Question 158845
It is shown in engineering that the maximum load a cylindrical column of circular cross-section can hold varies directly as the fourth power of the diameter and inversely as the square of the height.
load = k * d^4/h^2
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 If a column 16 feet high and 4 feet in diameter will support a load of 10 tons,
Find "k":
10 = k * 4^4/16^2
10 = k * 1
k = 10
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Equation now that we know k = 10:
load = 10 * d^4/h^2
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 how great a load will be supported by a column 20 feet high and 6 feet in diameter?
load = 10 * 6^4/20^2 
load = 32.4 tons
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Cheers,
Stan H.