Built-up sections vs tubular sections

Built-up sections vs tubular sections
APL Apollo is a brand that has won the hearts of lakhs of people with its quality structural steel products, affordable prices, and innovative technology. But, every brand has its story! The journey that begins from a startup to a Brand! Here, we present the Journey of APL Apollo, a journey that has been as enjoyable as the destination. The journey will speak about how APL Apollo has come a long way by transforming itself with diverse innovations and initiatives.

What are Built-up Sections?
Built-up steel structures are made by combining two or more rolled sections. These hot-rolled sections are joined together at intervals to create one built-up section. Direct welding, bolting, and riveting are three methods to join the shapes. Some examples of built-up structures are the double angles sections, four angle sections, and double channel sections. Two or four shapes are fabricated together to fulfil the desired purposes. They are used in steel construction when the length of a column is long. It replaces the rolled section that cannot provide a sufficient radius of gyration. They are also known as Built-up beams, which are highly recommended by civil engineers. It is a good compression member to carry heavy loads over a longer span.

Advantages of Built-up Steel Sections
● Symmetric-cross sections
● Higher-strength
● Better resistance against the out-of-plane movement,
● Cheap alternative to adopt in practice.
● Effective solution for bending moment issue.

Disadvantages of Built-up sections
● Requires more engineering than the standard one.
● Need to order shapes from overseas and it takes a long time to arrive.
● Too costly compared to the standard section.

What are Tubular Sections?
Tubular steel structures are popular due to their higher strength-to-weight ratio than conventional sections. It shows excellent properties such as compression, torsion, and bending in all directions. They are built by welding open sections such as channels or angles. Tubular sections can be used in various structures, such as pipe supports, small pipe racks, trusses in the shed, etc. It offers robust aesthetic and design benefits. Due to its cross-sectional profile, the loads get distributed between structural members. That’s why large tubular sections are suitable for malls, exhibition centers, airports, etc. It can also be used for transporting gas, water, and liquid waste.

Advantages of Tubular Section
● Lighter than built-up sections
● They are naturally strong against longitudinal stress.
● Hollow tubes can save up to 30% on steel.
● High torsional stiffness and compressive strength.
● High vibrational frequency to carry dynamic loads.
● Low maintenance cost than built-up beams.
● Easy to manufacture and install

Disadvantages of Tubular Section
● Connections between tubes are difficult to make.
● Prone to corrosion when freely exposed to air and water.
● More expensive due to additional production processes.
● Limited availability in different sizes in India

Built-up sections vs Tubular Sections: Which one is the Winner?

Both of these steel structures have their own advantages and disadvantages. Comparing their features, pros, and cons, you can decide which is the right choice for you. If you are still in doubt, consult with experts from the APL Apollo. We are the leading manufacturer of high-performance steel sections. Our designed products offer great tolerance and superior strength. With our premium quality products, you can build intelligent structures which can last for a very long time. For further details, you can visit our website https://aplapollo.com/ or call on our toll free number 1800-102-3737