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418

THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE.
Book II.
may observe, that tliose of Parent and otliers give results which confirm the rule, llie
experiments, however, of Burton, having been matle on a larger scale, show that the strength
of pieces of timber of the same size, lying horizontally, does not diminish exactly in the jn')-
portion of their length, as the theory whereon the rule is founded would indicate. It be-
comes, therefore, proper to modify it in some respects.
1610. Buffon's experiments show that a beam as long again as another of the same
dimensions will not bear half the weight that the shorter one does. Thus

A beam, 7 -402 ft. long, and 5-330 in. square, broke with a
weight of
. . . - -
12495-OG lbs. avoirdupois
Anotlier, 14-924 ft. long, of the same dimensions, broke with a
weight of - - - - - 5819.04
A third, 29-848 ft. long, of the same dimensions, bore before
breaking - - - - -
2112-48
By the rule, the results should have been, for the 7-462 ft. beam 12495 60
for that of 14-924 - 6247-80
for that of 29-848 - 3123-90
Whence it appears, that owing to the elasticity of the timber, the strength of the pieces,
instead of forming a decreasing geometrical progression, whose exponent is the same, forms
one in which it is varial)le. The forces in question may be represented by the ordinates of
a species of catenarian curve.
1611. In respect, then, of the diminution of the strength of wood, it is not only pro-
portioned to the length and size, but is, moreover, modified in proportion to its absolute
or |irimlti\e force audits flexibility
;
so that timber exactly ofthe same quality would give
results following the same law, so as to form ordinates of a curve, exhibiting neither
inflection nor undulation in its outline : thus in pieces whose scantlings and lengths
form a regular progression, the defects can only be caused by a difference in their primitive
strength
;
and as this strength varies in pieces taken from the saine tree, it becomes im-
jjossible to establish a rule whose results shall always agree with experiment ; but by
taking a mean primitive strength, we may obtain results sufficiently accurate for practice.
l"'or this jjurpose, the rule that nearest agrees with experiment is

1st. To subtract from the primitive strength one third of the quantity which
expresses the number of times that the depth is contained in the length of tlie
piece of timber.
2d. To multiply tiie remainder thus obtained by the square of the length.
3d. To divide the product by the number expressing the relation of tlie depth to the
length.
Hence calling the primitive strength - - - = a

the number of times that the depth is contained in the length = b

the depth of the piece - - - = d

the length - - - - = Z
The general formula will be,
1612. Suppose the primitive strength a =64-36 for each 1-136 square rme(=l Inie
French), we shall find for a beam 5-330 in. s(juare, by 19"188 ft. long, or 230256 inches,
that the proportion of the depth to the length
=*^.;|^
=43-2 =
6.
1613. The vertical depth beii
g
5-330
or 63960 lines, d- will be 4089-88; substituting
.1 1

j.\ c
, axd- d- , C4-3(; X 4089 88 4089-88 ,
r
these values in the formula
-
,
we have
-

=406799, inste;id of
4120 20, the mean result of t.vo beams of the same s-cantlings in the experiments of
Biron,
1614. Mr. Gwilt has stated that the world generally, the architect and engineer
especially, are indt.bted to Budbn, from whom certain tables have emaijated, which were
the result of laborious
experiments and deserved much consideration. These several
tables have been omitted in this edition of the Encyclopavlia, :.s having bt en supcr-eded
by vlie more recent and scientific investigations in England of Roliison, Young, Bevan,
Ilcnnie, Tredgold, Barlow, Modgkinson, Fairbairn, Laslett, with others, from some of
whose treatises passages have been adopted herein. The results of their more modern
investigations have been to benefit botli the architect and engineer, by bringing tlie aid
ol mailieniatical
investigations,
to found upon their experiments safe and general rules
for practice.

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