Hk Tax Rate Calculator

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HSS Weight Calculator (Square & Rectangular)

Calculation Results:

Weight per Foot: 0 lbs/ft

Total Piece Weight: 0 lbs

Cross Sectional Area: 0 in²

function calculateHSSWeight() { var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById('hss_width').value); var height = parseFloat(document.getElementById('hss_height').value); var thickness = parseFloat(document.getElementById('hss_thickness').value); var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('hss_length').value); var errorDiv = document.getElementById('hss_error'); var resultBox = document.getElementById('hss_result_box'); errorDiv.style.display = "none"; resultBox.style.display = "none"; if (isNaN(width) || isNaN(height) || isNaN(thickness) || isNaN(length) || width <= 0 || height <= 0 || thickness <= 0 || length = width / 2 || thickness >= height / 2) { errorDiv.innerHTML = "Wall thickness cannot be greater than half of the width or height."; errorDiv.style.display = "block"; return; } // Steel density is approx 0.2833 lbs per cubic inch var density = 0.2833; // Cross Sectional Area = (B*H) – ((B-2t)*(H-2t)) var outerArea = width * height; var innerArea = (width – (2 * thickness)) * (height – (2 * thickness)); var crossSectionalArea = outerArea – innerArea; // Weight per inch = Area * density // Weight per foot = Weight per inch * 12 var weightPerFoot = crossSectionalArea * 12 * density; var totalWeight = weightPerFoot * length; document.getElementById('weight_per_foot').innerHTML = weightPerFoot.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('total_weight').innerHTML = totalWeight.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('cross_area').innerHTML = crossSectionalArea.toFixed(3); resultBox.style.display = "block"; }

How to Calculate HSS (Hollow Structural Section) Weight

Hollow Structural Sections (HSS) are high-strength steel members used frequently in construction, architecture, and manufacturing. Whether you are working with square tubing or rectangular tubing, knowing the exact weight of your material is critical for structural load calculations, shipping logistics, and cost estimation.

The HSS Weight Formula

The weight of an HSS profile is determined by its cross-sectional area and the density of the steel. The general formula used by our calculator is:

Weight = [ (Width × Height) – (Width – 2t) × (Height – 2t) ] × Length × Density
  • Width (B): The external width of the section.
  • Height (H): The external height of the section.
  • Thickness (t): The nominal wall thickness of the steel.
  • Density: Standard carbon steel density is approximately 0.2833 lbs/in³ (490 lbs/ft³).

Practical Example

Imagine you have a rectangular HSS beam with the following specifications:

  • Dimensions: 6 inches x 4 inches
  • Wall Thickness: 0.25 inches (1/4″)
  • Length: 10 feet

Step 1: Calculate the Area.
Outer Area: 6″ × 4″ = 24.0 in²
Inner Area: (6 – 0.5) × (4 – 0.5) = 5.5 × 3.5 = 19.25 in²
Steel Area = 24.0 – 19.25 = 4.75 in²

Step 2: Calculate Weight per Foot.
4.75 in² × 12 inches × 0.2833 lbs/in³ = 16.15 lbs/ft

Step 3: Total Weight.
16.15 lbs/ft × 10 feet = 161.5 lbs

Benefits of Using HSS

HSS is favored in modern engineering for several reasons:

  1. Torsional Resistance: Because of their closed shape, HSS profiles handle twisting much better than open I-beams or C-channels.
  2. Strength-to-Weight Ratio: HSS provides high strength while using less material, reducing the dead load of structures.
  3. Aesthetics: The clean lines of square and rectangular tubing are often preferred for exposed steelwork in modern architecture.
  4. Ease of Maintenance: With less surface area and no "pockets" like an I-beam, HSS is easier to clean and paint, reducing corrosion risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does this calculator account for rounded corners?
A: This calculator uses the geometric "theoretical" weight. In reality, HSS produced via the cold-forming process has rounded corners which slightly reduces the total weight compared to a perfectly sharp-edged rectangle. For most structural estimates, this difference is negligible.
Q: What is the density of steel used here?
A: We use a standard density of 0.2833 lbs/in³ (7,850 kg/m³), which is the industry standard for carbon steel grades like A500.

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