[Edited on 2/6/2010 by mcerd1]
I'd guess that there's a ratio of tube size to triangle size. Does anyone know what it is? Too small and you're adding metal for no real gain. Too large and I suppose the tubes would buckle. What's the ideal ratio?
depends on what size/type of tube your using
[Edited on 2/6/2010 by mcerd1]
quote:
Originally posted by mcerd1
depends on what size/type of tube your using
A lot depends on the specific loading of the tubes more than anything. A tube loaded in tension can be much smaller in section and longer in length as
it wont see a compressive load. However, the same load in the opposite (compressive) direction will have to be much shorter and/or bigger in section
to resist the bucking tendencies that a long thin tube will have.
Check out slenderness ratio....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckling
A lot depends on the specific loading of the tubes more than anything. A tube loaded in tension can be much smaller in section and longer in length as
it wont see a compressive load. However, the same load in the opposite (compressive) direction will have to be much shorter and/or bigger in section
to resist the bucking tendencies that a long thin tube will have.
Check out slenderness ratio....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckling
I've not designed a chassis before so take this with large pinch of salt (but I do design steel structures for a living)
from the chassis I've seen I'd guess its more about getting the angle of the bracings right, most seem to have the bracing doen the sides at
30-40 deg. from the horizontal
if they are too shallow then they will just act like another beam/ rail, too steep and they might as well be vertical
whats right for your one will depend on what load it needs to carry, what direction that acts in and the proportions of your main chassis rails (i.e.
lenght vs gap between them)
personaly the size of the tubes is the last thing I decide - I'll guess a geometry and rough tube size, play with the geometry a bit till the
loadings work out about right, then do the final size up on the tubes based on the loading in each one
of course if you were designing a robin hood then you don't need may bracings at all
[Edited on 2/6/2010 by mcerd1]
quote:
Originally posted by Alan B
Check out slenderness ratio....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckling
Of course,all dependent on the point of triangulation being otherwise supported.
I M H O
quote:
Of course,all dependent on the point of triangulation being otherwise supported.