Engineering360: "Sea Sponge Spikes Could Lead to Stronger Columns"

The idea that this shape might inform better bicycle spokes is kind of silly.

Bicycle spokes are in tension and the failure mode is not buckling. Some bicycle spokes are offered butted with the ends slightly greater in diameter to provide additional strength at the bend or at the threads.

The tension will be pretty much the same down the length of the spoke. Any additional material not being used to offset some potential weakness (like threads or bend) will not increase the tensile strength above the thinnest section.

I have two such shaped composite (8 vertical, 16 horizontal sawn lumber and plywood components per column) 6-meter tall columns supporting the outboard perimeter of a 70 square meter front porch roof on my 35 year old home.

If I understand this correctly, these thin, double- tapered columns inserted perpendicular to a structural membrane sub later will perform better than non- tapered cylindrical rods.

My thinking is that the tapered spikes allow interlock when in compression.

Spikes with blunt ends will not

Cannot see practical application in structural colomns

Definitely not in tension