As an aside, I realize this is a bit out there, but I was thinking of ways to get force vectors all the way down the edge evenly. Simpler ways exist in this same vein (strapping the seams) such as using webbing and cam buckles, and so on, but the force wouldn't spread out over the whole seam. Stitching up the seam with some sort of cordage so you could get diagonals seemed the simplest way to accomplish this.
In fact, you could likely do it with a much simpler setup.. Top and bottom using actual cleats, and the interim attachment points only passing them once, and only diagonally like shoe laces, using a "cleat" similar to the ones used for workboots for the upper laces. It was me lacing up my workboots that gave me the idea in the first place :) This seems a quick way to accomplish the notion, and quick to deploy and tear down. Im also toying with ideas for full width, weatherproof plastic (thick, flexible sheeting) or metal (aluminium roof flashing) external seams, thinking in terms of paper bindery.. Lots of labor, but the first idea is to use 2 thin metal (or plastic) slats like a sandwich backed with cork, rubber (like a metal ruler sometimes has) or other sticky weather proof stuff, and perforated material that is situated onto pins or bolts inside the sandwich and then secured. You'd still have to tape at apexes, but it wouldn't have to be structural. You'd need to use some sort of material to prevent drips through the holes, like a rubber washer, on top. Or you could use cheap tape on the seam. The bottom slat might not need to exist.. it could be a strip of weatherproofing material. This way, you would not need to use that many fasteners since the force is being spread out over the slats to pinch the material down. Some experimentation would be required, and perhaps a bit of math. to determine the best spacing for the fasteners. I might still use the cordage idea for the inner connections, along with making the whole thing foldable so not many of the internal connections needed lacing. The slat material could be cheap pre-fab perforated metal strips that have been taped up with reflective tape, backed with weather proofing and holes made through the tape for the fasteners. A more elegant solution would be to use a continuous track system, like a sail goes up a mast. Metal or rigid plastic tubing of small diameter with a slot cut the whole length on one side, non stretch plastic sheeting (or even weatherproofed cloth) with two wooden dowels running the whole length on its edge, and slightly smaller than the gap to provide tension. The tubing would need to be secured very rigidly, but assembly would be very quick if you left the tubing in place between uses. As an additional enhancement, if the edges were bevelled you might be able to put thin butyl rubber on them, or perhaps even a strip of cloth secured and painted with rubber cement and thus only have to tape in a small cap at each apex when you assembled. I'd be really interested to hear from the group, since I don't yet have field experience! Thanks! -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "hexayurt" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/hexayurt?hl=en.
