Rectangular Tube Load Calculator — RHS & SHS Beam
Check RHS or SHS bending stress, deflection and estimated load capacity for steel, stainless steel or aluminum with simple, fixed or cantilever supports.
Rectangular tube beam check
Preliminary elastic check for RHS or SHS beams. Compare bending stress, deflection and a load estimate.
Tube and loading
Beam response
Utilization
Section properties
What this calculator checks
It models a straight prismatic rectangular or square hollow metal tube in small elastic bending. Results include major-axis inertia, section modulus, bending stress, center deflection and a live-load estimate.
Support and load cases
Choose a full-span uniform load or a point load, with ideal simple supports, fixed ends or a cantilever. The point load acts at midspan for two-ended beams and at the free end for a cantilever. Real connection stiffness is often between ideal cases.
Why orientation matters
Depth is raised to the third power in the inertia equation. Turning a rectangular tube so its taller side is vertical can reduce deflection substantially without changing its weight.
Units and self-weight
Metric and US inputs are converted to a single N–mm calculation. Optional self-weight is derived from the ideal sharp-corner section area and the selected material density. Material presets set elastic modulus, density and a typical yield strength; verify the actual grade before use.
Frequently asked questions
Does higher-yield steel reduce deflection?
No. Yield strength changes the stress limit, while elastic deflection primarily depends on load, span, modulus and section inertia.
Is this an AISC or Eurocode design check?
No. It is a transparent preliminary elastic screen, not a complete code check or a substitute for a structural engineer.
Why can deflection govern before strength?
Long spans amplify deflection by the third or fourth power of length, so a beam can remain below yield but still be too flexible for serviceability.
