SHS 400×400×14.2 vs SHS 400×400×16
SHS 400×400×14.2 is an SHS Hot-finished section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); SHS 400×400×16 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. SHS 400×400×16 carries more bending: 3322 cm³ of plastic modulus against 3130 cm³, 5.8% more. SHS 400×400×14.2 is the lighter of the two at 170 kg/m against 188 kg/m, a saving of 9.6% on steel weight. Both are about 400 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | SHS 400×400×14.2 SHS Hot-finished | SHS 400×400×16 SHS Cold-formed | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 170 kg/m | 188 kg/m | -9.6% |
| Depth | 400 mm | 400 mm | same |
| Width | 400 mm | 400 mm | same |
| Web thickness | 0 mm | 0 mm | same |
| Flange thickness | 0 mm | 0 mm | same |
| Area | 217 cm² | 235 cm² | -7.7% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 53,500 cm⁴ | 56,150 cm⁴ | -4.7% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 3,130 cm³ | 3,322 cm³ | -5.8% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 2,680 cm³ | 2,808 cm³ | -4.6% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 53,500 cm⁴ | 56,150 cm⁴ | -4.7% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 3,130 cm³ | 3,322 cm³ | -5.8% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 15.7 cm | 15.5 cm | +1.3% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 83,000 cm⁴ | 93,280 cm⁴ | -11.0% |
SHS 400×400×14.2 to BS EN 10210-2:2006; SHS 400×400×16 to EN 10219 · Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to SHS 400×400×16.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, SHS 400×400×16 has the larger second moment of area: 56,150 cm⁴ against 53,500 cm⁴, a difference of 4.7%. 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, SHS 400×400×14.2 is the more efficient section: 18.4 against 17.7 cm³ per kg/m, 4.2% 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.
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 9.6% weight.
In short, SHS 400×400×16 is the stronger section and SHS 400×400×14.2 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.