H-beams get the attention, but square and rectangular hollow sections (SHS and RHS) do some of the most elegant work in steel buildings. These tube-shaped members are the quiet specialists of modern steel construction.
1. What they are
SHS and RHS are steel tubes with square or rectangular cross-sections, cold-formed or hot-rolled, and welded along the seam. Common uses: columns of small buildings, bracing, truss chords, purlins in some systems, handrails and architectural members.
2. Why engineers choose them
Strength in every direction: a tube resists bending and buckling equally in both axes, unlike an H-beam which is strong in one direction only.
Clean aesthetics: sharp lines and smooth faces suit exposed architecture, handrails, staircases and facade structures.
Good compression behaviour: for columns and compression bracing, tubes are highly efficient - less steel for the same capacity.
Torsional resistance: tubes resist twisting far better than open sections.
3. When H-beams still win
For main portal frame rafters and columns carrying heavy one-way bending, H-sections remain the efficient choice. Tubes excel where loads come from several directions, where appearance matters, or where buckling in two directions is a concern.
4. Connection notes for buyers
Hollow sections are normally connected with gusset plates, welded end plates or special fittings - bolted connections need care. Ask the supplier how the tubes will be joined and confirmed in the shop drawings.
In short: square and rectangular hollow sections bring strength, efficiency and clean appearance to columns, bracing and architectural steel. They complement H-beams rather than replace them - and a good design uses each section where it earns its steel.
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