54	177	10.7
RHS 120ÃÂÃÂ60ÃÂÃÂ5	120ÃÂÃÂ60	5	16.6	303	50.5	60.2	4.27	310	13.0
RHS 150ÃÂÃÂ100ÃÂÃÂ6	150ÃÂÃÂ100	6	28.0	754	101	126	5.19	812	22.0
RHS 150ÃÂÃÂ100ÃÂÃÂ8	150ÃÂÃÂ100	8	35.9	918	122	154	5.06	1,000	28.2
RHS 200ÃÂÃÂ100ÃÂÃÂ6	200ÃÂÃÂ100	6	34.0	1,746	175	209	7.17	1,800	26.7
RHS 200ÃÂÃÂ100ÃÂÃÂ10	200ÃÂÃÂ100	10	53.7	2,541	254	317	6.88	2,760	42.2
RHS 250ÃÂÃÂ150ÃÂÃÂ8	250ÃÂÃÂ150	8	59.9	4,661	373	455	8.82	4,820	47.0
RHS 300ÃÂÃÂ200ÃÂÃÂ10	300ÃÂÃÂ200	10	91.7	10,900	727	890	10.9	11,810	72.0
RHS 400ÃÂÃÂ200ÃÂÃÂ12	400ÃÂÃÂ200	12	132	26,075	1,304	1,540	14.1	26,500	104

Grade Conversion

Properties are identical for S275 and S355 sections — only the design resistance (fy ÃÂÃÂ Wpl) differs:

S355: fy = 355 MPa for t ÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ¤ 16 mm; fy = 345 MPa for 16 < t ÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ¤ 40 mm
S275: fy = 275 MPa for t ÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ¤ 16 mm; fy = 265 MPa for 16 < t ÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ¤ 40 mm

Design Resources

UK Steel Grades Reference — EN 10025-2 grade selection for UK projects
UK Steel Mechanical Properties — fy, fu, and elongation tables
UK Universal Beam and Column Sizes — UB/UC section dimensions and properties
UK Bolt Capacity Tables — Class 8.8 and 10.9 bolt resistance
UK Beam Design Guide — EN 1993-1-1 flexure, shear, and LTB
UK Connection Design Guide — EN 1993-1-8 bolted and welded joints
All UK Steel Design References — complete library

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between hot-finished and cold-formed HSS?

Hot-finished HSS (BS EN 10210-1) are formed at elevated temperatures and have no residual stresses from cold-forming, giving more favourable buckling curves (a or a0 vs c for cold-formed). Cold-formed HSS (BS EN 10219-1) are formed at room temperature and have higher yield strength in the corners but also higher residual stresses. For structural applications in UK buildings, hot-finished HSS are preferred due to better toughness, weldability, and buckling behaviour. S355 hot-finished HSS uses buckling curve a for flexural buckling (vs curve c for cold-formed).

What is the standard UK HSS grade for structural applications?

S355J2H is the standard UK specification for hot-finished hollow sections to BS EN 10210-1. The H suffix indicates hollow section. S355J2H provides fy = 355 MPa (t ÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ¤ 16 mm) with Charpy 27 J at -20ÃÂÃÂ°C. For cold-formed sections to BS EN 10219-1, S355J2H is also standard. S275J2H is a lower-cost alternative for secondary members.

How are HSS properties used in EN 1993-1-1 design?

HSS section properties are used directly in EN 1993-1-1 design checks: Wpl for bending resistance (Mc,Rd), A for axial resistance (Npl,Rd), I and i for buckling checks (ÃÂÃÂ»ÃÂÃÂ = Lcr/i ÃÂÃÂ 1/ÃÂÃÂ»1), and It for torsional checks. Hot-finished CHS uses buckling curve a (ÃÂÃÂ± = 0.21) for flexural buckling. Hot-finished RHS/SHS uses curve a (S235-S355) or b (S420-S460). CHS has excellent torsional stiffness (It = 2I), making it efficient for torsionally loaded members.

What is the lightweight HSS option for UK construction?

For weight-critical applications, CHS is the most efficient HSS shape for compression members due to its equal buckling strength about all axes and favourable buckling curve a. SHS is efficient for moment connections due to its flat faces. The choice between CHS, SHS, and RHS depends on the connection type — CHS requires specialised connections (slotted gusset or ring stiffeners), while RHS/SHS can use standard bolted connections with fin plates and end plates.

Educational reference only. All design values are per BS EN 1993-1-1:2005 + UK National Annex and BS EN 10025-2:2019. Verify all values against the current editions of the standards and the applicable National Annex for your project jurisdiction. Designs must be independently verified by a Chartered Structural Engineer registered with the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) or the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). Results are PRELIMINARY — NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION without independent professional verification.