Structural hollow sections – SHS, RHS and CHS for columns, trusses and bracing

Cold-formed hollow sections are roll-formed from strip and welded – the most common and economical type (EN 10219, ASTM A500, AS/NZS 1163, JIS G3466, GB/T 6728). Their corners are work-hardened, with tighter corner radii rules for welding. Hot-finished sections (EN 10210) are formed or normalised hot, with uniform properties and smaller corner radii – preferred for heavily loaded or fatigue-sensitive members.

Hollow sections carry axial load equally about both axes, resist torsion and lateral buckling, and need less paint and fire protection per metre than open sections of the same capacity.