American Hollow Structural Sections (HSS)
Dimensions and properties for structural square and rectangular HSS in Imperial units, including weight, moment of inertia, and section modulus
American HSS Dimensions and Properties Chart
| Designation | Depth (in) | Width (in) | Wall Thickness (in) | Weight (lb/ft) | Area (in²) | Ix (in⁴) | Iy (in⁴) | Zx (in³) | Zy (in³) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSS 2×2×1/4 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.25 | 3.0 | 0.89 | 0.17 | 0.17 | 0.17 | 0.17 |
| HSS 3×3×1/4 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 0.25 | 5.0 | 1.49 | 0.56 | 0.56 | 0.37 | 0.37 |
| HSS 4×2×3/8 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 0.375 | 8.5 | 2.53 | 1.62 | 0.35 | 0.81 | 0.35 |
| HSS 6×4×1/2 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 0.5 | 17.2 | 5.10 | 8.20 | 1.91 | 2.73 | 0.95 |
About American Hollow Structural Sections (HSS)
American Hollow Structural Sections (HSS) are standardized steel tubing sections widely used in structural engineering, fabrication, and construction. Available in square and rectangular shapes, HSS members provide superior torsional resistance, uniform strength, and efficient load distribution, making them ideal for columns, beams, frames, and trusses.
This reference chart lists Imperial dimensions and structural properties of American HSS sections, including depth, width, wall thickness, weight per foot, cross-sectional area, moment of inertia (Ix, Iy), and section modulus (Zx, Zy). These properties are essential for structural analysis, load capacity calculations, and deflection checks according to AISC design standards.
Key HSS Property Definitions
- Designation – Standard HSS name indicating depth × width × wall thickness in inches.
- Depth (in) – The outer height of the section, affecting stiffness and buckling strength.
- Width (in) – The overall breadth of the tube, influencing bending resistance and load distribution.
- Wall Thickness (in) – The thickness of the steel walls; determines strength, durability, and weight.
- Weight (lb/ft) – The linear mass of the section, used to estimate total steel weight and dead loads.
- Area (in²) – The total cross-sectional area, used to calculate axial stresses and tension capacity.
- Moment of Inertia (Ix, Iy) – Represents stiffness against bending about the x- and y-axes.
- Section Modulus (Zx, Zy) – The ratio of moment of inertia to the outermost fiber; used in bending stress design.
Applications and Design Use
HSS members are commonly used for columns, beams, space frames, bridge trusses, towers, and mechanical supports due to their clean geometry and aesthetic appeal. Their closed cross-section offers enhanced torsional rigidity and protection against local buckling, making them efficient for compression and bending applications.
Engineers and designers use this HSS data to select optimal sizes for strength, stiffness, and economy in both architectural and structural projects. By referencing the dimensions and section properties listed above, one can quickly evaluate member performance under tension, compression, and bending loads.
This dataset provides a comprehensive engineering reference for American Hollow Structural Sections in Imperial units, ensuring accurate calculations, efficient design, and compliance with AISC Steel Construction Manual specifications.