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Hi,
Need help with compression members. All these while I have been using 1/4 * 1/4 Balsa compression members, tried various tension members both Balsa and Bass. In the last few tests I notice that 1/4*1/4 compression members break after reaching load of 9 kgs. Any suggestions on how to strengthen the compression members ? Should I go for different Balsa dimensions ?
Thanks.

Atlanta wrote:Hi,
Need help with compression members. All these while I have been using 1/4 * 1/4 Balsa compression members, tried various tension members both Balsa and Bass. In the last few tests I notice that 1/4*1/4 compression members break after reaching load of 9 kgs. Any suggestions on how to strengthen the compression members ? Should I go for different Balsa dimensions ?
Thanks.

1/4 x 1/4 seems like a good place to start, although you might want to consider slightly smaller dimensions to shave off some weight. Just remember that the strength of a compression piece is ultimately determined by how it is reinforced.

Atlanta wrote:Hi,
Need help with compression members. All these while I have been using 1/4 * 1/4 Balsa compression members, tried various tension members both Balsa and Bass. In the last few tests I notice that 1/4*1/4 compression members break after reaching load of 9 kgs. Any suggestions on how to strengthen the compression members ? Should I go for different Balsa dimensions ?
Thanks.

What are your bracing intervals?

MadCow2357 wrote:

Atlanta wrote:Hi,
Need help with compression members. All these while I have been using 1/4 * 1/4 Balsa compression members, tried various tension members both Balsa and Bass. In the last few tests I notice that 1/4*1/4 compression members break after reaching load of 9 kgs. Any suggestions on how to strengthen the compression members ? Should I go for different Balsa dimensions ?
Thanks.

What are your bracing intervals?

Hi,
The distance between two compression members is 5.5 cm and I have placed cross bracings at a distance of 6 cms each and total of 7 bracings.

Dreamz wrote:

Atlanta wrote:Hi,
Need help with compression members. All these while I have been using 1/4 * 1/4 Balsa compression members, tried various tension members both Balsa and Bass. In the last few tests I notice that 1/4*1/4 compression members break after reaching load of 9 kgs. Any suggestions on how to strengthen the compression members ? Should I go for different Balsa dimensions ?
Thanks.

1/4 x 1/4 seems like a good place to start, although you might want to consider slightly smaller dimensions to shave off some weight. Just remember that the strength of a compression piece is ultimately determined by how it is reinforced.

okay, will try a smaller dimension.

Atlanta wrote:

Dreamz wrote:

Atlanta wrote:Hi,
Need help with compression members. All these while I have been using 1/4 * 1/4 Balsa compression members, tried various tension members both Balsa and Bass. In the last few tests I notice that 1/4*1/4 compression members break after reaching load of 9 kgs. Any suggestions on how to strengthen the compression members ? Should I go for different Balsa dimensions ?
Thanks.

1/4 x 1/4 seems like a good place to start, although you might want to consider slightly smaller dimensions to shave off some weight. Just remember that the strength of a compression piece is ultimately determined by how it is reinforced.

okay, will try a smaller dimension.

I've seen a lot of teams using 1/8 x 1/4 compression beams (single beam each side). The double platform designs typically use four 1/8 x 1/8 compression beams.

mnoga wrote:

Atlanta wrote:

Dreamz wrote:
1/4 x 1/4 seems like a good place to start, although you might want to consider slightly smaller dimensions to shave off some weight. Just remember that the strength of a compression piece is ultimately determined by how it is reinforced.

okay, will try a smaller dimension.

I've seen a lot of teams using 1/8 x 1/4 compression beams (single beam each side). The double platform designs typically use four 1/8 x 1/8 compression beams.

Try U beams for compression.