How much force until I screw this up?

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Don't know if there is a good site for this on the web somewhere.  I know some have some CAD software that can specify this, but I don't have it.If I have a 2x2x1/4" square tube, say 12-14' long (it will be in that range), and the ends are attached to a surface, how much pressure can it take in the middle with a hydraulic ram before I screw up the tubing?Essentially, I have a 16' span (pergola) that had a lot of snow on it this last winter (almost 2 feet one night while I was sleeping).  There is a piece of 6x1" c-channel in the vinyl span that was bent out of shape due to the weight  (a few inches).  It is pretty thin stuff... not sure what gauge, but I would guess around 16 gauge and galvanized.Anyway, I want to bend it back to remove the bend in the pergola...... and I was thinking about doing it with a hydraulic ram in the center while having the ends anchored to the beam I wish to bend back toward the ends (where the supports are and where there was the smallest amount of deflection).Thanks in advance.The Lord has declared, "This is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man"  Moses 1:39Link: My name is John, and I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.-- ColdCreekWorks.com --
Reply:just take a 20 ton bottle jack and a 4x4 and jack till you straighten it, go past level due to spring back and repeat as needed.. no engineering neededOf all the things I lost I miss my mind the most...I know just enough about everything to be dangerous......You cant cure stupid..only kill it...
Reply:Bear in mind that after straightening you will have significantly weakened the member.  If it was my structure I would add a brace on one side of the channel - otherwise you will see it fail (maybe completely) next time it is subjected to a good snow load or strong wind.Thin gage tubes and channels love to kink and fracture unless they are bent with a die.Licking my finger and sticking it into the wind…. The web is doing the all the work here - the legs prevent twisting, so you can probably add a 16ga plate over the web with a reasonable margin on either side of the bend.Hobart LX235Victor 250 Oxy-Acetylene Rig (welding and cutting)Bobcat 773F-350, 1999, 4x4, 16' 10K# trailerOutdoor Wood Burner - 10 cords/year
Reply:thx.  Maybe I can find a long piece of galvanized I can throw in it to help reinforce it.The Lord has declared, "This is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man"  Moses 1:39Link: My name is John, and I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.-- ColdCreekWorks.com --