APL Apollo Hollow Section Weight Chart — SHS, RHS and CHS

APL Apollo hollow section weight ranges from 1.36 kg/m for a 25×25×2.0mm SHS up to 18.01 kg/m for a 200×100×4.0mm RHS, as per the APL Apollo Structura catalogue conforming to IS 4923:1997. Whether you are estimating material for a gate, a canopy frame, or an industrial rack, the figures below — sourced directly from the IS 4923 property tables — will save you the calculation time.

Weight Formula for SHS, RHS and CHS

Every hollow section weight calculation starts with the same principle: multiply cross-section area by steel density (7.85 g/cm³) and length. The formulas below are derived from that first principle. APL Apollo manufactures its Structura range on HFIW (High Frequency Induction Welding) tube mills — the same technology used by Kusakabe of Japan — which produces consistent wall thickness and accurate corner radii. Actual catalogue weights are typically 2–4% lower than the sharp-corner formula because the rounded corners remove a small amount of material.

On the shop floor you'll often hear: "apl apollo square pipe ka wajan kaise nikale?" — here are the three formulas you need:

SHS (Square Hollow Section):
Weight (kg/m) = 0.0314 × t × (a − t)
Where a = outer side dimension (mm), t = wall thickness (mm)

RHS (Rectangular Hollow Section):
Weight (kg/m) = 0.0314 × t × (B + D − 2t) / 2
Where B = wider face (mm), D = narrower face (mm), t = wall thickness (mm)

CHS (Circular Hollow Section):
Weight (kg/m) = 0.02466 × t × (OD − t)
Where OD = outside diameter (mm), t = wall thickness (mm)

The formula constant 0.0314 = π/2 × 7.85 × 10⁻³, and 0.02466 = π × 7.85 × 10⁻³. Both are simply the steel density constant scaled for mm inputs and kg/m output. You can verify any result using our free Metal Weight Calculator → — select SHS or RHS, enter your dimensions, and the tool applies the same formula instantly.

APL Apollo Structura SHS Weight Chart (IS 4923)

The table below lists unit weights for the most commonly ordered SHS sizes from the APL Apollo Structura range. Section area values are taken from the IS 4923:1997 / EN 10219-1:2006 / ASTM A-500 property table published by APL Apollo. All weights include the corner radius deduction as specified in the standard.

Note: APL Apollo also supplies SHS up to 250×250mm in grades YST 240 and YST 310. For sizes above 100×100mm, request the extended property table from your nearest APL Apollo stockist.

APL Apollo Structura RHS Weight Chart (IS 4923)

Rectangular hollow sections are used where the loading is predominantly in one direction — lintels, purlins, and horizontal members in portal frames are typical examples. The APL Apollo Structura RHS range runs from 50×25mm up to 300×200mm.

Worked Example — Security Gate Frame in 50×50×2.5mm SHS

A fabricator needs to estimate steel for a driveway security gate. The frame design calls for 5 vertical uprights at 2.4 m each and 2 horizontal rails at 3.0 m each, all in APL Apollo Structura 50×50×2.5mm SHS, grade YST 240.

Given:

• Section: APL Apollo 50×50×2.5mm SHS (IS 4923, YST 240)
• 5 uprights × 2.4 m = 12.0 m
• 2 horizontal rails × 3.0 m = 6.0 m
• Total run: 12.0 + 6.0 = 18.0 m

Step 1 — Weight per metre:
W = 0.0314 × t × (a − t) = 0.0314 × 2.5 × (50 − 2.5)
= 0.0314 × 2.5 × 47.5 = 3.73 kg/m
(Matches the 3.73 kg/m value in the SHS chart above — confirming the formula against the catalogue.)

Step 2 — Total weight:
18.0 m × 3.73 kg/m = 67.1 kg

Procurement note: APL Apollo supplies SHS in standard lengths of 6 m. For this gate you need 18 m ÷ 6 m = 3 full lengths. Ask your stockist whether welded joints are permitted mid-upright; if not, order cut-to-length service. APL Apollo hollow sections also have up to 30% higher strength-to-weight ratio than equivalent open sections like angles and channels, which is why they are the go-to choice for compact gate frames.

Cross-check this result using the free Metal Weight Calculator → — select SHS, enter 50mm × 50mm × 2.5mm wall, set length to 18,000 mm, and compare.

Circular Hollow Section (CHS) Weights — IS 1161

APL Apollo CHS (Circular Hollow Sections) for structural use conform to IS 1161:1998 rather than IS 4923. The distinction matters on procurement documents — specifying the wrong standard can cause confusion with round ERW black pipes that fall under IS 1239. Use IS 1161 when the tube is carrying structural loads; use IS 1239 for plumbing and gas distribution.

For a detailed guide on pipe weight calculation including the CHS formula with fully worked examples, refer to our article on how to calculate pipe weight →.

IS 4923 vs IS 1161 — Which Standard Applies

This is one of the most common points of confusion when raising a purchase order for hollow sections in India.

IS 4923:1997 covers cold-formed SHS and RHS for structural use. It specifies yield strength grades (YST 210, 240, 310, 50C), dimensional tolerances, and impact test requirements for structural frames, trusses, and machine guards. APL Apollo Structura SHS and RHS both fall under this standard. Tata Structura's SHS/RHS range is another well-known product conforming to IS 4923.

IS 1161:1998 covers circular tubes specifically intended for structural purposes. These are the round sections you would use for handrails, canopy columns, or roof purlin supports where a circular profile is required.

The practical rule: if it is square or rectangular, specify IS 4923. If it is round and structural, specify IS 1161. If it is round and carrying water or gas, that is IS 1239 territory — different standard, different test regime, and different pricing.