On the magnitude of permissible deformations in light alloy structures

Abstract

The low modulus of elasticity of light alloys based on aluminum and, accordingly, the large deformations of elements made of these alloys, compared to steel elements (lower rigidity), often raise doubts about the possibility of using light alloys in structures with strictly regulated permissible deformations. By analogy with steel structures, the same conditions are imposed on structures made of light alloys in terms of rigidity as on steel ones. This greatly limits the possibility of using light alloys in the construction industry. Other properties of light alloys, on the contrary, favor their use in metal structures instead of steel. Particularly broad prospects are opening up for the use of light alloys in the structures of skips and cages, which will provide a significant reduction in the dead weight of vessels during mine hoisting. The rigidity of the structure can be increased and, thereby, the deformations reduced in two ways: either by increasing the modulus of elasticity of the material, or by increasing the cross-sectional area of the element (moment of inertia).

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