huangyhg

structural aluminum
i am intersted in using aluminum for exterior deck elelements like newels, rails and pickets. i am interested in using stock extrusions. i am figuring that i can use the same forumalas for steel or wood using section modulus and moment of inertia to figure max moment and deflection. can someone direct me to stress grade values for commonly available aluminum extrusions.
thanks eli fishpaw (architect)
the aluminum design guidelines are not all the same as wood and steel. but for standard compact sections you should be ok if you use a factor of safety of 2 or more. i usually check outstanding flanges, web buckling and be sure of the net section where fasteners are used. welded sections may lose strength, depending on alloy.
the definitive book you need is from the aluminum association, at

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