Hollow Structural Section (HSS) Weight Calculator
Calculate the weight of square and rectangular steel tubing
Understanding HSS Weight Calculations
Hollow Structural Sections (HSS) are a type of metal profile with a hollow cross-section. In the construction and manufacturing industries, HSS is most commonly square or rectangular, though circular sections (pipes/tubes) are also frequent. Calculating the weight of these sections is critical for structural engineering, logistics, and cost estimation.
The HSS Weight Formula
The calculation is based on determining the cross-sectional area of the steel and multiplying it by the length and the density of the material (standard carbon steel is approximately 7,850 kg/m³ or 490 lbs/ft³).
Theoretical Formula (Rectangular/Square):
Weight = [Area of Outer Rectangle – Area of Inner Void] × Length × Density
For a section with Width (W), Height (H), and Thickness (t):
Outer Area = W × H
Inner Area = (W – 2t) × (H – 2t)
Industry Example
Consider a standard structural steel tube with the following dimensions:
- Width: 100 mm
- Height: 100 mm (Square)
- Wall Thickness: 5 mm
- Length: 1 meter
Using the formula: Outer Area (10,000 mm²) – Inner Area (90×90 = 8,100 mm²) = 1,900 mm².
Converted to meters: 0.0019 m².
Weight = 0.0019 m² × 1 m × 7850 kg/m³ = 14.92 kg.
Standard ASTM A500 HSS Properties
| Nominal Size (in) | Wall Thickness (in) | Weight (lb/ft) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 x 4 | 1/4 (0.233) | 12.21 |
| 6 x 4 | 5/16 (0.291) | 18.42 |
| 8 x 8 | 1/2 (0.465) | 47.35 |
Critical Considerations
1. Corner Radii: In real-world manufacturing, HSS sections have rounded corners. The actual weight is typically about 3-5% lighter than a "perfect" sharp-cornered theoretical calculation. This calculator provides the theoretical weight, which is a safe upper bound for structural planning.
2. Material Variance: While 7,850 kg/m³ is standard for steel, galvanized steel or stainless steel may have slight variations in density.