Yes of course the strength an type of tubing plays a large part as well.
It has to be understood that building one plane in parallel with another plane does nothing for strength.
If that were the case there would be no reason for having structural steel in the shape of I-beams and C-channel guys.
As a matter of fact and I-beam is a perfect example of the entire theory.
If you can imagine an I beam with out the center web, and it is just two planes parallel, both planes would have the ability to flex. Add the web to attach the two and you have a very structurally sound piece of material.
This is exactly why I say, this isnt a matter of my opinion. Its fact.
Now, I have been very intentional to not claim it does absolutely nothing, but rather "This method is NEXT to pointless". I do understand that you will get a little added structure from this, but the amount has to be damn near immeasurable.
However, even a stitched weld across the floor at several points will begin to make matters better if you have connectors that "float" away from the pan.
