Revolutionary Formula for Assessing Thin Conical Structures' Strength

Researchers from the University of Cambridge and the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a new numerical formula to calculate the strength of thin conical structures. The study found that thin cones with free boundaries are surprisingly weak, and their load-bearing capacity greatly depends on their thickness. The researchers used experimental and numerical techniques to determine the critical buckling load of the cones and devised a mathematical theory to describe the edge of a cone. The formula could have applications in optimizing soft shape-morphing cones for lifting heavy weights and in the development of new soft-robotic devices.