Mark Chapman Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Talking to a wood worker last night, the question came up why are barrels still curved. They are no longer rolled anywhere. The certainly could be banded other ways (rather than driving bands on). A lot of wood is consumed (wasted) making traditional barrels. The curved design demands a high skill level in manufacture to not leak. Is this simply another tradition? Mark Chapman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohninWV Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 They are still rolled a significant amount. Factories that make them roll them and places that use them roll them....a bunch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwydion Stone Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 They're also much stronger. The joints between the tapered staves work the same as the keystone in an arch, except that with the barrels, every stave is a keystone. With the constant tension exerted by each of the bent staves, which are forced into place with a winch, every stave is essentially clamped into place by its two neighbors. A barrel with straight sides only has the tension of the hoops to hold the staves in place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porter Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 They're also much stronger. The joints between the tapered staves work the same as the keystone in an arch, except that with the barrels, every stave is a keystone. With the constant tension exerted by each of the bent staves, which are forced into place with a winch, every stave is essentially clamped into place by its two neighbors. A barrel with straight sides only has the tension of the hoops to hold the staves in place. Think of taking a straight barrel and putting downward force on it. Slightest side motion will cause it to collapse. That's why eggs aren't straight sided, and PETA would probably have a problem with how bad it would hurt a chicken to lay one. The sides being curved also add to the strength when on it's side. Just as the keystone you mentioned. Barrells laying flat will collapse if not filled with product, once you reach a certain height. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Barrel Mill Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 Think of taking a straight barrel and putting downward force on it. Slightest side motion will cause it to collapse. That's why eggs aren't straight sided, and PETA would probably have a problem with how bad it would hurt a chicken to lay one. The sides being curved also add to the strength when on it's side. Just as the keystone you mentioned. Barrells laying flat will collapse if not filled with product, once you reach a certain height. True! Love the egg analogy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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