Testing out anti-wiggle measures

[WuphonsReach]

I have a few theories about how to reduce wiggle in large structures.

First up is the test article. This is simple (9) of the Rockomax Jumbo 64 tanks in a T-shape using the radial BZ-52 125cm plates. The sagging is very obvious. The wobble takes a bit to go away when you move to the launchpad.

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Same test, but with the BZ-52 125cm radial plates welded to the center Jumbo-64 tank using UbioZur Welding Continued. Not a lot of change.

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Slight variation on the test, this time Rockomax 125cm to 250cm adapter plates have been welded to the central Jumbo-64 tank. This results in a very strong bond because the Jumbo-64 wing tanks are connecting to a 250cm node (the Rockomax adapter plate) instead of a 125cm node (BZ-52). There is some sag/wobble, but it is minimal even with four tanks on each side.

So there is a pretty big gain from using UbioZur Welding Continued to weld the radial BZ-52 units to the center tank and also weld the Rockomax Brand Adapter 02 to the unit.

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Now for the Clamp-o-tron regular docking port. This test has (4) Jumbo-64 on each wing of the T, the regular docking ports are mounted on the previous test article with the central spine having Jumbo-64 -> BZ-52 -> Rockomax Brand Adapter 02 plate all welded together. The docking ports are not welded to anything.

Test ended in failure as expected.

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What if we weld a Clamp-o-tron to the Rockomax Brand Adapter 02 plate? The results are not much better, the connection between the two docking ports is still the weak point.

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UbioZur Welding helps, but the link between the docking ports is still the weakest link. Welding the 125-250cm adapter plate to the docking port really helps out though.

The real trick is to combine Kerbal Joint Reinforcement (KJR) with UbioZur Welding so that you have 250cm radial mounting points instead of just 125cm mounting points.

[SPA]

or you could just use struts ;-;