SHS 140×140×5 vs CF SHS 140×140×5
SHS 140×140×5 is an SHS Hot-finished section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); CF SHS 140×140×5 is the closest equivalent in the UK Blue Book (SCI P363). SHS 140×140×5 carries more bending: 135 cm³ of plastic modulus against 132 cm³, 2.3% more. They weigh essentially the same, 21 kg/m and 20.7 kg/m. Both are about 140 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | SHS 140×140×5 SHS Hot-finished | CF SHS 140×140×5 SHS Cold-formed | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 21 kg/m | 20.7 kg/m | +1.4% |
| Depth | 140 mm | 140 mm | same |
| Width | 140 mm | 140 mm | same |
| Web thickness | 0 mm | 0 mm | same |
| Flange thickness | 0 mm | 0 mm | same |
| Area | 26.7 cm² | 26.4 cm² | +1.1% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 807 cm⁴ | 791 cm⁴ | +2.0% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 135 cm³ | 132 cm³ | +2.3% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 115 cm³ | 113 cm³ | +1.8% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 807 cm⁴ | 791 cm⁴ | +2.0% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 135 cm³ | 132 cm³ | +2.3% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 5.5 cm | 5.48 cm | +0.4% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 1,250 cm⁴ | 1,260 cm⁴ | -0.8% |
SHS 140×140×5 to BS EN 10210-2:2006; CF SHS 140×140×5 to BS EN 10219-2:2006. Difference is expressed relative to CF SHS 140×140×5.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, SHS 140×140×5 has the larger second moment of area: 807 cm⁴ against 791 cm⁴, a difference of 2.0%. 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 (6.4 against 6.4 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, SHS 140×140×5 is the stronger section and CF SHS 140×140×5 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.