Steel angle vs Aluminum
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Posted by: dylan690 ®

01/25/2006, 07:50:50
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I have an application where the steel angle will be replaced with aluminum. The application is a pole mount rack for solar panels. In this case, I don't know what kind of stress is placed on the angle other than stress from wind. If i am using a 2 1/2 X 2 1/2 in steel 1/4 inch thick, can i replace this and get the same strenght with a similar thickness of aluminum angle, or should i use a slightly thicker aluminum.

thanks

Dave








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Re: Steel angle vs Aluminum
Re: Steel angle vs Aluminum -- dylan690 Post Reply Top of thread Forum
Posted by: swearingen ®

01/25/2006, 13:35:57
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How long are the angles?







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Re: Steel angle vs Aluminum
Re: Re: Steel angle vs Aluminum -- swearingen Post Reply Top of thread Forum
Posted by: zekeman ®

01/26/2006, 00:27:34
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What are the loads on the structure other than wind and if it is wind can you make an assumption that most of the wind load is on the end of the beam? If that is the case then you had better design the aluminum to:
1) get about 1/2 the stress of the steel which would mean that its section modulus I/c is at least twice that of the steel.
2) Moreover you may be concerned with deflection (and vibration) under the maximum loads which is inversely as the EI of the material. Since E, the modulus of elasticity of aluminum is 1/3 that of steel, make sure that the I of the aluminum is at least 3x that of the steel.







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