If you’re searching for metal pipe materials to use in your construction project, you’ve probably come across two types of hollow sections – round and square. Which one should you choose? Understanding the major differences between these hollow sections can be the key to selecting the right material to meet your needs and give you a strong structure for years. In this blog post, we will thoroughly examine the advantages and disadvantages of both piping styles, providing you with the information needed to determine which one is most suitable for your project!
View Details
What is Hollow Square Pipe?
The hollow square pipe is a metal tube with four sides and usually an open top. It can be made from various materials, such as aluminium, steel, and stainless steel. The hollow square pipe typically has inner walls with uniform thickness and diameter on all four sides for strength and durability. This type of pipe is used in many industrial applications, such as water lines, oil pipelines, plumbing fixtures, air compressor systems, automotive exhaust systems, and construction projects.
What are Round Hollow Sections?
Round Hollow Sections (RHS) are steel pipes used in various industrial applications. They have a circular cross-section and can be either welded or seamless. RHS offers many advantages such as high strength, corrosion resistance, lightweight, and cost-efficiency, making it an ideal choice for various construction projects. Moreover, they provide excellent structural support in areas with limited space due to their hollow section design. Additionally, their inner surface is smooth, which reduces friction losses while allowing the transport of fluids at higher pressures than solid sections. Therefore, RHS is an increasingly popular solution for many application needs of today’s industry.
Strength and Durability
When choosing a steel pipe for your project, you need to consider the strength and durability of the pipe. While both round hollow sections and hollow square pipe is durable and strong, the latter ones are more robust and sturdy. The square shape of hollow square pipes provides more resistance to torsion and bending, which gives them an edge over the round hollow sections. Hence, if you need a pipe that requires high weight-bearing capacity and resistance to bending, hollow square pipes can be a better option.
Aesthetics
Another important factor to consider while choosing the right steel pipe for your project is aesthetics—the appearance of the structure you are building matters a lot. Hollow square pipes are more visually attractive than round hollow sections. The square cross-section’s sharp edges and straight lines provide a modern and sleek appearance to the structure. On the other hand, round hollow sections can look more traditional and conventional. Therefore, if you want to give your project a contemporary or modern feel, you may prefer hollow square pipes.
Availability and Cost
The availability and cost of steel pipes are also crucial when choosing one for your project. In general, hollow square pipes are less readily available than round hollow sections, making them more expensive. On the other hand, contractors and builders frequently favor round hollow sections due to their low cost and easy availability, making them widely accessible. Therefore, if you want to save money on construction costs and select a readily available option, round hollow sections may be prudent.
Ease of Fabrication
The ease of fabrication is also a crucial factor to consider when selecting a steel pipe for your project. In general, one can easily fashion both hollow square pipe and round hollow sections into various shapes and sizes. However, the angular sides of hollow square pipes can sometimes make them more challenging to handle and weld than round hollow sections. Additionally, the square shape makes hollow square pipes more difficult to manufacture and can make them more expensive. Conversely, round hollow sections can be easier to cut and weld and are often more cost-effective in fabrication.
Weight
Finally, weight is an important consideration for projects with limited load-bearing capacity. While both hollow square pipes and round hollow sections are relatively lightweight, the former are generally heavier than the latter ones. The added weight of hollow square pipes makes them more robust and strengthens them. However, if you need to keep the weight of your project to a minimum, round hollow sections may be the better option.
Conclusion:
What are Hollow Steel Sections?
These products are pieces of cold-rolled steel that are formed into a hollow, tubular section. They get the names of box section and hollow section due to the fact that at the edges, there is a gaping hollow edge going throughout the whole steel bar.
Steel hollow sections are categorised into three primary shapes. Each of these sections has its own attributes, benefits and specific uses.
The main types of steel tube are:
- Square Hollow Section (SHS)
- Rectangular Hollow Section (RHS)
- Circular Hollow Section (CHS)
Before we explore the common uses for these steel sections, it’s important to understand exactly what separates these sections, other than their shape.
What are Hollow Section Sizes?
The exact sizes available will depend on the manufacturer and regional standards. However, some common sizes (Height x Width x Wall thickness in millimetres for rectangular and square sections and Diameter x Wall thickness for circular sections) are provided below:
Rectangular Hollow Section (RHS).
- 50x25x2mm
- 100x50x3mm
- 150x100x4mm
- 200x100x5mm ... and many more.
Square Hollow Section (SHS):
- 20x20x2mm
- 40x40x2.5mm
- 50x50x3mm
- 100x100x5mm ... and so on.
Circular Hollow Section (CHS):
- 21.3x2.3mm (which is common for pipes as well)
- 48.3x3.2mm
- 60.3x3.6mm
- 76.1x3.6mm ... among others.
Remember, these are just common sizes. The range of sizes manufactured can be vast and vary by region, manufacturer, and specific application.
What is Square Hollow Section?
Square hollow section steel (SHS) is a popular type of steel tube which is more of a ‘universal’ tube, in terms of its attributes, structural integrity and appearance.
SHS products feature flat surfaces, which are easy to join and weld and that require very little edge preparation. SHS tubes also feature symmetrical edges, as opposed to rectangular sections with four different edge sizes (with two opposing sides being equal in length).
Square sections provide a great deal of strength, durability and aesthetic value for several applications where all three of these attributes are required.
Link to Huizhe
What is Rectangular Hollow Section?
Rectangular steel sections (RHS) are popular choices for structural, mechanical and building applications. Like SHS, RHS tubes have flat surfaces, meaning they provide convenient structural support while being easy to join, weld and fabricate together.
Due to its rectangular shape, this type of hollow section steel is easy to cut and join to other flat surfaces. Similar to SHS, these products require minimal edge preparation for welding or joining.
What is Circular Hollow Section?
Circular hollow sections (CHS) are what can only be described as conventional-looking steel pipe and tube. These products are used in numerous applications in various industries, from structural to mechanical and building works.
The clean lines, smooth surfaces and lack of any protruding edges make them particularly aesthetically pleasing. But they, like SHS and RHS, are still incredibly strong, durable and reliable.
What can Hollow Sections be Used for?
Hollow steel sections are commonly used in welded steel frames and columns. They’re also regularly used as steel support beams, due to their immense strength.
Particularly with SHS and RHS products, their flat surfaces make them easy to work with during construction projects. Even architects and designers find themselves turning to hollow section structural steel for exposed structures due to how practical and visually appealing they can be.
Common Uses For Hollow Structural Steel
- Scaffolding
- Guardrails
- Fences
- Staircases
- Gates and railings
- Trusses
- Cranes and other machinery
- Furniture
- Hydraulic platforms
- Trusses
- Storage facilities
Steel sections like these are some of the most versatile and efficient products available for mechanical and building applications. Hollow sections often make up some of the most structurally sound and aesthetically impressive structures we know and love today.
They have diverse uses, and by buying steel online via the user-friendly online store, Buy A Beam, you can buy these products directly from local steel suppliers. Many of our suppliers have been fabricating structural steel for generations, who take great pride in achieving specific looks for their steel while ensuring they are completely fit for purpose.
What are Hollow Section Sizes?
Hollow steel sections come in two primary shapes: rectangular (RHS) and circular (CHS). Their sizes range from small profiles, suitable for minor applications, to large diameters used in major infrastructure projects. Industry standards dictate sizes, but common RHS dimensions include 50x20 mm to 400x300 mm, while CHS often ranges from 21.3 mm in diameter to over 500 mm. Custom sizes can also be manufactured to meet specific requirements.
I Beam versus Hollow Section
I beams, characterised by their I-shaped cross-section, are primarily used for heavy-duty applications where bending resistance is crucial. Hollow sections, on the other hand, provide uniform strength along all axes, making them suitable for multi-directional loads.
While I beams excel in centralised load-bearing scenarios, hollow sections offer versatility and aesthetics and can often be a more efficient choice in torsional loading conditions.
What are the Pros and Cons of Hollow Steel Sections?
The advantages of hollow steel sections include their aesthetic appeal, uniform strength, and weight-saving properties. They can also be easily welded, reducing the need for bolted connections.
Disadvantages primarily revolve around their cost, as their manufacturing process can be more expensive. Additionally, the internal hollow space can collect water or debris, which might necessitate additional protection or maintenance measures to prevent corrosion.
How to Buy Steel Online Easily
With Buy A Beam, you can order steel online in just a few short steps. You can order steel products online via our shop, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Once you select a local steel supplier to you to order from, you can browse the range of products you can buy directly. You’ll be quoted instant prices and given a huge list of sizes to choose from. You’ll also have the ability to add processes, flange holes, specify other particular specifications and much more.
No more waiting around! You can buy steel online easily with Buy A Beam, and not have to wait hours for quotes or estimates.
For more information, contact our team today.
For more hollow rectangular tube(ru,fr,tl)information, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
Comments
0