How to use U bolts as Square bolts

[august2010]

I have a project for solar systems racks. I placed an order for Squared bolts but for some reason they delivered the U bolts to the site and most of them have been installed. I cant change the order now. I need to know if there is any way that I can use the U bolts as Square bolts to hold a tube.
Please look at the section in the attachments and let me know if there is any possible way to use the U bolts for a square section. Also, let me know if it is not gonna affect anything by using U bolts instead of square bolts.

 

[MikeHalloran]

What, exactly, did you order?



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[august2010]

we ordered Square bolts and the supplier sent out the U bolts. Installers did not notice about this. and started putting on the U bolts. Now there is a gap between the bottom of U bolt and the tube. How can i overcome this problem?

 

[hokie66]

Your problem is that there is no such thing as a "square bolt". Rods have to be bent around a radius. The radius can vary. Perhaps you needed a plate with straight bolts each end.

 

[azcats]

There are certainly square bend u-bolts.

Can you fill the void with a half piece of round bar or pipe? Procuring those might be more expensive than replacing with the correct hardware though.

 

[MikeHalloran]

>>...let me know if it is not gonna affect anything by using U bolts instead of square bolts. <<<

We can't do that. We don't, as a matter of policy, and because we don't know squat about your system, or how the bolts are loaded.

BTW: By "exactly", I meant "What exact words appeared on your purchase order", including part numbers, and any referenced drawings.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[paddingtongreen]

One of you that believes these square u-bolts exist needs to document one for the dinosaurs like me who never heard of them, doesn't see how they could be made with a square inside corner and doesn't see how they could work with a distributed load across the horizontal.

Michael.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

 

[MikeHalloran]

I've seen them on heavy duty truck axles, but I don't think they're generic parts, and I don't recall seeing one with a corner radius under .25" inside.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[JStephen]

For those that don't believe there is such a thing:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#square-u-bolts/=d5hert

August, can't help you with the bolt situation, really. On the other hand, what's the problem that it won't work with the U-bolts in place? If you have so much tension, you're bending the corner of the tube or distorting the U-bolt, then maybe it's a problem.

(I suspect this may be a situation where there's not really a technical design involved, and somebody just says "Let's stick these every 3' to hold this down" and that's how it goes.)

 

[cvg]

either a)install the circular shims b) remove and replace with square bolts or c) check the structural design to see if it will work

I would start with option C