Step 3. Find the volume of metal contained in the
Table 2-2.--Weight of Various Gauges of Uncoated Plain
Steel Sheet Metal
pipe by subtracting the volume of cylinder 2 from the
volume of cylinder 1:
2337.0 - 1525.7 = 811.3 cu in.
Step 4. Find the weight of the pipe by multiplying
the volume of metal by the weight of steel, shown in
table 2-1:
811.3 0.284 = 230.4 lb
The weight of plate and sheet metal structures may
be found by computing the volume of metal contained
(in cubic inches), and then multiplying the volume by
the weight of the metal (per cubic inch), as shown in
table 2-2. As an example, find the weight of a steel
plate that is 68 inches in length, 44 inches wide and 1/2
inch thick. Using the formula weight = volume
weight of the metal per cubic inch, we use the
following procedure:
Step 1. Compute the volume of metal contained.
The weight of steel per square foot may be
Volume = length width thickness
determined by multiplying the thickness of the metal by
40.9. Table 2-2 lists the weight per square foot of the
V = 68 44 1/2
various gauges of uncoated plain steel sheet metal, and
also the decimal equivalents of the different gauges.
V = 1496 cu in.
Obviously, to calculate the weight of a particular
structure, you must be able to break the whole down
Step 2. Find the weight of the steel plate.
into its component geometrical parts, circles, squares,
Weight = volume of metal weight per cu in.
rectangles, pyramids, and so on, and determine their
respective volumes. Further, you need to know the
W = 1496 0.284
weight of metal per cubic inch. This information can be
found in a variety of handbooks readily available in the
engineer or repair department office. Table 2-1 gives
W = 424.86 lb
the information for a few of the more common metals.
When specific job requirements are known,
Table 2-1.--Weight of Common Metals
estimating of material needed is no problem. However,
when estimating requirements for future use, you will
have to anticipate your needs. Referring to records of
previous jobs and records of materials expended can
help eliminate much guesswork.
Priority of Work
In scheduling work in an HT shop, you will have to
consider the priority of each job. Most job orders will
have a ROUTINE priority; this means that they must be
done as soon as possible, within the normal capacity of
the shop. Jobs having an URGENT priority must be
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