Column Components

Glass plants are normally supported in a tubular structure formed of galvanised steel tubes. This type of structure is proved robust and flexible over many years.

SUPPORT OF COLUMN

Glass plants and pipelines should be supported correctly. To prevent inducing undesirable stresses in the glass, support should be rigid. When supported, glass should be in compression.

Generally, glass plants and equipment are supported in a rectangular tubular structure. This structure is formed of galvanised mild steel tubing with the cast iron fittings which are described in this catalogue. This type of structure provides enough flexibility for future modifications and is strong enough to support a glass unit.

Following rules should be followed while supporting a glass unit in a tubular structure:

1. The structure must be rigid. To give lateral support it must be braced back to the nearest wall or any rigid feature.
2. All glass columns are build up from a fixed point on which whole weight of the column should be taken. If total loads exceeds the permissible limits, counter balance supports should be used to relieve excessive weight.
3. With change in temperature, glass column and tubular structure expands at different rate. Therefore glass unit must be free for vertical movement above the fixed point. Hence, above the fixed point, guides supports should be used to give lateral support.

STRUCTURE TUBES, GALVANISED

For forming the structure, “B” class galvanised tubes, Mild Steel with Epoxy Coated, Stainless Steel 304 & 316 are used in size of 1/2″, 1″, 1.1/4″, 1.1/2″ and 2″. Cut tubes are available in required length to form a standard size structure. Cut tubes are provided with rubber plug at both the ends.

Available cut lengths

STRUCTURE FITTINGS

Following structure fitting are available to use with galvanised tubes in order to form a tubular structure for a glass plant. These fitting are made of Cast iron. Also available in Stainless Steel 304 & 316 and are suitable to the galvanised tubes described earlier. These slidable fittings are provided with grub screws to fix it at required position on a galvanised tube. These fittings are specially made to construct a tubular structure which provides enough flexibility for future modifications without involving any hammering and welding.

STRUCTURE FITTINGS – GENERAL DATA

STRUCTURE FITTINGS – BASE

These are to be used with vertical tubes. Holes are provided for foundation.

STRUCTURE FITTINGS – COUPLER

These are generally used to couple the vertical tubes where more length is require.

STRUCTURE FITTINGS – BEND

These are used to build frames on vertical tubes.

STRUCTURE FITTINGS – TEE

These are used to build frames on vertical tubes.

STRUCTURE FITTINGS -DOUBLE BEND

STRUCTURE FITTINGS – DOUBLE TEE

STRUCTURE FITTINGS – EQUAL BRACKET

STRUCTURE FITTINGS – UNEQUAL BRACKET

STRUCTURE FITTINGS – CROSS

STRUCTURE FITTINGS – SUPPORT

STRUCTURE FITTINGS – PLUGS

These are used to plug the open ends of galvanised tubes.

STRUCTURE FITTINGS – STUDS

These are used as screwed rods with supports.

STRUCTURE DIMENSIONS

For columns

For vessels (IN HEATING BATHS)

For vessels (IN HEATING MENTLES)

For vessels (IN VESSEL HOLDERS)

COLUMN BASE SUPPORT FRAMES

These channel frames are used as fixed support in erection of columns. These are supplied with full threaded jacking rods and U bolts.

GROUTING OF BASE

1. Take one Cast Iron BASE and four foundation Bolts, each with 2 nuts.
2. Fit the bolts in BASE so That base is raised upto 150mm from head of bolts.
3. Put this assembly on the floor and prepare a rough surface for proper bonding of grouting.
4. Make a concrete block over the bolts of about 200 x 200mm upto the base of BASE i.e. 150mm high.
5. Prepare separate block for each BASE instead of making one big common block. for all BASES.ASSEMBLING OF STRUCTURE

1. Mark the position of required fittings on all the vertical tubes, slide them in correct sequence and lightly tighten.
2. Assemble one side frame of the structure by adding the cross tubes between two vertical tubes.
3. Assemble other side frame of the structure by adding the cross tubes between other two vertical tubes.
4. Build up the cross tubes in one side frame and tighten lightly.
5. Add the other side frame on it and tighten all the fittings firmly.
6. Hoist the structure and brace it to some existing rigid feature.
7.Grout the foundation bolts and fix the structure bases with that.
8. Adjust bracing to obtain a correct plumb in structure.
9. Adjust the horizontal frames in correct level.
10. Assemble the support tubes at their positions.