HSS offer increased strength over wide-flange beams, so builders can use less of it and still exceed strength requirements.Įditor’s Note: This article is based on “The Growth of HSS Applications,” presented by Al Bohlen, vice president and general manager, Mazak Optonics Corp., Elgin, Ill., at The FABRICATOR’s Leadership Summit, Feb. More builders are using HSS not just for their dramatic effect but their economic one as well. Although this is something that most people don’t think about when ordering curved structural steel, it is something that bending and rolling companies can adjust on request to make a piece more aesthetically pleasing.The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland makes extensive use of hollow structural sections, or HSS. Often with square or rectangular members the weld seam will be placed where it is most aesthetically pleasing to the customer after rolling. But if requested, the seam can be put in other locations. Typically with either a round tube or pipe, the weld seam will be located on the neutral axis, which is the centerline radius of the bend. Round HSS Weld Seams on the Centerline Axis of Bend

Rectangular Tubes Curved with Weld Seam on Inside Top Face Different mills produce members with welds in different places and some mills forego this step entirely by producing more expensive seamless pipe.

These decisions become more difficult on square and rectangular sections if the seam is not centered on any of the sides. The bender roller companies have the option to put the weld seam on the inside radius of the bend, the outside radius of the bend, or on the centerline radius of the bend. Prior to bending or rolling the HSS, they must make the decision on where to locate the weld seam of the steel member. A portion of these HSS will end up in the hands of companies which will bend or roll them.

Once the HSS is formed into its final shape, it is cut into the desired lengths and shipped out. After these pieces are welded, the hollow structural section will go through the final forming process. Once the piece is formed the two edges are ready to be welded. The manufacturing process starts with a flat steel plate that is slowly formed into a round or rectangular shape. Square and rectangular hollow structural sections (commonly abbreviated as HSS), are crafted the same way as pipe and tube.

Welding of hss square