Bended Bulk Head Support Tubes

[kirschen_anne]

Hi,

I have a question about the chassis design. Does someone know, if we are allowed to use bended tubes for the bulk head support?

kind regards

kirschen_anne

[Steve Yao]

I wouldn't. Bent tubes are, effectively, pre-buckled.

[fixitmattman]

If you were able to prove through structural equivalency that your bent tube is equally strong and resistant to buckling in compression as the minimum required tubing for the triangulated member I couldn't see why not. Although by the time you get a bent member to be equally strong it's going to be pretty thick walled and heavy compared to a straight member. That and all the discussion and FAQ's on the triangulation does not even consider a bent tube. I would suggest contacting the rules comitte and running this by them for review (however I suspect a No resonse).

[Ppada]

Well if your triangulation is before the bent you don't even have to prove anything.