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IS 3954:1991 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for hot rolled steel channel sections for general engineering purposes – dimensions. This standard specifies the nominal dimensions, mass, and cross-sectional properties of hot-rolled steel channel sections intended for general engineering, machinery bases, and structural applications not covered under standard structural steel codes.
Hot Rolled Steel Channel Sections for General Engineering Purposes – Dimensions
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Frequently Used
Domain
Structural Engineering — Structural Engineering and Structural Sections
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! Verify market availability of specific channel sizes before finalizing designs, as some profiles may require large minimum order quantities.
! Material grades (like E250 as per IS 2062) must be specified separately as this code only covers dimensional properties.
! Sectional properties from Table 1 are directly used for defining custom structural steel sections in finite element software like STAAD.Pro or 3D detailing software like Tekla.
EN 10365:2017CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Hot rolled steel channels, I and H sections - Dimensions and masses
Specifies dimensions for hot-rolled U-channels, with UPN series (tapered flange) being similar to ISMC.
ASTM A6/A6M - 21ASTM International, USA
HighCurrent
Standard Specification for General Requirements for Rolled Structural Steel Bars, Plates, Shapes, and Sheet Piling
Defines dimensions and tolerances for American Standard Channels ('C' Shapes) which are tapered flange channels.
JIS G 3192:2014JSA (Japanese Standards Association), Japan
HighCurrent
Dimensions, mass and permissible variations of hot rolled steel sections
Provides dimensions for hot-rolled steel channels ([ sections) with tapered flanges.
AS/NZS 3679.1:2016Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand, Australia/New Zealand
MediumCurrent
Structural steel - Part 1: Hot-rolled bars and sections
Covers Tapered Flange Channels (TFC), which are functionally similar but the dimensional series differs.
Key Differences
≠IS 3954 defines channel series like ISMC (Medium Weight), ISJC (Junior), and ISLC (Light Weight). International standards use different designations, such as UPN/UPE (Europe) or C-Shapes (USA).
≠While IS 3954 primarily focuses on traditional tapered flange channels, modern standards like EN 10365 also extensively cover Parallel Flange Channels (UPE series), which are often preferred in modern construction.
≠For a given nominal depth, the specific combination of flange width, web thickness, flange thickness, and mass per meter often differs. Direct substitution is generally not possible without re-calculation.
≠Dimensional and straightness tolerances are specified in different supporting standards. IS 3954 refers to IS 1852, whereas EN standards refer to EN 10029 and ASTM refers to tolerances within A6/A6M.
Key Similarities
≈All standards cover hot-rolled steel channel sections intended for general structural and engineering applications.
≈The fundamental 'C' or 'U' geometry, consisting of a vertical web and two horizontal flanges, is common to all standards.
≈ISMC sections, European UPN sections, and American C-Shapes all feature tapered inner flange surfaces, representing a similar manufacturing tradition and design concept.
≈All standards provide tabulated data for essential design parameters, including depth, width, web and flange thickness, mass per meter, cross-sectional area, and moments of inertia.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Section Designation (for ~200mm depth)
ISMC 200
UPN 200
EN 10365
Depth (h) for ISMC 200
200 mm
200 mm
EN 10365 (for UPN 200)
Flange Width (b) for ISMC 200
75 mm
75 mm
EN 10365 (for UPN 200)
Web Thickness (t_w) for ISMC 200
6.1 mm
8.5 mm
EN 10365 (for UPN 200)
Average Flange Thickness (t_f) for ISMC 200
11.4 mm
11.5 mm
EN 10365 (for UPN 200)
Mass per Meter for ISMC 200
22.1 kg/m
25.3 kg/m
EN 10365 (for UPN 200)
Inner Flange Slope
1:6 (approx. 16.7%)
16.67% (or 2 in 12)
ASTM A6/A6M (for C-Shapes)
Root Radius (r1) for ISMC 200
13.0 mm
11.5 mm
EN 10365 (for UPN 200)
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values2
Quick Reference Values
Density of steel assumed for mass calculation7.85 g/cm³
Standard delivery lengths5 to 13 m
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Dimensions, Mass and Sectional Properties of Hot Rolled Steel Channel Sections
What is the primary difference between IS 808 and IS 3954?+
IS 808 covers standard structural beam, channel, and angle sections, whereas IS 3954 caters to specific channel profiles intended for general engineering purposes.
Does this standard specify the chemical or mechanical properties of the steel?+
No, it focuses strictly on dimensions, mass, and sectional properties. Mechanical properties are determined by separate material codes like IS 2062.
What specific sectional properties are detailed in the standard?+
It provides nominal depth, flange width, web thickness, flange thickness, mass per metre, cross-sectional area, moments of inertia, section modulus, and radii of gyration.