The discussion centers around the differences in thickness between tensile cables and struts, particularly why cables are typically thinner when used as ties. Participants explore the mechanics of tension and compression, questioning the underlying principles that dictate these design choices.
The discussion includes multiple competing views and remains unresolved, with participants expressing different levels of understanding and proposing various explanations for the observed differences in cable thickness.
Some assumptions regarding material properties and structural behavior are not explicitly stated, and the discussion does not resolve the mathematical implications of the proposed equations.
lekh2003 said:I have tried looking on several forums on the internet as well as some educational sites and I oddly have no clue why thin wires are better at tying. The question is now stuck on my mind.
Is there anyone working in the practical field who can shed some information on this?
Thanks, I'll look into it.jonnybmac said:I think I have cracked it thank you.
When in tension it is only loaded axially so the strength is force the over cross-section area, but in compression you have buckling that stops the member reaching its maximum strength, and that if you look at the bending equation or Euler's column formula, they both rely on the moment of inertia which is affected by shape.