2 ms·

I disagree. I think "fixed" means the tube attached to the pillar to prevent it from jumping out of it. See rings in figure 3 (page 11): http://www.spacex.com/

• anologwintermut 13y ago
  Given that the proposal describes dampers used to absorb change, I think this is wrong. By building a system on pylons, where the tube is not rigidly fixed at any point, you can dramatically mitigateEarthquake risk and avoid the need for expansion joints. Tucked away inside each pylon, you could place two adjustable lateral (XY) dampers and one vertical (Z) damper. These would absorb the small length changes between pylons due to thermal changes, as well as long form subtle height changes (see page 11)
  • ash 13y ago
    It says dampers absorb change. But it doesn't mean only dampers do that. Of course they couldn't handle hundred meters expansion (near ends). I don't believe Musk would make such an easy mistake and force dampers handle all of thermal expansion. That said, the quoted text is somewhat confusing. I had to read it a few times before I got the idea.
  • rossjudson 13y ago
    See section 4.2.3. The tube will be supported by pillars which constrain the tube in the vertical direction but allow longitudinal slip for thermal expansion as well as dampened lateral slip to reduce the risk posed by earthquake.