Common context
Common project roles include columns, braces, truss chords and webs, canopies, equipment framing, and architecturally exposed structural steel.
AISC v16.0 · HSS shape
HSS16X16X3/8
HSS16X16X3/8 weighs 78.52 lb/ft, has a overall depth of 16 in, a cross-sectional area of 21.5 in², and an x-axis elastic section modulus Sx of 109 in³. Open the full US customary property record or generate 2D, data, report, and 3D reference files locally in your browser.
Nominal profile
Units · inches
Building nominal profile…
- Weight
- 78.52 lb/ft
- Area
- 21.5 in²
- Overall depth
- 16 in
- Elastic Sx
- 109 in³
From designation to geometry
Reading the HSS16X16X3/8 record
The outside envelope is Ht = 16 in by B = 16 in; the two outside dimensions are equal. The shorter flat wall b is 15 in; it excludes the curved corner portions and is not the outside width B.
The designation carries a nominal wall thickness tnom of 0.375 in. This record lists design wall thickness tdes = 0.349 in, a 0.026 in difference. Keep the two fields separate when transferring data; do not infer a product specification or substitute a different HSS dataset from the name alone.
Ix = 873 in⁴ and Iy = 873 in⁴ refer to the database x- and y-axes. The two listed values are equal. Axis letters are labels, not a guarantee that x is always the larger axis. These are geometric properties, not allowable loads or complete member capacities.
Match the axis and dimension conventions to the figures in the AISC v16.0 workbook Readme. The profile above simplifies manufacturing geometry; its outline is not used to recalculate the published properties.
Worked quantity example
Nominal weight for HSS16X16X3/8
Assume 3 pieces, each 20 ft (6.096 m) long. This is a hypothetical quantity example, not a stock-length or lifting recommendation.
| Quantity | Calculation | Nominal pounds | Kilogram equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| One 20 ft piece | 20 ft × 78.52 lb/ft | 1,570.4 lb | 712.321 kg |
| 3 pieces | 3 × 1,570.4 lb | 4,711.2 lb | 2,136.964 kg |
Conversion: 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg; displayed results are rounded. This multiplication excludes connection plates, bolts, weld metal, coatings, cutting allowances and actual material variation. Use the material takeoff for your own lengths and quantities.
Shape family context
What is a hollow structural section?
An HSS is a closed structural tube with square, rectangular, or round outside geometry. Closed sections provide useful biaxial and torsional behavior and are often selected for columns, braces, trusses, exposed framing, and space-conscious conditions.
Learn how shape properties workDetailing watch
Distinguish nominal from design wall thickness, check corner and weld-seam conventions, and coordinate connection access, venting, drainage, galvanizing, and concealed weld requirements.
Portable reference files
Download HSS16X16X3/8 your way.
Every file is generated locally in your browser from the same nominal profile and AISC v16.0 reference record.
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Tables and portable data
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Extrude a nominal member
Enter a member length in inches. Mesh files are generated from the nominal reference profile.
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Dimensions & properties
HSS16X16X3/8 reference data.
Values below are derived from the AISC Shapes Database v16.0 in US customary units. A dash indicates that a property is not applicable or not included for this family.
Nominal dimensions
- W Nominal weight
- 78.52 lb/ft
- A Area
- 21.5 in²
- Ht HSS overall depth
- 16 in
- h HSS flat depth
- 15 in
- B HSS overall width
- 16 in
- b HSS flat width / angle leg dimension b
- 15 in
- tnom Nominal wall thickness
- 0.375 in
- tdes Design wall thickness
- 0.349 in
X-axis properties
- Ix X-axis moment of inertia
- 873 in⁴
- Zx X-axis plastic section modulus
- 126 in³
- Sx X-axis elastic section modulus
- 109 in³
- rx X-axis radius of gyration
- 6.37 in
Y- and z-axis properties
- Iy Y-axis moment of inertia
- 873 in⁴
- Zy Y-axis plastic section modulus
- 126 in³
- Sy Y-axis elastic section modulus
- 109 in³
- ry Y-axis radius of gyration
- 6.37 in
Torsion, warping & perimeters
- J Torsional constant
- 1,350 in⁴
Compare published reference values
HSS16X16X3/8 alongside nearby HSS records
These records share the same nominal series, outside envelope or leg arrangement, depending on the family. Peers are ordered by absolute weight difference, then listed depth and designation. The table does not rank structural performance or approve a substitution.
| Record | Weight (lb/ft) | Overall depth (in) | Area (in²) | Ix (in⁴) | Iy (in⁴) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSS16X16X3/8 (this record) | 78.52 | 16 | 21.5 | 873 | 873 |
| HSS16X16X5/16 | 65.87 | 16 | 18.1 | 739 | 739 |
| HSS16X16X1/2 | 103.3 | 16 | 28.3 | 1,130 | 1,130 |
Relative to HSS16X16X3/8, HSS16X16X5/16 changes nominal weight by -12.65 lb/ft, listed overall depth by 0 in, and area by -3.4 in². At the same hypothetical 20 ft length, the nominal weight difference is -253 lb.
Open these records in the full comparison tool
Compare the remaining dimensions, axis conventions, grade, availability and project requirements separately. Weight or section-property similarity does not establish matching connection geometry or member capacity.
Data is derived from the AISC Shapes Database v16.0, consistent with the AISC Steel Construction Manual, 16th Edition, 1st Printing. AISC advises professional verification before use in a specific application. The downloadable DXF is a nominal reference profile and may simplify rolled fillets, flange tapers, angle radii, HSS corner radii, and other manufacturing geometry. Verify all dimensions and suitability before design, detailing, ordering, or fabrication.
From reference to deliverable