Hollow structural section facts for kids
A hollow structural section (HSS) is a special type of metal tube used in building and construction. Think of it like a strong, hollow pipe or box made of metal. These shapes are very useful because they are strong but also lighter than solid metal pieces. This makes them great for building things like bridges, tall buildings, and even playground equipment.
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What are Hollow Structural Sections?
Hollow structural sections are usually made from steel. They have a hollow space inside, which gives them their name. This hollow design makes them very strong and stiff, meaning they don't bend or twist easily. At the same time, they use less material than a solid piece of metal of the same size. This makes them lighter and often more cost-effective for large structures.
Why are they Hollow?
You might wonder why builders use hollow metal shapes instead of solid ones. The main reason is efficiency. A hollow tube can be just as strong as a solid rod for many uses, especially when it comes to resisting bending or twisting forces. This is because most of the strength of a beam or column comes from its outer edges. By making the center hollow, you save on material and weight without losing much strength. This is a clever way to build strong and light structures.
Common Shapes of HSS
Hollow structural sections come in different shapes, each good for different jobs. The most common shapes are circles, squares, and rectangles.
Circular HSS (CHS)
Circular HSS, often called CHS in some countries, looks like a regular pipe. These are great for columns that need to support weight straight down, or for parts of structures that need to look smooth and round. They are also good at resisting forces from all directions equally.
Square HSS (SHS)
Square HSS, or SHS, has four equal sides. These are often used for columns, frames, and trusses (like the criss-cross parts of a bridge). Their flat sides make it easy to connect other parts to them.
Rectangular HSS (RHS)
Rectangular HSS, or RHS, has two long sides and two shorter sides. These are very popular for beams that support floors or roofs, and for frames where you need more strength in one direction than another. Like square sections, their flat sides make them easy to work with.
Different Names Around the World
The name "HSS" is mostly used in the United States and countries that follow similar building rules. However, in places like the United Kingdom and many other countries, you'll hear different names for these same shapes. They use terms like CHS (Circular Hollow Section), SHS (Square Hollow Section), and RHS (Rectangular Hollow Section). Even though the names are different, they refer to the same basic types of strong, hollow metal tubes used in construction. The exact sizes and how they are made might be a little different depending on the country's standards.
Related pages
Images for kids
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This picture shows a hot-rolled HSS-box section that has been cut open. The way it springs open shows something called residual stress, which is like hidden tension inside the metal from how it was made.
