SHS 50×50×3.6 vs CF SHS 50×50×4
SHS 50×50×3.6 is an SHS Hot-finished section from the UK Blue Book (SCI P363); CF SHS 50×50×4 is the closest equivalent in the UK Blue Book (SCI P363). CF SHS 50×50×4 carries more bending: 11.7 cm³ of plastic modulus against 11.3 cm³, 3.4% more. SHS 50×50×3.6 is the lighter of the two at 5.14 kg/m against 5.45 kg/m, a saving of 5.7% on steel weight. Both are about 50 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | SHS 50×50×3.6 SHS Hot-finished | CF SHS 50×50×4 SHS Cold-formed | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 5.1 kg/m | 5.5 kg/m | -5.7% |
| 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 | 6.5 cm² | 7 cm² | -5.9% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 23.2 cm⁴ | 23.7 cm⁴ | -2.1% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 11.3 cm³ | 11.7 cm³ | -3.4% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 9.27 cm³ | 9.49 cm³ | -2.3% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 23.2 cm⁴ | 23.7 cm⁴ | -2.1% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 11.3 cm³ | 11.7 cm³ | -3.4% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 1.88 cm | 1.85 cm | +1.6% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 37.2 cm⁴ | 40.4 cm⁴ | -7.9% |
SHS 50×50×3.6 to BS EN 10210-2:2006; CF SHS 50×50×4 to BS EN 10219-2:2006. Difference is expressed relative to CF SHS 50×50×4.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, CF SHS 50×50×4 has the larger second moment of area: 23.7 cm⁴ against 23.2 cm⁴, a difference of 2.1%. 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 50×50×3.6 is the more efficient section: 2.2 against 2.1 cm³ per kg/m, 2.4% 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.
In short, CF SHS 50×50×4 is the stronger section and SHS 50×50×3.6 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.