One for the structural engineers out there...
I am building a structure to support my latest GBC module. I have vertical supports, and a horizontal cross-member. I am using a 12-long brick to form a 6-8-10 triangle to maintain the right angle between the support and the cross-member (thank you Pythagoras!). But which is the best way to do it?
In the red version (on the left), the 6 side is horizontal, and the 8 side is vertical. In the blue version, it's the other way around. Which one should I use? Or are they equivalent?
Under which circumstances should I use one over the other?
In this case, the brace will be under compression (holdling something up). Would the answer be any different if it was under tension (holding something down)?
Thanks
Owen.
P.S. The forces involved are not great, so I'm certain that either one would suffice. I'm just curious about whether one is better than the other. I'd settle for which one is more asthetically pleasing.