I have a contractor looking to use 2" dia. schedule 40 pipe for a short post in a crawlspace. I was not able to find any tables online regarding allowable loads for said pipe. Any ideas where to look? Thank you.
Calculate it. You know the dimensions. It will act as a column, so check compression and buckling. Compare those to allowable stress values in AISC or other applicable codes.
In general, a short, 2" dia. sched. 40 pipe will have a relatively high capacity. Also check to make sure the bearing plates top and bottom do not overstress the materials they contact....and yes, you must have bearing plates.
Buckling for 5'6 at 1500 lbs? I'd recommend a 4 inch sch 40 to get the bigger diameter. For 2 inch - my gut says you'd need a heavier wall.
Hardware stores have a "standard" adjustable screw-thread cap for 4 inch diameter pipes. Hint, hint. (I use 4 inch pipes for my basement supports at 7 foot length.)
Wow, I’d want to think a little more about recommending a 40kip load on a 2" schedule 40 piece of pipe 66" long and of a uncertain spec. Most columns that slender don’t fair very well at 37.2ksi.
Robt>> Look back at the thread on 1" foam insulation.
Schedule 40 pipe is not a structural steel. Its yield is substantially below normal structural steels. Depending on the grade, it could be as low as 25 ksi or as high as 35 ksi.
Notwithstanding, a concentric load of 1500 lbs. should be easily handled by a 2" pipe over a length of 5'-6".