SHS and RHS are acronyms for standardized types of steel tubing.
SHS stands for Square Hollow Section.
RHS stands for Rectangular Hollow Section.
They are often grouped together because they share many characteristics and are used for similar purposes.
SHS - Square Hollow Section
A cold-formed steel tube with a square cross-section. All four sides are of equal length, and all interior angles are 90 degrees.
Key Characteristics:
Symmetry: Its equal sides make it symmetric about both its central axes. This means it has identical bending properties in all directions, which is a major advantage for certain applications.
Appearance: Often considered to have a clean, modern aesthetic.
Common Sizes: Examples include 30x30 box section, 50 x 50 steel box section, 100x100 steel box section, etc., with varying wall thicknesses.
RHS - Rectangular Hollow Section
A cold-formed steel tube with a rectangular cross-section. It has two pairs of sides: one pair is longer and the other is shorter.
Key Characteristics:
Directional Strength: Its shape gives it greater strength and stiffness in one direction compared to the other. It is strongest when load is applied to the wider, flatter side.
Efficient Use of Material: The shape is often ideal for beams and columns where the load direction is known, as it provides more strength where needed without adding extra material.
Common Sizes: Examples include 50x25mm, 100x50mm, 150x100mm, etc., with varying wall thicknesses.
mild steel box section sizes
| Square Hollow Section Sizes | Rectangular Hollow Section Sizes | Wall Thickness |
| mm | mm | mm |
| 20*20 25*25 30*30 | 20*40 30*40 | 1.7-2.75 |
| 40*40 50*50 | 30*50 25*50 30*60 40*60 | 1.2-4.75 |
| 60*60 | 50*70 40*80 40*50 | 1.2-5.75 |
| 70*70 | 60*80 50*80 100*40 | 1.5-5.75 |
| 80*80 75*75 90*90 | 60*100 50*100 120*60 100*80 | 1.5-8.0 |
| 100*100 | 120*80 | 1.7-8.0 |
| 120*120 | 160*80 150*100 140*80 | 2.5-10.0 |
| 140*140 150*150 | 100*180 200*100 | 2.5-10.0 |
| 160*160 180*180 | 200*150 | 3.5-12.0 |
| 200*200 | 250*150 | 3.5-12.0 |
| 250*250 280*280 | 250*200 300*200 | 4.5-15.75 |
| 300*300 | 350*200 350*250 400*200 | 4.5-15.75 |
| 350*350 | 350*300 450*250 400*300 500*200 | 4.5-15.75 |
| 400*400 500*500 | 450*300 450*200 400*350 400*250 500*250 500*300 400*600 | 4.5-20.0 |
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Manufacturing and Surface Treatments
- Cold-Formed vs. Hot-Rolled:
Cold-formed: Produced at room temperature, enhancing strength but requiring careful handling to avoid stress concentrations.
Hot-rolled: Manufactured at high temperatures, offering better ductility and formability for complex shapes.
- Surface Treatments:
Galvanizing (zinc coating) for corrosion resistance in outdoor applications.
Painting or powder coating for aesthetic finishes and additional protection.
Why Are SHS and RHS steel box section So Popular?
- High Strength-to-Weight Ratio: They are incredibly strong and stiff for their weight, making structures lighter and reducing material costs.
- Torsional Resistance: Their closed shape makes them far more resistant to twisting (torsion) than open sections (like C-channels or angle iron).
- Clean Aesthetic: They have a neat, modern appearance that is often desired for architectural and visible structural elements.
- Ease of Fabrication and Connection: Their flat, parallel sides make them easy to weld, bolt, and connect to other members cleanly and securely.
- Versatility: They can be used for a vast range of applications, from the structural skeleton of a building to furniture, handrails, and vehicle frames.
Common Applications of shs and rhs
- Construction: The primary framework of buildings (columns, beams, purlins), stadiums, and bridges.
- Infrastructure: Sign posts, streetlight poles, bus shelters, and safety barriers.
- Manufacturing: Machine frames, conveyor systems, robotic arms, and workbenches.
- Automotive & Transport: Roll cages in race cars, chassis components, trailer frames, and truck beds.
- Furniture & Design: Modern furniture (tables, chairs, shelves), shop fittings, handrails, and staircases.
- DIY and Home Projects: Greenhouse frames, shed frames, gate posts, and custom projects.
In summary, SHS and RHS are types of strong, lightweight, and versatile steel tubing defined by their square and rectangular shapes. The choice between them depends on whether the application requires uniform strength in all directions (SHS) or directed strength for load-bearing purposes (RHS).
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