Recent content by bobbybloom

If I were to use a multi-walled polycarbonate or acrylic sheet for this application, how would that affect my calculations. The multi-walled sheets are built with a cell like structure in various thicknesses. Could I simply use the thickness of the multi-walled sheet as though it were a solid...

Thanks for the help. I've been toying with the efunda as well as another beam calculator and now I'm getting a better idea of the forces that would apply. If the structure were supported by internal pillars every 12 inches, would that change the effective dimensions for calculation of...

That sounds like a very handy calculator. Could you provide me with a link? I can't seem to find it.

Thank you for the help and reality check, I will post the question in the Engineering Forum for further assistance.

I understand the cylindrical shape is superior, but if you could indulge my insanity for a moment...suppose I were to attempt such an absurd construction. How do I go about calculating how thick it would it need to be? And what property of the sheet is it testing? Is it the tensile strength...

I'm uneducated in Physics so I'm not sure where to begin with this. I want to build a vacuum chamber that is rectangular and fairly flat. It will measure 48"X96"X8" I plan on constructing it from clear polycarbonate sheet on one face (would clear acrylic be a better choice?) and aluminum sheet...