Tensile energy is the linear tensile energy per unit mass expressed in joules per kilogram. The tensile energy for glass, kevlar and graphite composite is roughly half of that of the fibers alone. The distance that a material can hang barely supporting its own weight is equal to the tensile energy divided by gravity. For T-1 steel on earth this distance is nine kilometers, for graphite composite on earth this distance is seventy one kilometers.

These values are for materials of the year 2001, the strength of glass composites and graphite composites has been increasing lately at about five percent per year. Carbon nanotube composites aren't available yet; but, should be by the year 2006. Tensile energy is used to calculate effective tensile and structure cost.

effective tensile = tensile dimensionality * tensile energy / safety factor / ( 1.0 + 0.13 * log( reusability ) )

structure cost = pow( ( empty mass / 10,000 ), structure mass scale ) * pow( ( tensile energy / 205,000 ), structure tensile scale ) * pow( ( exhaust velocity / 3,330 ), structure exhaust scale ) * ten ton structure price
 
 

This is used in astropolis, pumped rocket and rocket cost.
 
 

Feedback   Free Electronic Nation Home    Rocket   GNU Free Documentation License