SHS 300×300×6.3 vs SHS 300×300×6
SHS 300×300×6.3 is an SHS Hot-finished section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); SHS 300×300×6 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. SHS 300×300×6.3 carries more bending: 809 cm³ of plastic modulus against 764 cm³, 5.9% more. SHS 300×300×6 is the lighter of the two at 54.7 kg/m against 57.8 kg/m, a saving of 5.7% on steel weight. Both are about 300 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | SHS 300×300×6.3 SHS Hot-finished | SHS 300×300×6 SHS Cold-formed | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 57.8 kg/m | 54.7 kg/m | +5.7% |
| Depth | 300 mm | 300 mm | same |
| Width | 300 mm | 300 mm | same |
| Web thickness | 0 mm | 0 mm | same |
| Flange thickness | 0 mm | 0 mm | same |
| Area | 73.6 cm² | 69.6 cm² | +5.7% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 10,500 cm⁴ | 9,964 cm⁴ | +5.4% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 809 cm³ | 764 cm³ | +5.9% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 703 cm³ | 664 cm³ | +5.9% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 10,500 cm⁴ | 9,964 cm⁴ | +5.4% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 809 cm³ | 764 cm³ | +5.9% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 12 cm | 12 cm | same |
| Torsion constant (It) | 16,100 cm⁴ | 15,430 cm⁴ | +4.3% |
SHS 300×300×6.3 to BS EN 10210-2:2006; SHS 300×300×6 to EN 10219 · Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to SHS 300×300×6.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, SHS 300×300×6.3 has the larger second moment of area: 10,500 cm⁴ against 9,964 cm⁴, a difference of 5.4%. 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 (14.0 against 14.0 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.
These come from different catalogues, so treat the swap as a design change rather than a like-for-like substitution. SHS Hot-finished sections are specified to BS EN 10210-2:2006 and SHS 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 5.7% weight.
In short, SHS 300×300×6.3 is the stronger section and SHS 300×300×6 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.