steel tube frame

[ethelinecimatu]

Hello, I am needing some help on ensuring a steel tube frame can withstand compression, moment, deflection, vibration effects.

I am attaching a pdf drawing of what we have in mind: we are assembling a steel tube frame with s.s. plate which will be welded onto the structure, and will hold power panels, monitors, transformer and control panel via screws.

Materials of construction consists of 2x2(1/8) ss tube with a ss 1/8" plate, main form of connection is welding.

Main concern is insufficient bracing for lateral motions.

Input is greatly appreciated.

Individual weights of equipment carried by the structure:
480V power panel(60#),
240/120V power panel(40#),
5kVA step down transformer (90#),
ambient monitor (5#),
phase monitor (5#),
control panel (100#)

Square steel tubes - 3.05#/ft

 

[racookpe1978]

have you tried Unistrut assemblies and beams?

 

[ethelinecimatu]

Yeah, but the boss prefers the clean look of the stainless to match style of another equipment in the system.

 

[dik]

Can you use a rectangular bottom tube... 2x1 or 2-1/2x1-1/2" or something of that ilk... easier to weld and use mitred corners at the top? You want to passivate the welds with nitric acid to minimise rusting at the welds. I can send you design info for the mitred corners if you need it.

Dik

 

[Althalus]

This seems like a typical bent with two levels. As long as it analyzes correctly it should be fine.

1) Overall frame action for wind will probably govern.
2) Check local stresses at connections since it is only 1/8".
3) It would seem to me that additional ss tubes in the proper framing configuration would be cheaper than a large plate. But that is your estimator's call.
4) A thin plate may not be able to handle the drum load from wind combined with the load from solar panel. Check the load combinations for that, especially if it is only 1/8" flat plate.