I. Standardized C-Section Steel Profiles for PV Mounting

1. Common Model Specifications

  • Height-Based Classification‌:
    • C80 Series‌:
      • Dimensions: 80mm (H) × 40mm (B) × 20mm (C) × 2.0–3.0mm (T).
      • Applications: Low-load rooftop PV arrays (e.g., residential installations with spans ≤4m).
    • C100–C120 Series‌:
      • Example: C100×50×20×2.5 (Weight: 4.71 kg/m).
      • Use: Medium-span carport structures (5–6m spans) or high-wind regions (e.g., Gulf Coast projects).
    • C160–C200 Series‌:
      • Example: C160×60×20×3.0 (Weight: 7.536 kg/m).
      • Use: Industrial-scale PV plants with heavy snow loads (e.g., Inner Mongolia, 0.7 kN/m² design pressure).

2. Key Dimensional Parameters

Parameter Typical Range Impact on Performance
Web Height (H) 80–300mm ↑ Height improves bending resistance.
Flange Width (B) 40–80mm Wider flanges enhance torsional stability.
Lip Depth (C) 15–25mm Critical for edge stiffness and bolt connection integrity.
Thickness (T) 1.5–3.75mm Thicker steel (≥3.0mm) for high-corrosion/load zones.

II. Material & Quality Requirements

1. Steel Grade Selection

  • Q235B/Q355B‌: Standard carbon steel for inland projects (cost-effective, tensile strength: 375–500 MPa).
  • Q355D/Q420C‌: Low-alloy grades for Arctic applications (e.g., -35°C impact toughness).
  • Al-Mg Alloy (5052/6061)‌: Coastal/offshore use (salt spray resistance >1,000 hrs per ASTM B117).

2. Surface Treatment Standards

  • Hot-Dip Galvanizing (HDG)‌:
    • Coating Thickness‌: Minimum 80μm (275 g/m²) per ISO 1461; 120μm recommended for Middle Eastern deserts.
    • Quality Control‌: Magnetic gauge testing at 6+ points per batch to prevent under-coating (common defect: <45μm).
  • Zinc-Al-Mg Coating‌: Superior corrosion resistance (3–6× HDG lifespan), used in UAE’s NEOM project.

3. Mechanical Performance Criteria

  • Yield Strength‌: ≥235 MPa (Q235B) or ≥355 MPa (Q355B).
  • Tolerance‌:
    • Web height deviation: ±1.5mm (GB/T 706-2016).
    • Straightness: ≤2mm/m length.

III. Regional Application Guidelines

1. High-Wind Areas (e.g., Saudi Arabia, Oman)

  • Model‌: C140–C160 with 3.0mm thickness + supplementary bracing.
  • Wind Load‌: Designed for 0.7–1.0 kN/m² (60 m/s gusts).

2. Coastal/High-Humidity Zones (e.g., Qatar, UAE)

  • Material‌: HDG with 120μm coating or Al-Mg alloy C-sections.
  • Anti-Corrosion‌: Seal welded joints with epoxy mastic (e.g., ISO 12944 C5-M class)6.

3. Cold Climates (e.g., Kazakhstan, NW China)

  • Steel Grade‌: Q355D with Charpy V-notch ≥27J at -40°C.
  • Snow Load‌: C200+ profiles for 1.6 kN/m² snow pressure.

IV. Compliance & Certification

  • International Standards‌:
    • ISO 1461‌: HDG coating adherence.
    • ASTM A123‌: Zinc coating thickness for North American exports.
  • Testing Protocols‌:
    • Salt spray test (5,000 hrs for Zn-Al-Mg).
    • Load testing: 1.5× design load for 24 hrs (e.g., UL 2703).

V. Procurement Tips

  1. Avoid Non-Standard Thickness‌: Verify with calipers (e.g., labeled 2.5mm vs. actual 1.8mm)1.
  2. Bolt Hole Accuracy‌: ±0.5mm positional tolerance to prevent misalignment.
  3. Supplier Audit‌: Request mill test certificates (MTCs) for chemical composition.

For project-specific calculations (e.g., deflection under 1.2m spacing), provide site conditions for tailored recommendations.


Note: Specifications may vary by manufacturer; always cross-check with local engineering codes (e.g., Saudi SASO ASTM A992 for fire resistance).

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