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IS 1161:2014 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for steel tubes for structural purposes - specification. This standard specifies the requirements for hot-finished and cold-formed circular steel tubes used for structural purposes. Structural engineers use this code to select the appropriate grade, dimensions, and mechanical properties for tubular elements in trusses, scaffolding, towers, and general building frames.
Specifies requirements for steel tubes suitable for structural purposes.
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! A common mistake is specifying IS 1161 for Square or Rectangular Hollow Sections (SHS/RHS). IS 1161 applies strictly to circular tubes. For SHS/RHS, IS 4923 must be referenced.
! Ensure the correct grade (e.g., YST 310) is clearly specified on drawings. The dimensions and nominal weights are identical across grades, but the load-carrying capacity varies significantly.
! If tubes are to be used in corrosive environments, explicitly specify hot-dip galvanizing in accordance with IS 4736.
EN 10210-1:2006CEN (European Committee for Standardization)
HighCurrent
Hot finished structural hollow sections of non-alloy and fine grain steels - Part 1: Technical delivery conditions
Covers hot-finished seamless and welded sections, directly aligning with IS 1161's HFS and HFW types.
ASTM A500/A500M-22ASTM International (US)
HighCurrent
Standard Specification for Cold-Formed Welded and Seamless Carbon Steel Structural Tubing in Rounds and Shapes
Specifies cold-formed welded and seamless carbon steel tubing, corresponding to IS 1161's ERW/HRIW types.
EN 10219-1:2006CEN (European Committee for Standardization)
HighCurrent
Cold formed welded structural hollow sections of non-alloy and fine grain steels - Part 1: Technical delivery conditions
Specifies cold-formed welded sections, which is equivalent to the ERW/HRIW scope within IS 1161.
JIS G 3466:2021JSA (Japanese Standards Association, Japan)
MediumCurrent
Carbon steel square and rectangular pipes for general structural purposes
Covers cold-formed carbon steel square and rectangular pipes (STKR), overlapping with IS 1161's ERW/HRIW SHS/RHS scope.
Key Differences
≠IS 1161 combines hot-finished and cold-formed tubes in one standard, whereas European practice segregates them into EN 10210 (hot) and EN 10219 (cold) due to differences in residual stresses and corner properties.
≠IS 1161 grades (YSt 210, 240, 310) do not have mandatory impact toughness requirements. In contrast, EN standards feature specific sub-grades (e.g., J2H, K2H) that require Charpy V-notch testing, crucial for low-temperature or seismic applications.
≠Grade nomenclature differs significantly. IS 1161 uses yield strength in MPa (YSt 310). EN standards use a more descriptive system (e.g., S355J2H). ASTM A500 uses lettered grades (e.g., Grade C).
≠The highest standard grade in IS 1161 is YSt 310 (310 MPa min yield). Common international standards like EN 10210/10219 and ASTM A500 offer higher standard strength grades, such as S355 (355 MPa) and Grade C (345 MPa).
Key Similarities
≈All compared standards cover the primary structural hollow section shapes: Circular (CHS), Square (SHS), and Rectangular (RHS).
≈The primary basis for material classification across IS 1161 and its international counterparts is mechanical properties, specifically minimum yield strength, tensile strength, and percentage elongation.
≈All standards mandate a similar suite of quality control tests, including tensile testing for mechanical properties, chemical analysis for composition, and a flattening test to verify the integrity of the weld in welded tubes.
≈Detailed specifications for dimensional and geometric tolerances (e.g., outside dimensions, wall thickness, length, straightness) are a common feature, ensuring product consistency and fit-up in structural applications.
What do the grades YST 210, YST 240, and YST 310 signify?+
They signify the minimum yield stress of the steel tube in MPa. For example, YST 310 has a minimum yield stress of 310 MPa.
Does IS 1161 cover square and rectangular steel sections?+
No, IS 1161 only covers circular steel tubes. IS 4923 covers square and rectangular hollow sections.
What is the acceptable tolerance on the thickness of welded structural tubes?+
±10% for all sizes of welded tubes (Clause 9.1.2).
Is the weight of the tube calculated with or without galvanizing?+
The nominal weights given in Table 3 are for black (un-galvanized) plain end tubes. If galvanized, an allowance for the zinc coating weight must be added.