INTRODUCTION

This chapter describes various geometries available for

curved members and the methods used to bend these members.
Due to the wide variety of bending equipment available,
almost any structural shape can be curved, including
HSS, hot-rolled open sections, welded built-up members,
and multi-sided shapes formed by cold bending. Because
each bender/roller has different capabilities, the early communication
of bending requirements will allow potential
complications to be addressed in the preliminary design
stages.
2.2 BENDING GEOMETRIES
Members can be curved to create many different geometries.
Standard bends are the simplest type, where a member is bent
about a principal or geometric axis to form a single-radius
curve. Members can also be bent about a non-principal axis
or about more than one axis, providing three-dimensional
curvature. Bender/roller companies have the capability to
provide multiple arcs within a member, as well as parabolic,
elliptical and other non-circular bends. Spirals are another
common specialty bend. For specialty bends, the cost can
be several times that of a standard bend. Because there are
practical limits to bending capabilities, which are dependent
on the member properties, a bender/roller company should
be contacted for recommendations in the conceptual stages
of design.
2.2.1 Standard Bends
Standard bends, where a member is bent about a principal
or geometric axis to form a single-radius curve, are shown
in Figure 2-1. In this case, the member can be bent about the
weak axis, known as bending the easy way, or bent about
the strong axis, known as bending the hard way. Hard-way
and easy-way bending are sometimes called camber and
sweep, respectively. However, be aware that these terms
are typically also used to describe mill tolerances or a small
curvature induced in a beam to partially offset gravity-load
deflections. Standard bending orientations for several common
structural shapes are shown in Figure 2-2. Off-Axis Bends
For off-axis bends, also called conical rolling, the member
is curved about a non-principal or non-geometric axis
as shown in Figure 2-3. Most off-axis bends are fabricated
with a constant rotation relative to the plane of curvature;
however, they can also be formed with a variable twist along
the member axis. Special tooling is often required to limit
distortion and ensure dimensional accuracy. Off-axis bends
are used when members are both curved and sloped, and a
member axis must be parallel to the curved surface. In commercial
structures, this can occur in canopies, arched roofs,
and horizontal members in a dome. These members are also
used for circumferential stiffeners in industrial cone-shaped
plate structures, such as hoppers and stacks.