RHS 300×200×8 vs CF RHS 300×200×8
RHS 300×200×8 is an RHS Hot-finished section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); CF RHS 300×200×8 is the closest equivalent in the UK Blue Book (SCI P363). RHS 300×200×8 carries more bending: 779 cm³ of plastic modulus against 757 cm³, 2.9% more. CF RHS 300×200×8 is the lighter of the two at 59.1 kg/m against 60.3 kg/m, a saving of 2.0% on steel weight. Both are about 300 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | RHS 300×200×8 RHS Hot-finished | CF RHS 300×200×8 RHS Cold-formed | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 60.3 kg/m | 59.1 kg/m | +2.0% |
| Depth | 300 mm | 300 mm | same |
| Width | 200 mm | 200 mm | same |
| Web thickness | 0 mm | 0 mm | same |
| Flange thickness | 0 mm | 0 mm | same |
| Area | 76.8 cm² | 75.2 cm² | +2.1% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 9,720 cm⁴ | 9,390 cm⁴ | +3.5% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 779 cm³ | 757 cm³ | +2.9% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 648 cm³ | 626 cm³ | +3.5% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 5,180 cm⁴ | 5,040 cm⁴ | +2.8% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 589 cm³ | 574 cm³ | +2.6% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 8.22 cm | 8.19 cm | +0.4% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 10,600 cm⁴ | 10,600 cm⁴ | same |
RHS 300×200×8 to BS EN 10210-2:2006; CF RHS 300×200×8 to BS EN 10219-2:2006. Difference is expressed relative to CF RHS 300×200×8.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, RHS 300×200×8 has the larger second moment of area: 9,720 cm⁴ against 9,390 cm⁴, a difference of 3.5%. 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 (12.9 against 12.8 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, RHS 300×200×8 is the stronger section and CF RHS 300×200×8 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.