Reinforcing Pipe Columns
Reinforcing Pipe Columns
(OP)
Anyone have any ideas on reinforcing steel pipe columns? I've got 4" nominal diameter steel pipe columns, wall thickness unknown. They dont work with the new loads applied (nor do they work with the original loads..). So, to reinforce, i've come up with welding 4 L2x2's to the pipe, or trying 2 L3x3's to the column. With (4)-L2's, i have a symetrical x-section, but twice as much welding. With (2)-L3's, I have half the welding, but still weak in one direction.
Anyone have any other ideas besides welding angles? Welding other shapes to the pipe? Maybe reinforcing isnt cost effective, and replace the entire column with an adequate size?
Anyone have any other ideas besides welding angles? Welding other shapes to the pipe? Maybe reinforcing isnt cost effective, and replace the entire column with an adequate size?






RE: Reinforcing Pipe Columns
RE: Reinforcing Pipe Columns
RE: Reinforcing Pipe Columns
RE: Reinforcing Pipe Columns
For telecommunication towers, some times adding new secondary bracings to reduce effective length will do the job. In some stubborn cases welding shaped semicircular plate to the column is done, but that is extremely painstaking and expensive job.
I have read about filling the column with concrete is also a viable option, but did not do it personally. CIDET [forgot the number] standard gives design recommendation for concrete filled steel columns, may be some other standards do that too.
Again, to me the best solution is to replace the leg with proper size [assuming available construction facilities will allow you to do so.]
Good luck, AM
RE: Reinforcing Pipe Columns
If it is a multi story column........reinforce.
RE: Reinforcing Pipe Columns
RE: Reinforcing Pipe Columns
RE: Reinforcing Pipe Columns
Regards
RE: Reinforcing Pipe Columns
RE: Reinforcing Pipe Columns
Just a reminder as we sometimes focus on one and forget the other. All this reinforcing for the column due to increased loads, have you checked the foundation's capacity for the increase?
Chip
RE: Reinforcing Pipe Columns
I've used the next larger size pipe in a few cases, split in half and welded to the column. The welders that installed them liked the idea. If it doesn't quite fit, clamps can be used to squeeze it into shape.