Finite element analysis isn't necessary. Hand analysis would be considerably
easier and as accurate.
As it turns out, the two ways to build that spar are equivalent.
With the first approach, there doesn't seem to be a technical reason to make
the dado 3/4" deep. All that's needed is to locate the web and provide
enough glue area to ensure a firm bond. Since most glues likely to be used
will be stronger than the wood in in-plane shear, a person could even glue
the caps to the web without the dado, if they hold the position while
clamping. But a nominal small dado would be better. Smaller dados would let
the builder make the web shallower, too, and therefore probably cheaper.
David Paule
>
> Has anybody done the finite element analysis on the strength provided by
> this method, Mike's second, in his picture? I was pondering this just
> last night...
