How to Measure the Square Footage of Metal Tubing
- 1). Measure the diameter of the tubing. Divide the diameter measurement in half to determine the tubing's radius; the distance from the edge of the tubing to the center. As an example, if the tubing has a diameter of six inches the radius would be equal to thee inches
- 2). Square the radius of the tubing by multiplying the radius by itself. If the radius is three inches, than three inches squared would be equal to nine inches (3 x 3 = 9).
- 3). Execute the first part of the algebraic equation (2 x pi x radius squared) by multiplying two by Pi (3.142) by the squared radius of the tubing to calculate the area of the two ends of the tubing. For example, if the radius of the tubing is nine inches than the area of the ends of the tubing would equal 56.56 inches (2 x 3.142 x 9 = 56.56).
- 4). Carry out the second part of the algebraic equation (2 x pi x radius x height) by first measuring the length of the metal tubing. Then calculate the area of the side of the tubing by multiplying two x Pi by the radius by the height (or length) of the tubing. Using an example, if the tubing has a radius of three inches and a length of 24 inches, the area of the side of the tubing would be equal to 452.45 square inches (2 x 3.142 x 3 x 24 = 452.45)
- 5). Add the area of the ends of the tubing in the first part of the equation to the area of the sides in the second part of the equation. In the example a tube with an end area of 56.56 inches and a side area of 452.45 would have a total (rounded) surface area of 509 square inches (56.56 + 452.45 = 509).
- 6). Convert the square inches to square footage by dividing 509 by 144 (square inches in a foot) that will equal approximately three 1/2 square feet of surface area (509 / 144 = 3.534). The full equation would be expressed as: Area = (2 x 3.142 x 9) + (2 x 3.142 x 3 X 24) = 56.56 + 452.45 = 509 / 144 = 3.534
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