Which is better for structural support PVC pipe or plywood?

Click For Summary
The discussion centers on selecting the best material for a 10ft long wing-like structure weighing approximately 200lbs. The options being considered are PVC piping and plywood, with a focus on strength, deflection, and weight. Participants emphasize the importance of beam shape in determining strength, suggesting that a box or triangular beam made from plywood could outperform PVC in terms of resistance to bending. Key factors such as material properties, load distribution, and potential designs are highlighted as critical to making an informed decision. Overall, plywood is generally considered to be stiffer and lighter than PVC, but the specific design and construction methods will significantly impact performance.
  • #31
Just a weight placed right in the middle like if there's a tube, a box beam and a hollow triangular structure each a meter long with the same wall thickness, held at either end and each with a force pressing down on the center. Which could withstand the most force?

Edit: And so sorry, I can't upload a 3D image
 
Last edited:
Engineering news on Phys.org
  • #32
Best support for that kind of structure is a pair of shaped plywood cuttings with spacers between .
 
  • Like
Likes berkeman
  • #33
Shaped how?
 
  • #34
oh so an anvil shape but would it hold out with 3m on either side and all the weight?
 
  • #35
I see that you have added some new dimensional information to one of your posts since I first read it .

To have cantilevered platforms as long as 3 metres on a narrow central support pillar is not a realistic proposition .

Possibilities :

Use three or more support pillars with metal bracing at intermediate and end locations .

Use multiple trestle leg supports under the whole lengths of the platforms - probably much easier for you anyway .
 
  • #36
Ok hmm I suppose I could try making support for the ends that could be placed after the wings
 
  • #37
Can you fix the construction to a wall ?
 
  • #38
No, I was planning on it to be mobile
 
  • #39
KISS IS THE EQUATION- you can build a bow -archery type- out of pvc -good luck with plywood.
 
  • #40
AamsterC2 said:
What I'm making is a long wing like structure for display, it will be about 10ft (3m) long and I'd like it to last a long time.

I'd be very reluctant to build anything from PVC if I wanted it to last a long time. PVC is a plastic type material and deforms plastically with the passage of time. Plywood has some of the same problems, but to a much lesser degree in most situations.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
13
Views
38K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
40
Views
4K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
7K