round HSS or pipe sections?

[SLTA]

When you use round steel sections, do you specify pipe sections or round HSS? I'm designing replacement columns for an existing house. Should I call the local fabricator and see what they commonly have more of?

Please remember: we're not all guys!

 

[KootK]

For residential stuff in my area, it's usually the schedule 40 pipe sections. Of course a call to your local fabricator costs next to nothing.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

 

[moltenmetal]

Round HSS costs less than pipe here. That may differ from market to market though.

 

[MikeHalloran]

HSS is intended for use as columns and beams.
Pipe is not.
If a pipe column folds, you haven't a leg to stand on.


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[SLTA]

Mike, pipe has been used for years in structural situations. It's in the AISC manual with column loads. I just wanted to see what's most commonly used these days. Cheers!

Please remember: we're not all guys!

 

[msquared48]

I have used A35 pipe columns for years and their axial capacities are listed in the AISC steel Design Manual.

3" and 4" diameter are common sizes to use for residential applications.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)

 

[XR250]

I am still calling out 3" sch. 40 pipe and I have not heard any complaints.

 

[Hokie93]

In my area (mid-Atlantic, USA) fabricators have advised that pipe is less expensive than HSS, so that is what I specify if I can live with the lower yield stress (35 ksi versus 42 ksi for ASTM A500, Grade B or 46 ksi for ASTM A500, Grade C). When I do specify round HSS, I try my best to select an HSS size that corresponds to a standard, X-strong, or XX-strong pipe size. According the fabricators, those sizes are more readily available.

 

[MacGruber22]

I will echo using schedule 40 pipe in the mid-atlantic region.

I try my best to select an HSS size that corresponds to a standard, X-strong, or XX-strong pipe size. According the fabricators, those sizes are more readily available.

That is good to know.

"It is imperative Cunth doesn't get his hands on those codes."

 

[SLTA]

cheers, y'all. appreciate the help.

Please remember: we're not all guys!

 

[Ron]

SLTA....Sched 40 pipe. Probably more plentiful and cheaper in your area.

 

[msquared48]

AISC specs pipe as STD, XS, snd XXS.

STD is schedule 40.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)

 

[wannabeSE]

"STD is schedule 40" for pipes less than 12 inch. At 12" and above. sch 40 is heavier. For instance at 16", sch 40 is the same as XS per ASTM A53. At 26", XS is the same as sch 20.

 

[Ingenuity]

SCHEDULE 40, XS, XXS, GAUGE...inches, feet, kips...life is so simply with the metric system!

 

[SnTMan]

Ingenuity, which one?

Regards,

Mike

The problem with sloppy work is that the supply FAR EXCEEDS the demand

 

[klaus.]

We had this discussion many times to in our office...is it a pipe ore tube
I asked different people and i got different answers
I think it is a matter of Name
Same as pants or trousers.....




best regards
Klaus

 

[moltenmetal]

OK, let me clarify: welded seam round HSS is cheaper here than A53/A106 carbon steel pressure pipe, especially if buying pipe means that you're buying unnecessary wall thickness. 3" sch40 pipe is 0.216" wall, whereas the columns specified by my structural engineering friend to support the beams in my house were HSS 3.5"OD x 3/16" wall thickness. I'm sure you can find some garbage furnace-welded pipe somewhere which is cheaper than HSS. It is also likely that 3" sch40 A53 pipe is cheaper than 3.5" x 1/4" round HSS. The 3.5" OD was chosen for two reasons: 1) to permit the use of pipe, because of the matched dimension and 2) to fit within the dimensions of a 2x4 stud wall. Note that 3.5" NPS pipe exists- on a table- but I've never seen a piece in real life. I suspect that it, with its 4" OD, is more frequently used in structural applications than as a pipe! 3.5" sch40 is 0.226" wall, so again it is probably a little cheaper than 4" round HSS 1/4" wall.