[TheForge] Re: helical railing calculations

[Rob Pierce]

Bruce and all,
Hi, newbie here. Interesting subject.
Your theory reminded me of creating a faceted helix in CAD.
Here is a visual of what I interpreted your thesis to be,
I gave the number of sections per cycle, 6 cycles total and the total 
length is 4' 6"
radius is 6" Top, side and 3/4 views. I used flat straight and not 
flat curved though.
http://www.pierceproductions.net/helix.jpg
Rob

>
>
>Some of you may recall that I play with math for entertainment.
>Recently, I have played with the geometry of helices, as in helical
>railings for circular staircases.  The results were interesting.  The
>thesis I was examining was the feasibility of constructing these
>railings from four FLAT curves, each representing 1/4 rotation.  I think
>the answer is yes, but I haven't tested it yet.  The question I
>addressed was, what would be the radius of such a curved railing.  That,
>I got an answer for.
>
>Is this subject of any interest or use to anyone on this list?
>
>Bruce
>NJ
>