Thinking of using PVC pipes to support a load? Wondering how strong PVC pipe is and how much weight it can support?
Well, PVC pipe is surprisingly stronger than it looks. No wonder it’s the pipe of choice in many applications, including underground piping, drainage and plumbing.
But like all materials, PVC has its limits and will eventually crack or tear when the load exceeds its tensile strength. How much weight the PVC pipe can support horizontally will depend on factors such as the size and length of the pipe.
If you intend to use this pipe in any application, it is essential to know how much weight the pipe can support horizontally and vertically.
Many are needed to calculate the maximum weight that the PVC pipe can support. In this article, I will explain a basic technique you can use to find out how much weight your PVC pipe can support.
So without further ado, let’s get started!
Types of resistance measurements for PVC pipes
As a general rule, you should never put a heavy load on horizontal PVC pipe. With the exception of large pipes built for industrial use, most PVC pipes we use in home and light commercial environments are not built to withstand heavy loads over 28 pounds.
The average weight of PVC pipe it can hold horizontally is about 28 pounds. The more you exceed this threshold, the greater the risk of pipe rupture.
That said, there are several strength measurements to consider when determining how much weight your pipe can support.
1. Tensile strength
When determining how much weight PVC pipe can hold horizontally, tensile strength is the most commonly used measurement criterion.
Tensile strength is the maximum stress that a cross-section of test pipe can withstand when a vertical load is applied to both ends of the pipe.
In general, the tensile strength of PVC pipe increases as the pipe size increases. Invariably, smaller size PVC pipes are weaker than larger ones and will bend and buckle under light load.
2. Bending strength
The bending strength of PVC pipe is the maximum stress that the test pipe can withstand before breaking, where the pipe is supported between two points and a vertical load is placed in the center.
3. Compression resistance
The compressive strength of PVC pipe is expressed in terms of the maximum stress that the pipe can withstand before breaking when a load is applied vertically to the test pipe sandwiched between two pipe panels.
4. Fatigue resistance
Another measure of strength is the fatigue strength of PVC pipe. This value is the maximum strength at which the pipe would not break after repeatedly applying the stress 7 to 10 times. In other words, fatigue strength is the amount of stress that the pipe can withstand after repeatedly placing a load on it.
Measuring the maximum weight the PVC pipe can hold horizontally
Many factors influence the maximum weight that PVC pipe can support before breaking. The primary variables are pipe length and nominal diameter size.
In general, the longer the pipe, the lower the resistance of the pipe. Longer pipes can self-deform quickly, meaning they are weaker and can easily snap on themselves, making them unsuitable for heavy loads. If you are dealing with pipes longer than four feet, avoid placing heavy loads on the pipe.
Another factor to consider is the pipe size, or nominal outside diameter measured in inches. The smaller the pipe size, the more prone it is to breakage. In other words, thin pipe will not handle heavy loads as well as thicker pipe.
For example, PVC pipe with a horizontal length of 2 ft and a nominal diameter of 1/2” can only support a load of about 5 lbs. Instead, take a pipe that measures 1 ft. long with a nominal diameter of 2 inches – this pipe can support a whopping 70 lb. load.
As you can see, go for slightly thick, medium length pipe to support the maximum weight. Ideally, the PVC pipe that can take the most stress is less than four feet long with a nominal diameter of no less than 1 1/4.”
So how do physicists determine how much load a given length and size pipe can withstand?
They place the pipe between two supports and apply external force by placing a load on the pipe. Then measure how much of the pipe bends in the center. This indicates the maximum weight that the pipe of various lengths and sizes can support.
The estimated weight the PVC pipe can support horizontally will vary depending on the size and length of the pipe. To determine how much load the PVC pipe can support vertically, multiply the horizontal load by 2.8. This value will be useful if you want to use a vertical pipe to strengthen the strength of the PVC pipe placed horizontally.
Note that the maximum weight that PVC pipe can support is measured when the load is placed in the middle of the pipe. The pipe may not be able to support the same load if the load is placed at one end of the pipe.
This is because measurements such as tensile strength, fatigue strength and bending strength of PVC pipe are calculated when both sides are supported equally.
The dynamic changes when a load is placed at one end of the pipe because the tensile strength now only supports part of the load, putting more stress on the pipe.
Tips for reinforcing PVC pipes for increased load-bearing capacity
If you must use PVC pipe to support a load, you should watch the entire system to ensure that the pipe does not break or break suddenly.
When the pipe sags more than an inch or shows signs of coiling, this is a sign that the load exceeds the strength or ability of the pipe to withstand the load. To prevent other structural problems that can cause breakage and to increase the load-bearing capacity of the pipe, you should reinforce the pipe.
Here are some tips for reinforcing PVC pipes:
- Add vertical supports: Add vertical supports to increase the horizontal bearing capacity of the pipe. Vertical props will strengthen the system and reduce stress in horizontally laid pipes.
- Place the prop closer to the middle: The position of the prop matters when reinforcing PVC pipes. You will have better results when you place reinforcements closer to the center. This will minimize bending and warping, structural problems that compromise the strength of the pipe.
- Minimize bending using Kevlar ropes: In addition to vertical supports, Kevlar ropes are also useful for keeping the PVC pipe as straight as possible. This prevents bending and keeps the PVC pipe systems strong enough to support the maximum weight.
All in all, you should avoid putting extremely heavy loads on PVC. This pipe material is strong in itself, but the truth is that it is not built for heavy weights.
Where possible, use PVC pipe for load-bearing vertical applications. When you position the pipe horizontally, you are already working against gravity, increasing the stress on the system. This explains why the maximum bearing capacity of horizontal PVC pipes is significantly lower than that of vertical pipe systems. Unless absolutely necessary, avoid horizontal pipe configurations and use vertical ones instead.
Summary: How much weight can PVC pipe support horizontally
PVC pipe has many applications in domestic, commercial and industrial environments. All three sectors use different sizes and lengths of pipe depending on the particular application.
Different pipe sizes have different bearing capacities; the positioning of the piping system – whether it is vertical or horizontal also influences the amount of load the system can carry.
The amount of weight the PVC pipe can hold horizontally is about 28 pounds, but this will vary depending on the length of the pipe and the nominal diameter. Be sure to understand the load-bearing capacity of the pipe before placing any weight on it.
