The largest possible rotating wheel space station that can be constructed with current materials is fundamentally limited by the tensile strength of the materials used, rather than compressive strength. The maximum radius for such a structure is approximately double the breaking length of the material, as detailed in the concept of specific strength. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding both live load and dead load in the design, particularly how centrifugal effects impact the structural integrity of tension spokes. Additionally, the comparison between cart wheels and bicycle wheels illustrates the efficiency of material usage in structural design.
PREREQUISITESAerospace engineers, structural engineers, space habitat designers, and anyone interested in advanced space station concepts and structural integrity analysis.
Why? From that wiki article, this measures a material's ability to hold itself up, which is compressive strength. Why would this be relevant? I would think the limiting factor would be tensile strength. When you spin a ring, the ring wants to rip itself apart, not collapse together.DrStupid said:The maximum radius is around double the breaking length. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specific_strength for some values.
newjerseyrunner said:From that wiki article, this measures a material's ability to hold itself up