SHS 50×50×3 vs CF SHS 50×50×3
SHS 50×50×3 is an SHS Hot-finished section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); CF SHS 50×50×3 is the closest equivalent in the UK Blue Book (SCI P363). SHS 50×50×3 carries more bending: 9.7 cm³ of plastic modulus against 9.39 cm³, 3.3% more. CF SHS 50×50×3 is the lighter of the two at 4.25 kg/m against 4.35 kg/m, a saving of 2.4% on steel weight. Both are about 50 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | SHS 50×50×3 SHS Hot-finished | CF SHS 50×50×3 SHS Cold-formed | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 4.3 kg/m | 4.3 kg/m | +2.4% |
| Depth | 50 mm | 50 mm | same |
| Width | 50 mm | 50 mm | same |
| Web thickness | 0 mm | 0 mm | same |
| Flange thickness | 0 mm | 0 mm | same |
| Area | 5.5 cm² | 5.4 cm² | +2.4% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 20.2 cm⁴ | 19.5 cm⁴ | +3.6% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 9.7 cm³ | 9.39 cm³ | +3.3% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 8.08 cm³ | 7.79 cm³ | +3.7% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 20.2 cm⁴ | 19.5 cm⁴ | +3.6% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 9.7 cm³ | 9.39 cm³ | +3.3% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 1.91 cm | 1.9 cm | +0.5% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 32.1 cm⁴ | 32.1 cm⁴ | same |
SHS 50×50×3 to BS EN 10210-2:2006; CF SHS 50×50×3 to BS EN 10219-2:2006. Difference is expressed relative to CF SHS 50×50×3.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, SHS 50×50×3 has the larger second moment of area: 20.2 cm⁴ against 19.5 cm⁴, a difference of 3.6%. 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 (2.2 against 2.2 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 50×50×3 is the stronger section and CF SHS 50×50×3 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.