RHS 160×80×6.3 vs RHS 150×100×6.4
RHS 160×80×6.3 is an RHS Hot-finished section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); RHS 150×100×6.4 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 142 cm³ against 142 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.0%. RHS 160×80×6.3 is the lighter of the two at 22.2 kg/m against 23.2 kg/m, a saving of 4.3% on steel weight. RHS 160×80×6.3 is deeper, 160 mm against 150 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | RHS 160×80×6.3 RHS Hot-finished | RHS 150×100×6.4 RHS Cold-formed | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 22.2 kg/m | 23.2 kg/m | -4.3% |
| Depth | 160 mm | 150 mm | +6.7% |
| Width | 80 mm | 100 mm | -20.0% |
| Web thickness | 0 mm | 0 mm | same |
| Flange thickness | 0 mm | 0 mm | same |
| Area | 28.2 cm² | 29 cm² | -2.8% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 903 cm⁴ | 858 cm⁴ | +5.2% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 142 cm³ | 142 cm³ | same |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 113 cm³ | 114 cm³ | -0.9% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 299 cm⁴ | 458 cm⁴ | -34.7% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 86.8 cm³ | 107 cm³ | -18.9% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 3.26 cm | 3.98 cm | -18.1% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 730 cm⁴ | 1,005 cm⁴ | -27.4% |
RHS 160×80×6.3 to BS EN 10210-2:2006; RHS 150×100×6.4 to EN 10219 · Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to RHS 150×100×6.4.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, RHS 160×80×6.3 has the larger second moment of area: 903 cm⁴ against 858 cm⁴, a difference of 5.2%. 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 of steel, RHS 160×80×6.3 is the more efficient section: 6.4 against 6.1 cm³ per kg/m, 4.5% better. Over a floor of repeated beams that difference is real tonnage, though it is often outweighed by whichever section the fabricator can actually source.
The two diverge much more about the minor axis: RHS 150×100×6.4 has 107 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 86.8 cm³, 18.9% more. If the member sees any minor-axis bending, or if it is unrestrained over a long length and lateral-torsional buckling governs, that gap decides the comparison even though the major-axis numbers looked equivalent.
These come from different catalogues, so treat the swap as a design change rather than a like-for-like substitution. RHS Hot-finished sections are specified to BS EN 10210-2:2006 and RHS Cold-formed to EN 10219 · Continental Steel; the steel grades, tolerances and available lengths differ, connection details and bolt gauges are set out differently, and the two are rarely both stocked in the same market. Check availability before changing a section on a drawing to save 4.3% weight.
In short, RHS 150×100×6.4 is the stronger section and RHS 160×80×6.3 is the lighter one; where those are the same section, it is the clear choice, and where they are not, decide on whether your design is governed by capacity or by tonnage.