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Helena, OK | Here are two equations that can be used to tell you the strength of the two different geometries. These equations will only give you a comparison between the two. There are many other factors involved but this will give you a rough idea of what size and thickness of square tubing equals a given thickness and diameter of pipe as far as bending loads are concerned. These equations won't work for torsional loads.
Pipe: pie X (diameter)^3 X thickness / 8
Square tubing: [(height)^4 /12] - [(height - 2 X thickness)^4 /12]
The larger the number the stronger the structure is for a given material. These equations will also allow you to determine the strength differences between 1" heavy wall tubing and 1.5" thin wall tubing.
Here is an example
1" x 1/8" wall round tubing vs. 1" x 1/8" wall square tubing
Pipe: 3.14159 X 1^3 X .125 /8 = .049
Square tubing: [1^4 / 12]-[.75^4 / 12] = .057
What this means is that the given square tubing is stronger than the pipe in bending loads. These equations DO NOT hold for torsional loads or anything other than just bending loads. You can compare the numbers and get a percentage stronger also >>> .057/.049 = 1.16. The square is 1.16 times stronger than the round given that the tubings are of the same material.
I personally have built several cattle working facilities and know that the square is a lot easier to work with, but the cost is definitely something you have to deal with.
Hope this is valuable in some way. | |
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Strenght of square tube vs. round pipe
