CHS 457×12.5 vs CF CHS 457×12.5
CHS 457×12.5 is an CHS Hot-finished section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); CF CHS 457×12.5 is the closest equivalent in the UK Blue Book (SCI P363). They are close to interchangeable in bending: 2470 cm³ against 2470 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.0%. They weigh essentially the same, 137 kg/m and 137 kg/m. Both are about 457 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | CHS 457×12.5 CHS Hot-finished | CF CHS 457×12.5 CHS Cold-formed | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 137 kg/m | 137 kg/m | same |
| Depth | 457 mm | 457 mm | same |
| Width | 457 mm | 457 mm | same |
| Web thickness | 0 mm | 0 mm | same |
| Flange thickness | 0 mm | 0 mm | same |
| Area | 175 cm² | 175 cm² | same |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 43,100 cm⁴ | 43,100 cm⁴ | same |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 2,470 cm³ | 2,470 cm³ | same |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 1,890 cm³ | 1,890 cm³ | same |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 43,100 cm⁴ | 43,100 cm⁴ | same |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 2,470 cm³ | 2,470 cm³ | same |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 15.7 cm | 15.7 cm | same |
| Torsion constant (It) | 86,300 cm⁴ | 86,300 cm⁴ | same |
CHS 457×12.5 to BS EN 10210-2:2006; CF CHS 457×12.5 to BS EN 10219-2:2006. Difference is expressed relative to CF CHS 457×12.5.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, CF CHS 457×12.5 has the larger second moment of area: 43,100 cm⁴ against 43,100 cm⁴, a difference of 0.0%. This matters more often than the strength comparison, because on normal floor spans deflection rather than bending capacity sets the beam size - so if the two are close on modulus but apart on inertia, the stiffer one is usually the better answer even when it is not the stronger one.
Measured as bending capacity per kilogram, the two are equally efficient (18.0 against 18.0 cm³ per kg/m), so on a pure steel-tonnage basis there is nothing to choose between them. The decision comes down to availability, connection detailing and what the rest of the frame uses.
In short, these two are genuine equivalents. Pick whichever your supplier stocks and the rest of the frame already uses.