Re: [Phys-l] Another tire question

[Brian Whatcott <betwys1@sbcglobal.net>]

At 12:58 AM 11/9/2007, you wrote:
> ....
> bc hopes he got it correct.
>
> >     And yes, a wire-spoked wheel can be considered
> > at a naive level to be suspended from the upper spokes.
>
>
>
> Naive?    I must be confused, I thought that was sophisticated!


That's not an unusual response from folks who claim physics
 as their avocation!
Sophisticated (in this context) means you can understand a
pneumatic tire can be contrived with NO contribution from its
upper half, and that this can be made to function on a spoked wheel
assembly.   ["Oh! That's a different case."   :-)  ]

It highlights the question: in a tension structure, how are
compressive loads reacted?

 Civil engineers deal with this loading issue when they specify a
 tension roof, and need to demonstrate how it will handle
 snow/ice loads.
 But I digress....


Brian Whatcott    Altus OK    Eureka!