[Ravensfort] Tarps and such

[drew russell]

DSD is correct about the tension between the poles, but as long as the cable going between the poles is large enough the middle sag will be minimized.  I would suggest a cable no larger than a quarter inch, and no smaller than 3/8's inch in diameter.  I know Home Depot has pre-cut lengths of cable upto 100 feet.  and if it is done right, the poles we used for the BFG's could be used with the new tarp.
 
This is my two cents only.

Drew Russell
Life is like a dogsled team.
If you aren't the lead dog,
the scenery never changes.



 


From: ICC_DCE at SHSU.EDU
To: ENV_DRH at SHSU.EDU; ravensfort at lists.ansteorra.org
Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:52:49 -0500
Subject: Re: [Ravensfort] Tarps and such






Time to chime in…
How about we use an aluminum round pole or rectangular pole between the two post with or without a cable through the center?  Just a thought.  YIS Charles
 


From: ravensfort-bounces+icc_dce=shsu.edu at lists.ansteorra.org [mailto:ravensfort-bounces+icc_dce=shsu.edu at lists.ansteorra.org] On Behalf Of Hoffpauir, David
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 3:43 PM
To: ravensfort at lists.ansteorra.org
Subject: [Ravensfort] Tarps and such
 
I’ve been trying to get my head around the engineering on our pavilion project.
 
Currently we could lift a Volkswagen if we were going strait up.  That’s not the problem though.  We want to use the existing poles and cabling to go between the two uprights with a cover.  That is, rig something between the uprights that can be lifted using the current cabling by inserting a third cable between them.  So instead of just going up we are introducing tension between the two poles and, especially, the two cables.  
 
Anything attached to the third cable, with any weight at all, is going to pull the existing cables toward each other.  In my mind we’re going to have a major sag in the middle if there is much weight.  We also have to consider wind.  Any material that catches wind will eventually rip.  Catch too much wind and there goes the whole investment.
 
Options?  Canvas is just plain heavy.  Weatherized material (herculite) would be equally heavy for the size we’re suggesting.  Tarps, would work but are butt ugly.  Rip stop nylon (parachute material) is very light and strong, just hard to come by.  Plastic sheeting, um, forget I mentioned that…  
 
Another consideration is purpose.  Are we trying to shed water or block sunlight?  Both would be nice but really what is our most common situation?  Sunlight, I’d say.
 
So what might work?  Cotton painter’s drop cloths might be a alternative.  They come in various sizes, block light and could be decorated, painted, or weatherized.  They also can take abuse.  Check Home Depot.  Another alternative is just plain old bed sheets.  King size.  They are very light, allow air to pass through, could be decorated, come in colors, are easily sewn together, and are easily obtainable.  We could get a dozen at Good Sheppard Mission for almost nothing, or just hit garage sales.
 
Anyway just a few thoughts.  I’d hate to see us purchase a warehouse of expensive fabric that ends up not working.
 
As a suggestion, I’d say let’s do the bed sheet angle first and learn from there.  It’s the simplest approach, cheapest by far, and easiest to scrap if the engineering doesn’t work out.
 
Regards,
DSD
 
 
 
 
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