Composites and Steel Truss Structure
Composites and Steel Truss Structure
(OP)
Hello,
I would like to reduce the weight of a truss structure that my company currently manufactures. We want to keep the same strength but reduce the weight by as much as possible. I have heard many great things about composite structures, but what about a hybrid? Would a truss structure made of thin walled steel tubes and then wrapped in some type of composite sheet be practical? By wrapped, I mean the joints would be reinforced and the individual tubes would be wrapped too.
Does anyone know of something similar that is already being made?
Thanks,
Nick
I would like to reduce the weight of a truss structure that my company currently manufactures. We want to keep the same strength but reduce the weight by as much as possible. I have heard many great things about composite structures, but what about a hybrid? Would a truss structure made of thin walled steel tubes and then wrapped in some type of composite sheet be practical? By wrapped, I mean the joints would be reinforced and the individual tubes would be wrapped too.
Does anyone know of something similar that is already being made?
Thanks,
Nick





RE: Composites and Steel Truss Structure
RE: Composites and Steel Truss Structure
RE: Composites and Steel Truss Structure
Is this a structure you want to develop/manufacture in-house? Or, are you considering outside assistance.
RE: Composites and Steel Truss Structure
It seems at this point and time that we would need to outsource manufacturing for this project. My company is more into welding steel. We have only recently released a small project which requires welding aluminum. I am looking long term with the composite material.
RE: Composites and Steel Truss Structure
Maybe you could get some strength and $ information on beams that are exclusively composite. You may find that the logistics and disadvantages of a steel / composite beam vs. just a composite may have diminising returns.