Strength of Steel Tubing


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Old 07-22-18, 07:20 AM
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Question Strength of Steel Tubing

I am building an exposed deck on top of a concrete pad that is approximately 12'X11'. I'm using 2X6 treated lumber for the deck and need to elevate it in order to keep it dry. I am considering building a frame under the deck out of 1" square hollow steel or aluminum tubing with a wall thickness of .065. The tubing would be 12' lengths spaced a foot apart with the wood fastened to it perpendicular. I doubt anything or the total amount of people standing on it would be more than 500 pounds and even then not in one spot. My question is about the tubing. Is .065 a sufficient wall thickness to support the deck and weight put on it?

thanks
Syb
 
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Old 07-22-18, 08:05 AM
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So your plan is to keep the 2x6 joists an inch off the ground using the aluminum tubing ?
Steel is 100% out due to the rust and the aluminum doesn't seem like a proper product.
 
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Old 07-22-18, 11:04 AM
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The 2X6's aren't joists, they're planks. Thanks
 
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Old 07-22-18, 11:14 AM
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Sorry to ignore the question, but fastening your planks to any kind of 1" metal tubing is going to present a problem...

Fasten pressure treated 2x's to the concrete, then you will be able to fasten your planks to that.
 
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Old 07-22-18, 12:26 PM
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using treated 2X2's would be a lot easier. I wouldn't have to anchor them to the concrete because the area is walled on 3 sides and nothing is going to move.
 
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Old 07-22-18, 12:28 PM
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But it will likely warp. You won't want it to rock when you walk on it.
 
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Old 07-22-18, 02:32 PM
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using treated 2X2's would be a lot easier
Forget the metal , forget the 2x2, as noted just build a structure of 2x? joists on top of the pad and attach you decking (hopefully composite) to that.

All the other options are useless or adding extra expense that provide no benefit!
 
 

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