On use of Hollow Circular Steel Sections ‘Author Nigh Prabhukhanolear © Posted: 26 February, 2015 About this Article. Hollow Steel Sections come in 3 shapes - rectangular, square, circular. The sections are available in hot- Falled as well as col-formed process, Ths alice tries to investigate the sutabilty of using hollow sections There are 7 types of strength capacties for a line-element - Axialitension and compression capacty) Bending along two axes, shear along two axes, torsion. Each of these have a strong correlation wih the allowing geometric propertes- Asal =>cross-sectional area, Bending about xx=>second moment of area about x. Bending about yy=>(.bout yy) Here is a properties table of two sections - one is a Lbeam, another is a circular hollow section, bath having almost same mass-per unit weight Ofcourse we are not bringing in the discussion slender members and bucking modes of failure which often govern design. A circular section might have an edge in slenderness as lateral torsional buckling mode is avoided. However a properly “braced” I-secton a long lengths would provide higher bending capacity than a Circular. going by the table Connections between two members -- |Lbeam to I-beam connections can be welded or bolted via cleat angles. Circular or hollow sections cannot be bolted. They can onl be welded, Two circular sections meeting each other at an angle create @ 3-d union curve. The intersecting member can be properly pre-cut along this Ine to achieve effective welding. There are other specialized products in market for holow connection. rephnnwaiisnenr cicConclusions based on strengths and weaknesses Circular sections are highly sutable for torsional loads. If the structural system coerces forces of certain kinds in certain directions, say a portal frame has bending along the frame, and axial perpendicular tot sing Lsections with high bending capacities along the major direction would be optimal IF ts not known aprin! which would be the toacing direction or if lad can be applied in both alrectons circular hollow sections would be more optimal Weight Ara yy zz_—Ixx(torsion) Surface Area Section (gin) (rum) (omy) (mt) (mm? UKB305x102x33 33, 418 9500 18122 101 c273K33 2 2 a7a0 37807560 0858 ‘There are the folowing highly interesting observations - The polar moment of area of ercular hollow section 1s 600 times higher than the l-beam| This makes the cic. secion high¥ effective for torsional loads The second moment of area Iyy of Lbeam Is 1.7 mes that of Cicular. Circular yy = Circular 2z as expected. Circular lyliz Is 20 times more than beam along weaker axis(Izz) Ths implies highest moment can be carried by the L-section along yy. folowed by circular section about both yy and zz, folowed by a distant third again by Ibeam along zz. This means lsection is optimized to carry high moment ALONG one axis, leaving the other axis weak as a tradeoft ‘The cross-sectional area ofboth is obviously the same, as they had similar mass per unit length, This implies in tension, bath have same strength For. @g. Steet Lights, Traffic Signals, Signboards on highways, short towers - all these can be wind-loaded along any angle and high torsion can be generated in these too, due to eccentrcty ofthe hung apparatus land hence creular sections ate more optimal AESTHETICS: rephnnwaiisnenr cicIt is a well documented fact (see ref. 1) that circular sections, free from sharp edges provide a better aesthetic sense than open sections, and are easier to maintain having the least exposed surface area for a ‘given thickness. Hence, based on the type of forces expected, level of aesthetic appeal required, amount of bracing possible, professional competence of contractors In Circular Sections joinery, a clear cholce can be ‘made betwoen open and hollow sections, References “These are for adtionalreasing, none ofthe above write-up i direct taken from any specif reference. [1] Wardenier, J. et al (2010) “Hollow Sections in Structural Applications™ CIDEGT, Geneva, Switzerland (@vallable Online at np //212.160.248,105/eharedieBooks/Holow_Sections_2nd_Eat pal) Images Fig. Images ilustrating various ways of connection circular members. rephnnwaiisnenr cicFig.2 Areason of using Circular Sections for “monopole” hoarding isthe obvious advantage in torsion and mult-axial unknown direction wind loading, rephnnwaiisnenr cicFig.3- Bandra Skywalk showing circular sections forthe visible russ. Rest members ‘Aesthetic at play? rephnnwaiisnenr cicED UU Ui Fig.4 Exposed Roof Truss at Viviana Mal, Thane, Use of cular sections al through, combined with a curved tie memier, to add structural efficiency along with aesthetic appeal rephnnwaiisnenr cic