Stronger or Stiffer? Tube vs Rod: Answers Here!

  • Thread starter Thread starter saravananrame
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    moment
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies the differences between strength and stiffness in hollow tubing versus solid rods. It establishes that for the same diameter, a solid rod is stronger due to its greater material presence, while a hollow tube exhibits higher stiffness. When comparing materials of equal weight, both configurations can achieve similar strength, but the hollow tube remains stiffer. The consensus is that the geometry significantly influences these properties, particularly the wall thickness of the hollow tube.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of material mechanics
  • Knowledge of stress and strain concepts
  • Familiarity with yield strength and its implications
  • Basic principles of structural engineering
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mechanical properties of materials, focusing on strength vs. stiffness
  • Explore the impact of geometry on material performance in engineering applications
  • Learn about the design considerations for hollow versus solid structures
  • Investigate real-world applications of hollow tubing in construction and manufacturing
USEFUL FOR

Engineers, material scientists, and students in mechanical or structural engineering who seek to understand the comparative properties of hollow and solid materials in design and application.

saravananrame
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
I have some serious confusion regarding the title for the following issue .

I have read on plethora of forums and sites, giving the explanation of why hollow tubing is stronger than solid rod of the same dia or weight by justifying as to why it bends the least .

This makes me ponder ! Stronger or stiffer ? Isn’t that least bending property under a given load ( of hollow tubing ) attributed to stiffness ?

I would also like to clear if these conclusions of mine are right ?

1. Of the same dia – Hollow tubing is stiffer but Solid rod is stronger (owing to the more material present in it )

2. Of the same weight – Hollow tubing is stiffer but both have the same strength (owing to the same amount of material in it - assuming the yield strength is independent of the geometry )

Would be very helpful if someone could kindly throw some light on the same !

Thanks
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Strength refers to the state of stress necessary to cause a material to fail when it is placed under load. This is very different from stiffness. The key word is failure.
 
saravananrame said:
I would also like to clear if these conclusions of mine are right ?

1. Of the same dia – Hollow tubing is stiffer but Solid rod is stronger (owing to the more material present in it )

The rod is stiffer and stronger. Hint: you didn't specify the ID of the tube so the wall thickness could be near zero.

2. Of the same weight – Hollow tubing is stiffer but both have the same strength (owing to the same amount of material in it - assuming the yield strength is independent of the geometry )

Would be very helpful if someone could kindly throw some light on the same !

Thanks

I believe the tube would be stiffer and stronger. One reference say a tube can be twice as strong.
 

Similar threads

Panel Structure vs. Solid Rod Structure
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Stronger tubes using internal structure?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
7K
How to Determine Maximum M and T in a Cantilever Shaft?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
Undergrad A different take on the hollow vs solid rod
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
10K
Working out the apropriate i.d. of a hollow tube
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K