Volume of a Hollow Tube

Hollow Tube Volume Formula:

\[ V = \pi \times h \times (R^2 - r^2) \]

Volume (cubic units):

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1. What is Volume of a Hollow Tube?

Definition: This calculator computes the volume of a hollow cylindrical tube based on its outer radius, inner radius, and height.

Purpose: It helps engineers, architects, and DIYers determine the material volume or capacity of hollow cylindrical objects like pipes, tubes, and containers.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ V = \pi \times h \times (R^2 - r^2) \]

Where:

\( V \) — Volume of the hollow tube (cubic units)
\( R \) — Outer radius of the tube
\( r \) — Inner radius of the tube
\( h \) — Height/length of the tube
\( \pi \) — Mathematical constant (~3.14159)

Explanation: The formula calculates the difference between the volumes of two solid cylinders (outer and inner) to determine the hollow space volume.

3. Importance of Hollow Tube Volume Calculation

Details: Accurate volume calculation is essential for material estimation, structural analysis, fluid capacity determination, and cost calculations in construction and manufacturing.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the outer radius, inner radius, and height in consistent units. All values must be positive numbers, and outer radius must be greater than inner radius.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if my tube is completely solid (no hollow center)?
A: Set the inner radius to 0, and the formula simplifies to the standard cylinder volume formula \( V = \pi R^2 h \).

Q2: Can I use different units for radius and height?
A: No, all measurements must be in the same units for accurate results. Convert all dimensions to consistent units before calculation.

Q3: How precise is the π value used?
A: The calculator uses PHP's pi() function which provides π to about 14 decimal places (3.1415926535898).

Q4: What's the difference between radius and diameter?
A: Radius is half the diameter. If you have diameter measurements, divide them by 2 before entering.

Q5: Can this calculate pipe material volume?
A: Yes, the result gives the volume of the pipe material itself when you subtract the hollow center volume from the total volume.