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To: NicknamedBob

the real mechanical bear in this design is that it must distribute two entirely different sets of stresses under radically different conditions - under planetfall on Earth, the primary stress is that of gravity thrusting through the dome lattice into the basal ring; under plantefal on Mars (or other similarly low PSI/significant gravity world) the thrust is countered to some extent by internal pressure; in space, the primary stress is the internal pressure.

I think the combination of geodesic strutwork, redundant self-sealing joints, and tensioning cables is a rather elegant solution.


2,695 posted on 04/15/2006 11:41:20 AM PDT by King Prout (The UN 1967 Outer Space Treaty is bad for America and bad for humanity - DUMP IT.)
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To: King Prout; fanfan
"I think the combination of geodesic strutwork, redundant self-sealing joints, and tensioning cables is a rather elegant solution."

That's what Fanfan said ...

"Our ship is pretty!"

2,701 posted on 04/15/2006 11:49:21 AM PDT by NicknamedBob (I don't want a World with empty dreams ... Dump the 1967 Outer Space Treaty Now! ... Farm Mars!)
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To: Darksheare; Darkchylde; NicknamedBob

"plantefal"???

DARKS!!!


2,703 posted on 04/15/2006 11:52:27 AM PDT by King Prout (The UN 1967 Outer Space Treaty is bad for America and bad for humanity - DUMP IT.)
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To: King Prout
"... it must distribute two entirely different sets of stresses under radically different conditions ..."

Actually, it's more than two. We have gravitational, rotational, and acceleration stresses to be distributed around a strangely articulated structure.

Nothing gives more rigidity than a cylindrical wall, anchoring tensioning cables and supporting struts in a radial configuration. The tiled surfaces have just enough give in their flexible sealing gaskets to be able to adjust along with the redistributed stresses.

Even with all the strength that our supporting arms have, we find it expedient to use tensioning cables to reduce wobble and help to balance the forces. In many respects, it's like an old-time sailing vessel, with some lines secured, and others belayed, and tremendous forces played against each other.

2,709 posted on 04/15/2006 12:00:02 PM PDT by NicknamedBob (I don't want a World with empty dreams ... Dump the 1967 Outer Space Treaty Now! ... Farm Mars!)
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