20 questions about structural load resistance

General design > 20 questions about structural load resistance

20 questions about structural load resistance

1. How much stronger will my upgraded structure be?

The strength of the upgraded structure depends mainly on the yield strength of the material in it, how the geometrical features of the structure are changed, and on how the loads are introduced into the new structure. If the geometry of the upgraded structure remains unchanged and instability or fatigue are not an issue, the strength of the structure will increase proportionally with the increase in yield strength of the material. However, if the aim of the upgrade is to reduce weight by decreasing the thickness of the material, instability and fatigue become more likely and must be carefully considered. In such cases, the strength of the upgraded structure may not increase proportionally with the increase in yield strength, and the effects of instability and fatigue must be considered.

2. How much can the weight be lowered by using high-strength steels?

The weight reduction that can be achieved by using high-strength steels in a structure depends on various factors. These include the geometry of the structure and the yield strength of the high-strength material used in the upgrade. The potential weight reduction can be estimated using the rule of thumb, which is based on the square root of the yield strength ratio between the high-strength steel and the mild steel. However, it is important to note that factors such as the maximum allowed deflection in the structure, reduced fatigue life, and various instability phenomena can limit the potential weight reduction.