Equation 9-2 still holds valid for the HSS. There are two shear rupture planes which would exist on the HSS, one for each vertical weld. Equation 9-3 would only be valid if vertical welds existed on both sides of the HSS wall (the outside and inside) along the same vertically cut section (which is typically not physically possible given our limited access for welding on the inside of an HSS tube). Because the welds on the HSS are separated a distance equal to the thickness of the shear tab, two shear rupture planes are created, making equation 9-2 the appropriate check. Equation 9-3 would be valid for a check on the shear tab plate, as the welds exist in the same plane of a vertically cut section on the shear tab.