RHS 200×120×12.5 vs RHS 200×150×12
RHS 200×120×12.5 is an RHS Hot-finished section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); RHS 200×150×12 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 455 cm³ against 463 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 1.7%. RHS 200×120×12.5 is the lighter of the two at 56.6 kg/m against 58.5 kg/m, a saving of 3.2% on steel weight. Both are about 200 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | RHS 200×120×12.5 RHS Hot-finished | RHS 200×150×12 RHS Cold-formed | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 56.6 kg/m | 58.5 kg/m | -3.2% |
| Depth | 200 mm | 200 mm | same |
| Width | 120 mm | 150 mm | -20.0% |
| Web thickness | 0 mm | 0 mm | same |
| Flange thickness | 0 mm | 0 mm | same |
| Area | 72.1 cm² | 72.1 cm² | same |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 3,580 cm⁴ | 3,668 cm⁴ | -2.4% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 455 cm³ | 463 cm³ | -1.7% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 358 cm³ | 367 cm³ | -2.5% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 1,560 cm⁴ | 2,353 cm⁴ | -33.7% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 314 cm³ | 380 cm³ | -17.4% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 4.66 cm | 5.71 cm | -18.4% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 3,570 cm⁴ | 5,099 cm⁴ | -30.0% |
RHS 200×120×12.5 to BS EN 10210-2:2006; RHS 200×150×12 to EN 10219 · Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to RHS 200×150×12.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, RHS 200×150×12 has the larger second moment of area: 3,668 cm⁴ against 3,580 cm⁴, a difference of 2.4%. 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 (8.0 against 7.9 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.
The two diverge much more about the minor axis: RHS 200×150×12 has 380 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 314 cm³, 17.4% 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 3.2% weight.
In short, RHS 200×150×12 is the stronger section and RHS 200×120×12.5 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.