Truss tubes of conventional design, work best on squat tubes. This minimizes deflection and the moment is directed down into the base instead of outwards into thin air. As the trusses get longer and the base line is relatively short. More stress is applied to the joints to keep the structure from wobbling. At some point there will be too much wobble and to much flexture in the poles to be useful The structure then needs to move into a third dimension so that more of the moment can be absorbed. Risers and guide wires that stress the truss poles in one direction are an example.

Aluminum tubing should work very well. For example 7"ID irrigation tubing for narrow field work.

Good Luck,
-Rick

• RE: Long narrow truss tubes - Walt Hamler - May 15, 2000 - 16:53 UTC