Dimensionless Criterion of Power Perfection of a Structure

Abstract

The problem of quantitative estimation of the power schemes of structures is considered. The integral characteristic of structures, the “power factor,” which simultaneously reflects the magnitude and extension of the action of internal forces arising from an external load, is discussed. Geometrically similar transformations of constructions are considered. As a measure of the effectiveness of power schemes, a dimensionless criterion is proposed, which is calculated as the ratio of the power factor to the characteristic size and load. Examples of the definition of this criterion for aircraft wings, pressure vessels and structures operating in bending and torsion are given. The application of a dimensionless criterion is demonstrated by comparing the variants of power schemes, building weight formulae for estimating the absolute and relative mass of structures and solving problems of multidisciplinary optimization.