What is stronger Square or Round tubing? And which is more cost effective?

Answer 1

Round tubing is better than equal area tubing based on strength to weight efficiency. However, there may be other factors that will base the cost effectiveness.
For example, 50 mm square x 6mm wall tubing is stronger than 50mm x 6mm wall tubing (made of same material). This is true in both bending, compression and tension. The 50mm square tubing weighs more than the 50mm round tubing on a per mm basis. The 50mm square tubing uses more material than the 50mm round tubing on a per mm basis.

Cutting round tubing and welding it to other tubing may require round cuts on the end. Making round cuts on the end of a tube may be more expensive than saw cuts. Square tubing may be cut with a saw. Measuring and attaching parts to square tubing may be easier, quicker and thus more cost effective.
The answer depends on the final goals of what you are trying to achieve with your design. In general, square or rectangular tubing has a lot of hidden advantages. Only on weight critical designs would I use the round tubing.

Answer 2

Square Tubing Strength

Answer 3

It depends on the application. Round tubing wins for torsion (ever see a square driveshaft ?) and is better if the load direction is not defined in any on axis (think flag pole - wind can come from any direction) . Square tubing is good for applications where the load direction doesn't vary much - cantilever, etc.

Cost - depends on the weight of the member required to support the load - square may be lighter in some cases, round in others. You can solve for the load in your application using either stock -but one will be lighter/cheaper and hence more cost effective.

Answer 4

In torsion, round tubing is much stronger than square tubing. Under vertical bending loads, square tubing is stronger. The strength depends on the material. Brass comes in many types, or alloys.

Answer 5

A circular, cylindrical or spherical shape is always the most stable because every side would distribute weight and/or pressure in the same way. That is, if it is constructed well.

Answer 6

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I would agree cylindrical anything should be theoretically strong as they have no corners which tend to gather stress and would consequently incur the strength. I have no source and i am no expert just offering my insight =)