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

SUPPORT OF COLUMN

Glass plants and pipeline 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 plant 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:

• The structure must be rigid. To give lateral support it must be braced back to the nearest wall or any rigid feature.
• 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.
• 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

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.

COUNTER BALANCE SUPPORTS

When the total weight of the column is more and it can not be supported on fix support at the bottom, excessive weight is releived by counter balance supports. The maximum load which can be supported on fix support and minimum force require to support the sealing of coupling are as under.

The counter weight acts through two levers on the lower backing flange. The maximum lever ratio is 1:10. More than one counter balance supports can be used to relieve to relieve the excessive load keeping minimum force require to support the sealing of coupling.

GROUTING OF BASE   

ASSEMBLING OF STRUCTURE