Re: Questions on my theoretical "anti-cable"

In message <1183086001.448369.86270@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, mutedHyperbole <zutalors212@xxxxxxxxx> writes
A perfect cable in physics can perfectly transmit a tensile force but
not a compressive force.

That's what exam questions generally refer to as a "light inextensible string".

Is there such a thing as an "anti-cable"
which can only transmit a compressive force but not a tensile force?

A column of "light incompressible bricks". Ask any architect.

What would some of its properties be?

What you just said. You might also inquire about how they handle shear forces.

You're not the first to notice the duality between strings/chains and columns -- Robert Hooke put it to good use in designing the dome of St Paul's Cathedral:

http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0035-9149(199801)52:1%3C39:HCC%3E2.0.CO;
2-8

--
Richard Herring
.

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