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Linear scaling

Linear scaling

Linear scaling

(OP)
I came across the phrase linear scaling when reading some material about structural analysis and load distribution and I have not been able to find out what the phrase means.  Does anyone have a definition?  I have asked a few people at work and they are not familiar with the phrase, so I am wondering if it is also known as something else?  Thanks for your help.

RE: Linear scaling

Wow, this is done in so many situations that it's hard to know which you're looking for.  Examples:

Say I know that the deflection for a steel beam due to 1.5 kips/ft is 1.25 in. and want to know the deflection due to 2.0 kip/ft.  Linearly scaling it up: 1.25 in. (2/1.5) = 1.67 in.

Loads are linearly scaled up using load combination factors.

If the moment of inertia for a 6 in. wide plate is [whatever], then the MOI for an 8 in. wide plate is [whatever]*(8/6)

If a 2 lb sinusoidal load causes 0.5%g acceleration, then a 3 lb load causes 0.5*3/2

The examples are endless.

RE: Linear scaling

(OP)
Sorry for the ambiguity of my post.  Specifically, I saw this when reading about the distribution of loads in a braced frame structure.  It was refering to taking the total vertical load of a structure and determining the load in a brace member by linear scaling of the force.  Hope this clarifies my question.  Thanks for the response.

RE: Linear scaling

Are you referring to the Maxwell Diagram for solving loads in pinned trusses?

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

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