Weep holes in HSS tubes

[NITTANYRAY]

Thread 507-441956 and 725-244744 ask why and if weep holes are required in tube members. A lot of people gave their opinion and some were correct but no one in either thread gave any references to back up their opinions. Basically both threads are now closed and no real information was given in either thread but one or both of these threads comes up if you goggle the question. I don't know who decides to close a thread but it might be helpful to any one looking for information to keep a thread open until a credible answer is given. For some reason this forum is usually placed higher than more credible sources on Goggle. The correct answer for the question on weep holes can be found in the AISC specifications. AISC 360-16 “Specification for Structural Steel Buildings” Section M2.10. It states, “Drain Holes – When water can collect inside HSS or box members, either during construction or during service, the member shall be sealed, provided with a drain hole at the base, or otherwise protected from water infiltration. Members to be galvanized shall be designed, detailed and fabricated to provide for flow and drainage of pickling fluids and zinc and to prevent pressure buildup in enclosed parts."

 

[hokie66]

thread507-441956
thread725-244744

Old threads are automatically closed after a certain time. Not sure how long they remain 'active' after there is no activity.

Lots of good opinions were given in those threads. If you don't like opinions, look for regulations, which you have done.

 

[lexpatrie]

This is a perennial question that really deserves a FAQ entry or whatever those are called. You could actually produce the references there.

Here's the most recent iteration of the conversation, that thread is still open, too.
Cap plates on HSS columns for weather protection

Regards,
Brian

 

[SteelTubes]

The Steel Tube Institute has a few resources on this topic:

1. General discussion on topic of damage due to freezing when drain holes are not present:

https://steeltubeinstitute.org/resources/hss-damage-due-water-infiltration-freezing/

2. Recommended placement of drain holes:

https://steeltubeinstitute.org/faq/water-drain-holes-in-hss-columns/

3. Drain holes as it relates to the galvanizing process:

https://steeltubeinstitute.org/reso...evention-capabilities-of-hot-dip-galvanizing/

 

[EdStainless]

I used to ship SS tubing all over the world.
It usually went by ship because of how bulky it was (but not heavy at all).
We would line a box with two layers of plastic.
Each layer would be sealed separately.
After 3-4 weeks of temperature cycling the boxes would have 2-3" of water standing in the bottom of them.
It was clean water (darn near 0 conductivity) because it was condensate.
But it would be very wet.
If you didn't seal everything well then you would end up with lots of impurities in the water.
Customers wanted us to add desiccant, but there was no way to add enough for international shipping.

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