ᐅ Is a U-channel equally load-bearing from all sides?

Created on: 3 Mar 2023 11:27
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hg6806
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hg6806
3 Mar 2023 11:27
Hello everyone,

I have a general question.
If a U-shaped profile is simply supported at the ends and loaded in the middle, is its load-bearing capacity the same regardless of the orientation of the open side, or does it make a difference where the open side is positioned?
Intuitively, I would have thought that having the open side facing upwards would be stronger.
However, with various online calculators, you cannot rotate the profile, so it should be the same.

Sorry for the rather basic question, I’m not a structural engineer.
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derschwax
3 Mar 2023 11:43
Supported on the outside and load applied centrally from above, U-profile (equal-leg)

The open side positioned laterally has more than twice the moment of inertia compared to the open side at the top or bottom.