Spanning 10' with unistrut

[REKIII]

What will the results be if I span 10' with Unistrut and hange a light in the middle of it?

I'm trying to not hang the lights from long cables, to avoid the sway. But I think a 10' span of unistrut might bow.

 

[Ilikeike]

The 1 1/2" stuff is pretty sturdy. I guess it depends on the weight of your fixture.

 

[bloomingtonmike]

Bigger stuff is 1 5/8".

Unistrut bought locally comes in 10' lengths although you can order 20' lengths online in bulk I believe. Unistrut will not bow under its weight + most fixtures you would use in a shed. If for some reason you have some that would bend it, and it is open air span where you cannot attach the unistrut in various spots, bolt a piece of angle iron to the top of the unistrut across the open span.

Maybe easier to just span the length with a 2X.

 

[cybrdyke]

1 5/8 x 1 5/8 strut, in a 10' span (supported at both ends) will hold 340 pounds if evenly distributed across the span. If it's just a concentrated load at one point, then it will hold 170 pounds, with a deflection of 1.1 inches.

 

[REKIII]

Excellent info. Thank you.

How about if I mount it in a 90° orientation....like how you bolt it to a wall, but still in a free span?

 

[richpa]

If you bolt 2 lengths of unistrut sections back to back this will increase the rigidity and will also increase the weight bearing load.

 

[cybrdyke]

Excellent info. Thank you.

How about if I mount it in a 90° orientation....like how you bolt it to a wall, but still in a free span?

Wont matter.

 

[55bigblockcid]

There are different types of unistrut.You can get double strut.It`s like 2 pieces of 1 5/8"x1 5/8" back to back. Very strong.

Link.
http://www.eberliron.com/355/P10011-58''x3-14''UnistrutDoubleChannel/category/1363.html