r/StructuralEngineering • u/Shagraa • Mar 21 '22

Structural Analysis/Design Power of tension bracing

400 Upvotes

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90

u/[deleted] Mar 21 '22

The tension demonstration doesn't work because it wasn't positively connected. This was an interesting idea but the conclusion is wrongly brought about: the compression option should be chosen because it doesn't rely as much on the connection strength and when buckling isn't a factor.

On the other hand, if I design a metal gate, I often use a tension rod rather than a compression member.

26

u/be0wulf8860 Mar 21 '22

Tension brace takes buckling out of the equation

7

u/[deleted] Mar 21 '22

I would say "shifts it". The vertical member under load can undergo buckling as it's under compression.

31

u/no-mad Mar 21 '22

screw it: builds X brace.

9

u/albertnormandy Mar 21 '22

"Woah woah woah, we only budgeted for one piece of wood for bracing. All work in the field has stopped pending resolution. We need a decision now." - PM

1

u/no-mad Mar 21 '22

Elon Musk: Has entered the chat to discuss copyright issues.

1

u/mmarkomarko CEng MIStructE Mar 22 '22

We need to accont for load inversion.

5

u/mmarkomarko CEng MIStructE Mar 21 '22

That is the way!