HSS Insider – Nov. 2024 – HSS and WF Comparative Case Study

November 2024 | Issue #30

Case Study: Compare Economy of HSS and WF in a 5-Story Building

Looking to reduce tonnage and cost on your next project? This case study compares the use of HSS and wide-flange columns and braces in a five-story office building. Explore side-by-side comparisons of material and labor costs, Global Warming Potential, connections and fireproofing, to support informed decisions on your next project.

See the Case Study in Action: On-Demand Webinar

Dive deeper into the project highlighted in the HSS and WF Comparative Case Study by watching this recorded webinar. Discover how HSS can deliver greater structural efficiency, cost savings, and reduced tonnage while also achieving a lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) for this project. Earn 1.0 PDH upon completion. This webinar is available with an HSS Professional Membership.

Related Resources

HSS and WF Column Selection Guide

Reduce weight, cut costs, and minimize environmental impact with STI’s free HSS and WF Column Selection Guide. Quickly compare axial compression strength, weight savings, and surface area. By choosing the most efficient columns, you will reduce material tonnage, costs, fireproofing and Global Warming Potential (GWP), all while optimizing your structural design. Download the guide today to make smarter, more sustainable choices for your projects.

Optimizing Sustainable Structures With HSS: A Comprehensive Guide

Did you know? HSS has comparable, and sometimes even lower GWP than Wide Flange, when comparing equivalent capacity. Check out Table D in our Comprehensive Sustainability Guide to see the Steel Columns of Comparable Capacity: Comparison of Steel Weight and Steel GWP.

Expert Tips for Cost-Effective HSS Specification and Fabrication

HSS are an increasingly popular choice in structural steel design. They offer superior strength-to-weight ratios, and their smooth and uniform appearance makes them an attractive option for architectural applications. However, when appropriate considerations are not taken, fabrication can be challenging and expensive. Read this article for insights on cost savings with HSS, including our comparison of the relative cost of WF to HSS connection types.

STI In The News

Advancing Seismic Research: STI’s $180,000 Commitment to Vital Research

We are proud to announce that our member companies, through the Steel Tube Institute, have contributed an impressive $180,000 over the past two years to support critical research at the University of Washington (PI: Dawn Lehman), University of California San Diego (PI: Chia-Ming Ung), and the University of Michigan (PI: Jason McCormack). Additionally, members have provided support in materials, transportation, and technical consulting to ensure the success of these essential studies.

Co-funded by the American Institute of Steel Construction, this initiative underscores the commitment of STI and our HSS producers to advancing the understanding of seismic performance in structural steel design. Their generous contributions are helping to redefine the future of our industry through enhanced design standards.

Thank you to all involved—this achievement wouldn’t be possible without your support!