What Is a Structural Pipe?
Structural steel pipes, made of steel, are used in construction and civil engineering. These pipes are either circular or square in cross-section, the latter being known as square steel pipes.
There are various types of structural pipes, most of which are standardized. Common types include carbon steel tubes for general structures (STK), used in construction, civil engineering, support pillars, steel towers, and machine parts. Rectangular structural steel pipes (STKR) are used in construction and civil engineering. For mechanical components in automobiles, construction machinery, industrial machinery, and steel furniture, carbon steel structural pipes (STKM) are utilized. Small square structural pipes (STKMR) find application in automobiles and steel furniture.
Carbon steel structural pipes (STKN) are known for good weldability and are primarily used in building structures. Other types include electric resistance welded carbon steel pipes for automobile structures (STAM), high tensile strength steel pipes for steel towers (STKT), and stainless steel pipes for machine structures (SUS-TK).
Applications of Structural Pipes
Structural pipes are employed in a variety of fields, including:
- Building components: Supporting steel frames in buildings, warehouses, apartments, multi-story parking garages, roof supports in stadiums and stations, and earthquake-resistant braces.
- Landscape structures: Supporting road signs, traffic signals, guardrails, lighting, railroad overhead lines, and signals.
- Amusement equipment: Components in parks and theme parks such as slides, bars, jungle gyms, Ferris wheels, and roller coasters.
- Bridges: Pedestrian bridges, piping bridges, and construction walkways.
- Offshore structures: Foundations for offshore wind turbines, floating piers, and tsunami barriers.
- Civil engineering: Steel pipe piles, foundation piles for sound insulation walls, temporary scaffolding, etc.
- Transportation equipment: Conveyor rollers, logistics racks, pallets, and automotive paint hanger materials.
Characteristics of Structural Pipes
Structural pipes are characterized by their circular cross-section, which imparts no directionality and provides high strength against compression and torsion. They offer greater wind resistance than shaped steel, allowing for lighter and more economical designs. Their lightweight nature also reduces transportation costs and facilitates the handling of larger units. The round and smooth appearance of these pipes adds an aesthetic appeal.
Structural pipes are manufactured using various methods. Electric resistance welding involves forming hot-rolled coils into tubes and joining them with high-frequency resistance welding. Seamless steel pipes are produced from round steel billets that are heated and hollowed out. Longitudinally Submerged Arc Welded (LSAW) pipes are created by forming and seam welding thick plates. Spiral steel pipes are made by forming hot-rolled coils into a spiral shape and seam welding using the submerged arc welding method.