Gusset strength

[4EyedTurd]

Anyone know the strength differences in 1/8, 3/16, and 1/4" plate if used in the same shape and application off gussets?

[turbostang]

In relation to what? Like, a cage?

The strenght differences will vary quite a bit, I mean, I'd say that 99.99% of the time, thicker is better as long as it's within reason. If it's any thicker than the parent materials of what you're putting it on - then there's not a lot of sense to it.

[Sleeper]

Id use the thickest i could, but like brooks said never thicker than what the parent material is.

[Grape]

if you drill a hole in them, they get stronger, surface area increase on axis perpendicular to load.

[Mach1]

if you drill a hole in them, they get stronger, surface area increase on axis perpendicular to load.

can you explain this in further detail?

[Matt]

I don't see how that is possible..... Not even if you run a dimple die through them

[turbostang]

I'm assuming he's saying it's the same reason a 'pipe' is stronger that a solid bar. Surface area is signifigantly higher in a pipe since you have the outside diameter AND the inside diameter to contend with.

I can see it applying to a gusset as well, but not near as much since it's a flat piece of material (assuming we are not talking about tubular gussets.) The surface area only increases on the inner areas of the hole.

I'm sure there is a point of diminishing returns - as, you wouldn't want to drill a hole perpindicular to the axis of a tube to 'make it stronger'. You'd effectively be giving it a place to fold - but I'd think that would apply to a flat gusset as well. I guess it more depends on what kind of forces are applied as to whether or not it's stronger for a given application.

[Chas_svo]

can you explain this in further detail?

I was thinking the same thing. I've used both kinds and was informed by non-engineer cage builders that the flat gussets with holes were stronger, but every part of my engineering brain says "lighter" which would be insignificant, not stronger.

If he is asking about other types of gussets, the dimples are self explanatory...to me.

[Grape]

the surface area of the hole you create runs on the same axis as the 45 degree run of the gusset, in turn, adding surface area.

[Baron Von Crowder]

the surface area of the hole you create runs on the same axis as the 45 degree run of the gusset, in turn, adding surface area.

Would it not fold easier?

[Matt]

If the load is parrallel with the gusset, I can see it being stronger, but as soon as you get any type of side load then it becomes weaker since there is less material and allowing the gusset to buckle

[4EyedTurd]

In relation to what? Like, a cage?

The strenght differences will vary quite a bit, I mean, I'd say that 99.99% of the time, thicker is better as long as it's within reason. If it's any thicker than the parent materials of what you're putting it on - then there's not a lot of sense to it.

I'm building a plate front bumper for a pickup out of 3/16" plate that has a few angles. I already planned on gussets for added strength. I was bored last night and ended up making them out of 3/16. I understand that thinner than the parent metal=weak setup, but does it make the gusset pointless?

Grape, so do using dimple dies weaken it since the hole isn't exactly on the same plane?

[Grape]

Would it not fold easier?

it absolutely will fold easier in one direction, but gets stiffer in the other.

[Grape]

I'm building a plate front bumper for a pickup out of 3/16" plate that has a few angles. I already planned on gussets for added strength. I was bored last night and ended up making them out of 3/16. I understand that thinner than the parent metal=weak setup, but does it make the gusset pointless?

Grape, so do using dimple dies weaken it since the hole isn't exactly on the same plane?

dimples strengthen when a force is applied in a direction perpendicular to the center of the hole. Like the lightweight seats. this is hard to explain without being able to draw it.

[Z06killinsbf]

dimples strengthen when a force is applied in a direction perpendicular to the center of the hole. Like the lightweight seats. this is hard to explain without being able to draw it.

MS Paint, get to it.