What is a curved steel channel?
In the rolled products industry, not only sheet materials, but also elements of more complex shape, such as the hot-rolled and bent steel channel, differ from each other only in external corners among the products of production, in the second they are rounded due to the processing of steel sheet onspecial roll forming machine.
The channel is U-shaped, which is very convenient for connecting it to the complex frames .In them, the channel becomes both bearing supports and padded crossbeams. There is a fairly large number of brands of this metal, significantly different from each other.
The product with the marking Y is a rolled product whose internal surfaces of the shelves have a slope, while the Π in the characteristics of the channel will mean that these shelves are absolutely parallel to each other. Among other things, there are economical channels with straight shelves, they are denoted by the letter E, as well as light elements denoted by the marking L.
In addition to the general-purpose channels, special ones are also used, denoted by the letter C, their dimensions differ by the increased wall thickness at standard height and width. It is also worth mentioning the materials for the production of wagons, respectively, their marking B, as well as tractors with the designation T.
. How to choose the channel?
It all depends on what you want to use this metal for. If to repair the balcony, then you will be the one whose distance between the walls corresponds to the thickness of the concrete slab. If you need a design option, then it's best to turn to the project. In light and economical channels, the thickness of the metal is rather low, as a result of which it is not necessary to count for the high strength of a structure made of such rolled products.
Another issue specialized channel bars, there may already be a kink in the opposite direction, that is, one should be afraid of excessive weighting of the frame of the building, so choose high-alloy steel, so you can do with small overall dimensions of rolled metal. The length of the channel to block the openings should exceed them by 140 centimeters, that is, with the removal of 70 centimeters in both directions from the opening.
The bent channel is often used in places where it is necessary to hide communications, especially if it is low-alloy steel, which, because of its low carbon content, is able to withstand extremely low temperatures without harming itself.
And now we give you some comparisons of the channels of different types with similar dimensions. If a general-purpose channel 180 mm wide with a shelf height of 70 is made of steel with a thickness of 5.1 millimeters, then the same special-purpose product used in the automotive industry has a thickness of 9 millimeters.
In general, for the construction and repair work can be used any channel, the main thing is that its parameters have been taken into account in the project. In particular, the edging from the channel will substantially strengthen any cracked edge plate, but to take for such purposes a metal roll with the widest possible shelf, considering that the range of sizes varies from 32 to 115 millimeters.
Methods of fixing the channel when assembling it
In general, the use of a channel in the structures for their reinforcement provides for two ways of joining this type of metal - bolted or welding. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, in particular, welding is the fusion in the seams of metal from two parts to be joined, which means that if the work is done on conscience, you can not be afraid of moisture penetration between the structural elements, as happens with the bolted connection.
However, time spent on welded work sometimes impermissibly delays construction. The perforated channel is much easier to assemble, and the mounting speed is significantly improved, however, in addition to the previously mentioned lack of a bolted connection, there is one more.
The fact is that the channel is much better than the metal strip or corner, it can withstand both axial and flexural loads, but the punching is able to greatly benefit the U-shape. For example, holes made with small gaps may eventually become a break point of the channel, and even if all norms and standards are met during drilling, in case of poor corrosion protection of the structure, it is possible to expect the occurrence of rust spots at the points of the bolted joint.
However, you can use both methods of connection in a complex, and in places where there is no access dampness, perform perforation, and in the remaining areas carry out welding work.