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Square Hollow Sections

Also known as box sections or SHS, square hollow sections made from cold-formed steel are one of the most popular components in construction and engineering projects. Find the sections you need for your projects at Steel Plate & Sections. Manufactured from high-quality steel, these sections are a preferred choice for architects, builders, and engineers in the UK and beyond.

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Square hollow sections (SHS) are a type of steel section that is square in cross-section, but with a hollow center. Hollow steel sections are commonly used in welded steel frames and columns. They're also regularly used as steel support beams, due to their immense strength.

Specifications

Stock sizes available:

Size (mm) kg/m² Size (mm) kg/m² Size (mm) kg/m²
40 x 40 x 3.0 3.5 100 x 100 x 5.0 14.8 200 x 200 x 6.3 38.2
40 x 40 x 3.2 3.7 100 x 100 x 6.3 18.4 200 x 200 x 8.0 48.0
40 x 40 x 4.0 4.5 100 x 100 x 8.0 23.0 200 x 200 x 10.0 59.3
50 x 50 x 3.0 4.4 100 x 100 x 10.0 27.9 200 x 200 x 12.5 73.0
50 x 50 x 3.2 4.7 120 x 120 x 5.0 18.0 200 x 200 x 16.0 91.5
50 x 50 x 4.0 5.7 120 x 120 x 6.3 22.3 250 x 250 x 6.3 48.1
50 x 50 x 5.0 7.0 120 x 120 x 8.0 27.9 250 x 250 x 8.0 60.5
60 x 60 x 3.2 5.7 120 x 120 x 10.0 34.2 250 x 250 x 10.0 75.0
60 x 60 x 4.0 7.0 120 x 120 x 12.5 41.6 250 x 250 x 12.5 92.6
60 x 60 x 5.0 8.5 150 x 150 x 5.0 22.7 250 x 250 x 16.0 117.0
60 x 60 x 6.3 10.5 150 x 150 x 6.3 28.3 300 x 300 x 8.0 73.1
70 x 70 x 3.6 7.5 150 x 150 x 8.0 35.4 300 x 300 x 10.0 90.7
70 x 70 x 5.0 10.1 150 x 150 x 10.0 43.6 300 x 300 x 12.5 112.0
70 x 70 x 6.3 12.5 150 x 150 x 12.5 53.4 300 x 300 x 16.0 142.0
80 x 80 x 3.6 8.6 150 x 150 x 16.0 66.4 350 x 350 x 8.0 85.7
80 x 80 x 5.0 11.7 180 x 180 x 5.0 27.4 350 x 350 x 12.5 132.0
80 x 80 x 6.3 14.4 180 x 180 x 6.3 34.2 350 x 350 x 16.0 167.0
90 x 90 x 3.6 9.7 180 x 180 x 8.0 43.0 400 x 400 x 10.0 122.0
90 x 90 x 5.0 13.3 180 x 180 x 10.0 53.0 400 x 400 x 12.5 152.0
90 x 90 x 6.3 16.4 180 x 180 x 12.5 65.2 400 x 400 x 16.0 192.0
100 x 100 x 4.0 12.0 180 x 180 x 16.0 81.4    

What are the key features of square hollow sections?

Our square hollow sections’ key features include uniform strength and stability, efficient fabrication and easy installation, and corrosion resistance and durability.

Uniform strength & stability

Uniform strength distribution is one of the biggest advantages of these sections. Their load-bearing capacity in all directions is ensured by the symmetrical design that enhances structural stability. This property makes these steel sections an excellent choice in bridges, buildings, support structures, and other high-load applications.

Efficient fabrication & easy installation

Designed for efficient fabrication, square hollow sections are easy and more cost-effective to cut, join, and weld. The easy alignment enabled by their symmetrical shape allows for faster installation, cutting down on labour costs. Whether used for modular construction or large-scale infrastructure, these hollow square steel sections can be integrated seamlessly into a wide range of structural designs.

Corrosion resistance & durability

While high-quality square hollow sections already have good corrosion resistance, they can be treated with various coatings to enhance this property and provide further protection against environmental degradation. Whether installed in high-moisture or outdoor environments, these steel sections require minimal maintenance while ensuring long-term performance.

 

Compliance & standards

You can trust our square hollow sections for performance, quality, and safety, as they adhere to stringent industry standards. Some of the internationally recognised standards that our steel sections comply with include:

ASTM A500: This North American standard applies to cold-formed welded carbon steel hollow sections.

EN 10210: Our hot-finished structural hollow sections comply with this standard.

EN 10219: This standard is for cold-formed welded structural hollow sections.

ISO 9001: Our square steel hollow sections boast this quality management system certification, assuring you of reliability.

 

What are the applications of square hollow sections?

The versatility and structural efficiency of square hollow sections from SPS sees them used across multiple industries. Some of their most common and important applications include:

Agriculture & fencing: These sections are often used in greenhouse frames, enclosures for livestock, and security fencing.

Architecture & construction: Hollow square steel sections are used in columns, frames, and load-bearing structures for commercial and residential buildings.

Energy & offshore projects: Square hollow sections are commonly used in energy sector applications requiring robust materials, such as oil rigs and wind turbines.

Engineering & manufacturing: These sections are used in engineering and manufacturing applications such as conveyor systems, machinery frames, and mechanical structures.

Infrastructure & transport: These square sections play an essential role in bridges, railway structures, and tunnels, where they provide impressive strength and durability.

 

What are the different grades of square hollow sections?

Choose from square hollow sections manufactured from different steel grades to suit specific applications and performance requirements. Among those available at SPS are:

S235JR & S275JR: These steel grades indicating different strength levels offer moderate strength and good weldability.

S275J2 & S355J2 (EN 10210 & EN 10219): These high-strength grades are a good choice for demanding load-bearing applications.

S420MH & S460NH: Indicating exceptional strength, these grades are suitable for heavy-duty applications.

ASTM A500 (grades A, B, C, and D): Widely used in North America, these grades indicate various strength levels for different engineering needs.

 

Why choose SPS for square hollow sections?

SPS has been a trusted supplier of steel sections and other products since 1965. Our premium quality products are manufactured to comply with the highest and most recent international standards to ensure safety and performance. We offer an extensive inventory with a wide range of square hollow section sizes and grades to meet diverse application and project requirements.

Our prices offer value for money, while our prompt delivery service helps keep your projects on schedule. Turn to our team of specialists for guidance on material selection and suitability for various applications. SPS is committed to sourcing responsibly produced steel and offering environmentally friendly solutions to help our clients reduce their carbon footprint.


Trust SPS for square hollow sections

Square hollow sections are the go-to choice for a wide range of projects and applications in construction, engineering, manufacturing, and at home. Strong and durable, these sections are among the most versatile of all hollow steel sections.

At SPS, we are committed to providing steel sections that meet international standards for performance, reliability, safety, and strength. Whether you need these sections for a unique engineering solution, large-scale infrastructure, or a project at home, our expert team is here to assist you. Contact us today about the best square hollow section dimensions for your project and find the ideal components.

Fill in the form and we will get back to you with a quote, or alternatively contact us using the details below...

T. +44 141 445 2591 - Glasgow
T. +44 121 313 4300 - Birmingham
T. +44 141 440 5860 - Bellshill
T. +44 122 470 2771 - Aberdeen
T. +91 982 080 7101 - India/Middle East
E. sales@sps-bmsteel.co.uk

 

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