Civil Engineering/Channel strength

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Expert: - 10/16/2005


Question
This may sound trivial, but it is important to me.   Which of the following is strongest?
1. 1" square aluminum bar?
2. 1" square alumiunum tubing?
3. 1" aluminum C channel?
4. 1" aluminum ell channel?
By strongest, I mean greatest resistance to bending.  Logic would tell me that the solid bar is strongest.  If not, please explain intuitively why it is not.
Thanks very much for your time.
Jon Fischer

Answer
Hi Jon,

This is not a trivial question, but a good one! The answer to your question is as you say- the 1" square solid bar. However, if you asked the strongest in terms of strength-to-weight ratio (i.e. economical, least material, etc), then the answer is the 1" square tubing (or hollow square section). After that would come the C channel and then the L.

I hope that helps!

Kind regards,

Arshad

Civil Engineering

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Arshad Khan

Expertise

I can answer any questions to do with civil and structural engineering consultancy and construction industry in East Africa and the Middle East, and specifically with the analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures. My particular expertise is in the aseismic design and optimisation of tall buildings.

Experience

Employment history: 36 years in Construction and consultancy in the UK, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Africa, Somalia, Zambia, Austria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and the U.A.E.

Organizations
.Fellow of Institution of Structural Engineers (UK) .Fellow of Institution of Civil Engineers(UK) .Member of the Institution of Engineers, Kenya .Registered Engineer, ERB, Kenya .Member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (Engineers Chapter) .Chartered Engineer (UK)

Publications
•1984: International Conference on the Art and Practice of Structural Design, London •1994: 3rd Int. Kerensky Conference in Structural Engineering, Singapore •2008: International Conference on High-Rise Towers, Abu Dhabi

Education/Credentials
BSc, 1st Class Hons, in Building Engineering, University of Bath, UK MSc in Concrete Structures and Technology, University of London. Diploma of Imperial College, UK.

Awards and Honors
•Science Congress Special Award (for 2-seater Hovercraft - 1968) •Institution of Civil Engineers Award for outstanding performance at Bath University (1975) •Concrete Society Postgraduate study Bursary Award (1976) •Consular Representative for British High Commission, Nairobi. (1995 to 1998) •Examiner for Institution of Civil Engineers Professional Interviews, Nairobi. (1997 to 1998) •Branch Representative in Vienna for PI assessment for Inst. of Struct. Engrs. (1999 to date)

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