Design aluminum pipe as support beam
Design aluminum pipe as support beam
(OP)
I have designed a steel pipe to be used as a support beam to support roll goods for material handling. The pipe spans 6 feet between support brackets, and therefore is over the allowable 50 lb weight limit for one employee to lift. I would like to look at designing an aluminum pipe to replace the steel pipe due to its light weight. I have not done any design with Aluminum and need help with the properties, any different design codes, allowable deflection, etc.
If needed, following are the requirements for the design:
- maximum pipe diameter to be 6".
- span is 6'
- distributed load is 28" wide, weighing 3500 lbs (centered on the beam).
If needed, following are the requirements for the design:
- maximum pipe diameter to be 6".
- span is 6'
- distributed load is 28" wide, weighing 3500 lbs (centered on the beam).






RE: Design aluminum pipe as support beam
RE: Design aluminum pipe as support beam
RE: Design aluminum pipe as support beam
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desertfox
RE: Design aluminum pipe as support beam
http://www.aluminum.org/
You will likely use 6061-T6 or 6063-T6 pipe. Yield will be in the 26ksi to 32ksi range.
Pay attention to the temper...it makes a big difference in mechanical properties. Keep in mind that within 1 inch of a weld, the allowable mechanical properties go way down...example: 6063-T6 allowable bending stress = 15,150 psi. Same material within 1 inch of a weld, allowable bending stress=6,667 psi.
Most comparable sizes to steel available in aluminum. Allowable deflections are the same as for steel, but application dependent.
RE: Design aluminum pipe as support beam
RE: Design aluminum pipe as support beam
RE: Design aluminum pipe as support beam