H-Piles (HP Bearing Piles): Sizes, Grades & Processing
H-piles in the 22 AISC HP sizes from HP8×36 to HP18×204, commonly specified in A572 Grade 50, cut to the lengths on your pile schedule and delivered to the job site with mill test reports.
At a glance
- Sizes
- HP8×36 to HP18×204, 22 AISC sizes
- Grades
- A572 Gr. 50; A588 on request
- Processing
- Cut to length, holes and slots, galvanizing
- Paperwork
- Mill test reports with every order
H-piles (HP bearing piles) are hot-rolled sections made to be driven. Mona Steel supplies them for bearing piles, soldier piles and other foundation and shoring work, in the standard AISC sizes from 8 in. to 18 in. nominal depth.
HP is the designation on the drawings. In the field the same section is called an H-pile, HP pile or H-beam pile. Send your pile schedule and we quote the steel, the processing and the delivery on one proposal.
H-pile sizes and weights
The table lists the 22 standard AISC HP designations Mona Steel supplies and quotes. Tick every size on your pile schedule to send them in one request, or quote a single size from its row.
| Size | Weight (lb/ft) | Depth d (in.) | Flange width bf (in.) | Web tw (in.) | Flange tf (in.) | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP8 | ||||||
| HP8×36 | 36 | 8.02 | 8.16 | 0.445 | 0.445 | Quote |
| HP10 | ||||||
| HP10×42 | 42 | 9.70 | 10.1 | 0.415 | 0.420 | Quote |
| HP10×57 | 57 | 9.99 | 10.2 | 0.565 | 0.565 | Quote |
| HP12 | ||||||
| HP12×53 | 53 | 11.8 | 12.0 | 0.435 | 0.435 | Quote |
| HP12×63 | 63 | 11.9 | 12.1 | 0.515 | 0.515 | Quote |
| HP12×74 | 74 | 12.1 | 12.2 | 0.605 | 0.610 | Quote |
| HP12×84 | 84 | 12.3 | 12.3 | 0.685 | 0.685 | Quote |
| HP12×89 | 89 | 12.4 | 12.3 | 0.720 | 0.720 | Quote |
| HP14 | ||||||
| HP14×73 | 73 | 13.6 | 14.6 | 0.505 | 0.505 | Quote |
| HP14×89 | 89 | 13.8 | 14.7 | 0.615 | 0.615 | Quote |
| HP14×102 | 102 | 14.0 | 14.8 | 0.705 | 0.705 | Quote |
| HP14×117 | 117 | 14.2 | 14.9 | 0.805 | 0.805 | Quote |
| HP16 | ||||||
| HP16×88 | 88 | 15.3 | 15.7 | 0.540 | 0.540 | Quote |
| HP16×101 | 101 | 15.5 | 15.8 | 0.625 | 0.625 | Quote |
| HP16×121 | 121 | 15.8 | 15.9 | 0.750 | 0.750 | Quote |
| HP16×141 | 141 | 16.0 | 16.0 | 0.875 | 0.875 | Quote |
| HP16×162 | 162 | 16.3 | 16.1 | 1.00 | 1.00 | Quote |
| HP16×183 | 183 | 16.5 | 16.3 | 1.13 | 1.13 | Quote |
| HP18 | ||||||
| HP18×135 | 135 | 17.5 | 17.8 | 0.750 | 0.750 | Quote |
| HP18×157 | 157 | 17.7 | 17.9 | 0.870 | 0.870 | Quote |
| HP18×181 | 181 | 18.0 | 18.0 | 1.00 | 1.00 | Quote |
| HP18×204 | 204 | 18.3 | 18.1 | 1.13 | 1.13 | Quote |
Source: AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Dimensions (in.) and nominal weights (lb/ft) are for reference only; confirm the section with your engineer. Availability, pile lengths and lead time are confirmed on the quote.
H-pile vs. W-Beam
Both are hot-rolled sections with parallel flanges, proportioned for different work. A W-Beam (wide flange beam) has flanges thicker than its web, and most sizes are deeper than they are wide, a shape that is efficient in bending. W-Beams are used for beams and columns.
An HP section is a bearing-pile shape. Its flange width is within 1 in. of its depth on every size, and its web and flanges are equal in thickness on 20 of the 22 sizes, with the other two 0.005 in. apart. The thick web and near-square section are proportioned for driving and for carrying axial load into the ground.
Compare two sections at 53 lb/ft:
- HP12×53: 11.8 in. deep, 12.0 in. flange width, 0.435 in. web and 0.435 in. flanges
- W12×53: 12.1 in. deep, 10.0 in. flange width, 0.345 in. web and 0.575 in. flanges
Where H-piles are used
H-piles are driven through soft or loose soil to carry structure loads down to rock or a dense bearing layer. The open section displaces little soil as it is driven.
Piles for solar trackers and fixed-tilt racking are a separate product line: C-piles, U-piles and W-Beam piles, covered on our solar piles page. Typical H-pile uses:
- Bearing piles for bridge foundations and abutments
- Bearing piles for building foundations
- Soldier piles for soldier pile and lagging shoring and other earth-retention walls
- Piers, wharves and other marine and waterfront structures
What to send for a pile quote
Start with the pile schedule, the foundation drawings or a takeoff, and upload the files on the quote form. If the package has structural drawings only, our detailing team can work up shop drawings and a cut list for the piles.
For a complete quote, include:
- Section, for example HP12×53 or HP14×73
- Grade: A572 Grade 50, A588 or as specified
- Piece count for each section
- Lengths from the pile schedule
- Cut-off allowance, if the lengths include one
- Splice details, if piles are spliced
- Coating: bare or hot-dip galvanized per ASTM A123
- Delivery site: job site address or ZIP code
- Schedule: need-by date and any phased releases
Grades and sizes
A572 Grade 50, with a 50 ksi minimum yield, is commonly specified for HP piles. A588 weathering steel and other grades are quoted on request, and ASTM A6 covers dimensions and tolerances.
A few HP sizes are rolled infrequently. For those, the quote can include the nearest alternative section for your engineer to review.
Pile processing
H-piles can be processed to your schedule and drawings before they ship:
- Cut to the lengths on your pile schedule
- Holes and slots drilled, or laser or plasma cut, to your drawing
- Hot-dip galvanized per ASTM A123, with galvanizing certificates
- Tagged by piece mark and bundled for unloading
- Mill test reports with heat numbers on every order
Delivery to your job site
Piles go straight to the job site. We deliver across California, ship to sites in Texas, Arizona, Nevada and nationwide, and quote each load separately. Deliveries can be phased to match your driving schedule and laydown space.
H-Piles FAQ
What does HP12×53 mean?
HP is the AISC designation for a bearing-pile section, 12 is the nominal depth in inches and 53 is the nominal weight in lb/ft. The actual HP12×53 is 11.8 in. deep with a 12.0 in. flange width, and its web and flanges are both 0.435 in. thick.
What is the difference between an H-pile and a W-Beam?
An H-pile has a flange width close to its depth and a web about as thick as its flanges, proportions suited to driving and axial load. A W-Beam has flanges thicker than its web, and most sizes are deeper than they are wide, which suits beams and building columns.
What grade are H-piles?
A572 Grade 50 is the grade commonly specified for H-piles. A588 weathering steel is quoted when the specification calls for it, and other grades on request.
Can H-piles be used as soldier piles for shoring?
Yes. HP sections are used as soldier piles in soldier pile and lagging walls as well as for bearing piles. The shoring engineer sets the section, length and spacing, and we supply the piles cut to length to those drawings.
Can you cut, drill and galvanize H-piles before delivery?
Yes. We cut H-piles to length, add holes and slots to your drawing and hot-dip galvanize them per ASTM A123 when the specification calls for it. For spliced piles, send the splice detail from the engineer of record with your schedule so segment lengths are quoted to match.
Do you drive or install H-piles?
No. We supply and process H-piles and deliver them to the job site. Driving and installation stay with your pile contractor, and pile design stays with your engineer of record.
Request a quote
Request pricing on H-piles
Tick the sizes you need in the table, or send your cut list or takeoff. We come back with an itemized quote, mill test reports included with the order.
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