Thread: Why is it so?

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Which is stronger - round or square?

I'm guessing square can be stiffer at a given diameter as the distance corner to corner is greater than a similar OD round tube/bar(column?)

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Which is stronger - round or square?

Piles are loaded in compression, so surface area of the pile which cintacts the ground is what offers the resistance to the buildings weight, so round in that regard, but there's a whole lot more to take into consideration and I don't know why the different shapes are used. I chat to Engineers that have just done this their whole lives and most of what they say goes in ine ear and out the other - it's a very technical area. Next time I'll ask more questions...

Originally Posted by johntins

Not sure, but if you mean grille, then no. RR did not have grilles, they had radiator enclosures, and they were perfectly vertical, thank you very much.

But, I believe, with the sides very slightly bowed, so they look perfectly straight. A practice referred to as "entasis", and first seen in architecture. Best known in ancient Greek columns, but used in many cultures.

Thanks John, I stand corrected. I saw it on a show about building Rolls Royces some time ago.

Originally Posted by JDNSW

But, I believe, with the sides very slightly bowed, so they look perfectly straight. A practice referred to as "entasis", and first seen in architecture. Best known in ancient Greek columns, but used in many cultures.

Pretty much what I was pointing out re the Taj Mahal. And, I believe that you are correct on the taller RR rads, such as the Phantoms. I'd have to dig to find if the 20HP or 20/25s did that. I doubt that the 20, or the 40/50 did, but I stand to be corrected.

Pedro: Homestar and trig are on the money.
Circular piles are usually bored piles or pored (concrete and steel ) into the hole. the hole bored by the auger drilling rig.
Square piles are normally driven (hammered) into the ground.
Selection depends on ground conditions. Dry, moist, wet soils and what’s constructed on top or around it.
Bored piles rely on the end bearing capacity... the round area at the bottom of the hole. Driven piles rely on the end bearing and the skin friction on the sides between the soil and pile (concrete or sometimes steel).