When it comes to structural materials in today’s construction and fabrication industry, hollow section steel stands out as one of the most versatile and reliable options. Known for its strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness, hollow section steel is widely used in everything from large-scale commercial buildings to everyday residential projects. Understanding what hollow section steel is, its types, benefits, and applications can help builders, fabricators, and engineers make the right choice for their projects.

What is Hollow Section Steel?

Hollow section steel is a type of structural steel profile characterized by its hollow cross-section. Unlike traditional solid steel bars or rods, these sections have an empty interior space that runs through their entire length. This unique geometry allows hollow section steel to deliver a remarkable strength-to-weight ratio, making it both strong and lightweight at the same time. Engineers and builders prefer hollow sections because they can achieve the same or higher structural strength compared to solid sections while reducing material usage and overall project costs.

Hollow section steel is manufactured through advanced rolling and welding processes. Typically, it begins as flat steel plates or coils that are rolled into the desired shape—square, rectangular, or circular—before being welded along the seam to form a continuous tube. In many cases, hot rolling, cold forming, or hot-dip galvanising may also be applied depending on the intended application and performance requirements.

There are three main types of hollow section steel, each serving specific functions in construction and fabrication:

• SHS (Square Hollow Section):
  SHS steel has equal width and height, forming a perfect square. This shape provides uniform strength on all sides, making it especially suitable for applications requiring balance and symmetry. Common uses include architectural designs, columns, frames, and even decorative structures where both aesthetics and structural reliability matter.
• RHS (Rectangular Hollow Section):
  RHS steel is wider and flatter compared to SHS. Because of its geometry, it offers high strength in one direction and excellent load-bearing capacity, making it ideal for use in beams, trusses, and structural frameworks. RHS is often the preferred choice in construction projects that require strong, flat sections for spanning and support.
• CHS (Circular Hollow Section):
  CHS steel features a round profile, which gives it uniform strength distribution in all directions. This makes it highly efficient under compression, tension, and torsional (twisting) forces. CHS is frequently used in scaffolding, pipelines, columns, bridges, and aesthetic architectural elements where smooth, clean lines are desired.

Beyond these three, hollow section steel can also be manufactured in specialized shapes such as oval or elliptical tubes, but SHS, RHS, and CHS remain the most commonly used worldwide.

Benefits of Using Hollow Section Steel

Choosing hollow section steel comes with several advantages that make it highly popular in construction and fabrication:

1. High Strength with Less Weight – Its hollow structure reduces weight while still maintaining structural strength.
2. Cost-Effective – Requires less material compared to solid steel sections, reducing costs.
3. Versatile Applications – Can be used in residential, commercial, and industrial projects.
4. Durability – Resistant to bending, torsion, and impact, making it reliable under heavy loads.
5. Clean Aesthetic Appearance – Offers smooth edges and modern look, perfect for architectural designs.

Common Applications of Hollow Section Steel

Hollow section steel is widely used across multiple industries because of its adaptability. Some of the most common applications include:

• Building Frames and Structures – Ideal for columns, beams, and support systems.
• Industrial and Agricultural Equipment – Used in machinery frames, conveyors, and storage racks.
• Transport Industry – Applied in vehicle chassis, trailers, and shipping containers.
• Furniture and Architectural Design – Perfect for modern furniture, staircases, and handrails.
• Fencing and Gates – Provides strength and sleek design for outdoor applications.

Hollow Section Steel Sizes and Dimensions

 Hollow section steel is manufactured in a wide variety of sizes, wall thicknesses, and lengths, making it adaptable to almost every type of project—from lightweight frameworks to heavy-duty structural applications. The dimensions directly affect the load-bearing capacity, durability, and cost-efficiency of the material, so selecting the right size is one of the most important steps in project planning.

1. Square Hollow Section (SHS) Sizes

Square hollow sections are popular in both structural and architectural applications because of their balanced strength in all directions.

• Common SHS sizes:
  • Small: 20x20mm, 25x25mm, 30x30mm
  • Medium: 40x40mm, 50x50mm, 65x65mm, 75x75mm
  • Large: 90x90mm, 100x100mm, 120x120mm, 150x150mm, 200x200mm
• Wall thickness range: 1.6mm to 12mm
• Typical applications: Furniture, gates, residential frames, commercial building supports, industrial machinery.

2. Rectangular Hollow Section (RHS) Sizes

Rectangular hollow sections provide excellent load-bearing performance, especially when strength is needed in one direction. Their flat sides also make fabrication and welding easier.

• Common RHS sizes:
  • Small: 40x20mm, 50x25mm, 60x30mm
  • Medium: 80x40mm, 100x50mm, 120x60mm, 150x100mm
  • Large: 200x100mm, 250x150mm, 300x200mm, 400x200mm
• Wall thickness range: 2mm to 12mm
• Typical applications: Beams, trusses, construction frames, bridges, large-span structures, and transport equipment.

3. Circular Hollow Section (CHS) Sizes

Circular hollow sections are widely used due to their ability to handle compression and torsional forces. They are also favored for their clean, aesthetic look in architectural designs.

• Common CHS sizes:
  • Small diameters: 21.3mm, 26.9mm, 33.7mm, 42.4mm
  • Medium diameters: 48.3mm, 60.3mm, 76.1mm, 88.9mm, 114.3mm
  • Large diameters: 168.3mm, 219.1mm, 273mm, 323.9mm, 406.4mm, 508mm
• Wall thickness range: 2mm to 20mm
• Typical applications: Scaffolding, pipelines, columns, offshore structures, bridges, and aesthetic architectural frameworks.

4. Length Options

Most hollow section steel products are supplied in standard lengths of 6 meters and 12 meters, but custom-cut lengths are also widely available depending on supplier capability.

Why Choose Hollow Section Steel for Your Project?

For builders, architects, and engineers, hollow section steel is more than just a structural material—it is a smart investment. Its ability to provide long-term strength, flexibility in design, and resistance to environmental factors makes it one of the top choices in the construction industry. Whether you are working on a lightweight frame, a heavy-duty industrial structure, or even custom-designed furniture, hollow section steel offers unmatched performance and reliability.

Conclusion

Hollow section steel is an indispensable material that continues to shape modern construction and fabrication. With different shapes such as SHS, RHS, and CHS, along with a wide range of sizes and thicknesses, it is adaptable to countless applications. Its strength, cost-efficiency, and versatility ensure that hollow section steel will remain a cornerstone of the industry for years to come.

If you are planning your next project, choosing the right hollow section steel could be the key to achieving both strength and efficiency.

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