Notes on the design of latticed columns subject to lateral loads

No rational column formula has yet been developed which gives results which are sufficiently precise for the design of airplane members, and consequently it is necessary to fall back upon experimental testing. In order to derive the maximum benefit from experiments, however, it is necessary that the experiments be guided by theory. It is the object here to modify existing formulae that may be obtained with a minimum number of tests. A discussion is given that is limited to the case of a simple column supported at both ends and subjected to uniformly distributed loads perpendicular to its axis and to end loads either axially or eccentrically applied. Discussed here are forces in the bracing of latticed columns, the application of theory to practical columns, loads in lattice members, and the strength of individual lattices.