[AZ-Observing] Re: telescope piers


Pual,

The problem is that concrete transmits vibration too well being a
compressive material.  You need a vibrationally dead material.  I would
use a dry, clean sand.  Buy a bag or two of "playsand" at your local
hardware store and fill the pier with it.  That should damp out
vibrations pretty well.

Another consideration is that there is no turning back from concrete, at
least sand can be removed if you find it doesn't work to your
satisfaction, and you can try something else.

A cast concrete pier is much cheaper that a steel pipe, you can make it
bigger to deal with vibrations.  Check out some instructions for a
concrete pier at...

http://www.tucsonastronomy.org/pier.htm

Hope this helps!

Andrew


Chuck wrote:
> 
> In my opinion one should fill the pipe with concrete.  This makes for a
> sturdier  base and should alleviate any vibrations since the pipe is also
> isolated from the pad.
> 
> Chuck
> Earth/Space Scientific Research Institute, Inc.
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Paul Schmidtke" <PAUL.SCHMIDTKE@xxxxxxx>
> To: <AZ-OBSERVING@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Friday, October 11, 2002 11:18 AM
> Subject: [AZ-Observing] telescope piers
> 
> > Hi Everyone!
> >
> > As part an expanded astronomy lab space at the ASU West campus, we will be
> > installing some permanent telescope piers to use with our C-8's.  I seem
> to
> > recall that this space had a discussion some time ago on the practical
> aspects
> > of building a good pier.  Can anyone summarize the concensus of that
> exchange?
> >
> > We will have 6-inch pipe, isolated from from a concrete pad.  My main
> concern
> > was whether the pipe should be left hollow, filled with concrete, etc.?
> >
> > Thanks in advance for your comments.  We only get to do this once!
> >
> > -- Paul Schmidtke
> >    ASU West
> > --
> > See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please
> > send personal replies to the author, not the list.
> >
> 
> --
> See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please
> send personal replies to the author, not the list.

-- 

Andrew Cooper
Tucson, AZ
mailto:acooper@xxxxxxxxx
http://whitethorn.house.home.att.net
--
See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please 
send personal replies to the author, not the list.

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