PVC Enclosure Bracing Questions

[MarginatedMooney]

I'll be working on Phil's new PVC enclosure this weekend (I'll start another thread about the build). My plan is based off of @Sterant 's design in his sticky thread (referenced below) but I'm planning on making it 6'x3'.

Since it's 6', will I need a center brace or braces to keep the top from sagging in? Would 1 brace placed in the center be enough or should I have several braces spaced evenly, like maybe 3 or 4? If I had 4, could the center still sag without one directly in the center? Also, how tall should the braces be? Maybe 2 inches? Or 3 inches?

Building your own Expanded PVC Enclosed Chamber – For Beginners

I have recently been asked to do a post on building an enclosed chamber using PVC, and to tailor the post to those that have NO fabrication / wood working experience and the resultant lack of tools. So, that’s what this post is about. If you have even basic wood working or metal working skills...

www.tortoiseforum.org

 

[Tom]

If you are using 1/2 inch pvc sheets, then a single brace in the center should do it. I have several 8 foot AP enclosures and also one of the @Markw84 8 foot enclosures, and a single center brace work for them.

I will defer to the knowledge and experience of Mark and @Sterant

 

[MarginatedMooney]

Thanks Tom! Yes, I am using 1/2 inch pvc sheets.

 

[Tom]

Thanks Tom! Yes, I am using 1/2 inch pvc sheets.

There are center braces in the 8 foot and 6 foot enclosures, but not the 4 footers. I also made dividers out of white corrugated plastic, which can be seen in the pic, but you can see the braces here too.

 

[MarginatedMooney]

Looks like I could get away with 1 center brace then if that's all an 8 foot enclosure needs. Thanks again Tom!

 

[Markw84]

I would suggest a brace for sure in a 6 foot enclosure of 1/2" PVC. I would make the brace at least 3" wide 4" if that still looks OK to you. You want enough rigidity across 3ft and the 4" would give that.

I would still avoid stacking anything on top of the enclosure unless it comes all the way to the edges. The edges are where the strength is. An enclosure of the same size could easily be supported on top. Just don't put something with the weight bearing on the middle of the top.

 

[MarginatedMooney]

I would suggest a brace for sure in a 6 foot enclosure of 1/2" PVC. I would make the brace at least 3" wide 4" if that still looks OK to you. You want enough rigidity across 3ft and the 4" would give that.

I would still avoid stacking anything on top of the enclosure unless it comes all the way to the edges. The edges are where the strength is. An enclosure of the same size could easily be supported on top. Just don't put something with the weight bearing on the middle of the top.

Alright, thanks Mark! I'll plan on putting a 4" center brace in then. I'm not planning on putting anything on top. I'll remember that though.