How to Use the Square Tubing Strength Calculator

Step 1: Enter the dimensions of the square tubing. Input the width and height of the tube in inches. For square tubing, these values will be the same, but the calculator allows for rectangular tubing as well.

Step 2: Specify the wall thickness of the tubing in inches. This is the thickness of the metal that forms the tube’s sides.

Step 3: Input the length of the tube in inches. This is the span over which the load will be applied.

Step 4: Enter the applied load in pounds. This is the force that the tube will need to support.

Step 5: Select the material of the tubing from the dropdown menu. Options include steel, aluminum, and stainless steel. Each material has different yield and ultimate strength properties that affect the calculations.

Step 6: Click the “Calculate Strength” button to process the information.

Step 7: Review the results displayed in the results section. The calculator will provide values for bending stress, shear stress, and safety factors for both bending and shear.

Step 8: Interpret the results. Pay special attention to the safety factors. A safety factor greater than 1.0 indicates that the tubing can safely withstand the applied load. The higher the safety factor, the greater the margin of safety.

By following these steps, you can effectively use the Square Tubing Strength Calculator to analyze and optimize your structural designs, ensuring they meet the required safety standards and performance criteria.