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
HSS20X8X5/8
HSS20X8X5/8 weighs 110.36 lb/ft, has a overall depth of 20 in, a cross-sectional area of 30.3 in², and an x-axis elastic section modulus Sx of 144 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
- 110.36 lb/ft
- Area
- 30.3 in²
- Overall depth
- 20 in
- Elastic Sx
- 144 in³
From designation to geometry
Reading the HSS20X8X5/8 record
The outside envelope is Ht = 20 in by B = 8 in; Ht identifies the longer side in this record. The shorter flat wall b is 6.26 in; it excludes the curved corner portions and is not the outside width B.
The designation carries a nominal wall thickness tnom of 0.625 in. This record lists design wall thickness tdes = 0.581 in, a 0.044 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 = 1,440 in⁴ and Iy = 338 in⁴ refer to the database x- and y-axes. Here Ix is numerically larger. 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 HSS20X8X5/8
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 × 110.36 lb/ft | 2,207.2 lb | 1,001.169 kg |
| 3 pieces | 3 × 2,207.2 lb | 6,621.6 lb | 3,003.507 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 HSS20X8X5/8 your way.
Every file is generated locally in your browser from the same nominal profile and AISC v16.0 reference record.
CAD, vector, and image
Use the profile in CAD, illustration, plotting, reports, or presentations.
Tables and portable data
Take a printable datasheet, spreadsheet, structured record, or plain-text table.
Extrude a nominal member
Enter a member length in inches. Mesh files are generated from the nominal reference profile.
One-click package
Complete 2D + data bundle
DXF, SVG, EPS, HPGL, PDF, PNG, WebP, CSV, XLSX, JSON, XML, YAML, TXT, and Markdown in one ZIP.
Choose a format. Files stay in your browser and are not uploaded.
Dimensions & properties
HSS20X8X5/8 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
- 110.36 lb/ft
- A Area
- 30.3 in²
- Ht HSS overall depth
- 20 in
- h HSS flat depth
- 18.3 in
- B HSS overall width
- 8 in
- b HSS flat width / angle leg dimension b
- 6.26 in
- tnom Nominal wall thickness
- 0.625 in
- tdes Design wall thickness
- 0.581 in
X-axis properties
- Ix X-axis moment of inertia
- 1,440 in⁴
- Zx X-axis plastic section modulus
- 185 in³
- Sx X-axis elastic section modulus
- 144 in³
- rx X-axis radius of gyration
- 6.89 in
Y- and z-axis properties
- Iy Y-axis moment of inertia
- 338 in⁴
- Zy Y-axis plastic section modulus
- 96.4 in³
- Sy Y-axis elastic section modulus
- 84.6 in³
- ry Y-axis radius of gyration
- 3.34 in
Torsion, warping & perimeters
- J Torsional constant
- 916 in⁴
Compare published reference values
HSS20X8X5/8 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSS20X8X5/8 (this record) | 110.36 | 20 | 30.3 | 1,440 | 338 |
| HSS20X8X3/4 | 130.33 | 20 | 35.9 | 1,670 | 388 |
| HSS20X8X1/2 | 89.68 | 20 | 24.6 | 1,190 | 283 |
Relative to HSS20X8X5/8, HSS20X8X3/4 changes nominal weight by +19.97 lb/ft, listed overall depth by 0 in, and area by +5.6 in². At the same hypothetical 20 ft length, the nominal weight difference is +399.4 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