What is the design wall thickness of an HSS 5x4x1/2 inch?

To determine the design wall thickness of a hollow structural section (HSS) such as the HSS 5x4x1/2 inch, the nominal dimension is important. The designation "HSS 5x4x1/2" indicates that the section has an overall width of 5 inches, a height of 4 inches, and a nominal wall thickness of 1/2 inch.

However, the actual design wall thickness is often calculated based on the manufacturer's specifications and the applicable design standards. For HSS sections, the design wall thickness may be adjusted for factors like the material grade and specific design requirements, which can influence the effective thickness used in calculations.

In this case, the wall thickness can be derived using typical values for various structural steel calculations, which often involve adjustments for effective structural behavior. The design wall thickness is considered to be .465 inch, reflecting the effective or actual thickness once manufacturing tolerances and standard material practices are considered. This value aligns with industry practice for accounting for the design loads and material properties.

The other answers do not accurately reflect the effective or adjusted dimension used for structural calculations in this context. Therefore, recognizing the distinction between nominal and design parameters is crucial in understanding why .465 inch is