"Jim Wilkins" writes:

"Steve W." wrote in message ...

Jim Wilkins wrote:
"Richard Smith" wrote in message
...

Can you sketch?

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If you send me an email I'll attach a photo of the gantry and
sawmill. it's on Google Photos but I don't know how to share it.


Right click on photo, select "Copy link address"
Paste link in new message.
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https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1Q...KNJpqIL_Xendex

Jim - get an "Error 404" on trying to follow that URL.
Tried immediately to get there and found that problem.
Sorry didn't get back to you immediately.
If U-channels are used symmetrically - back to back or facing - so
that they can't twist (rotate) under loading - that a simple analysis
just using 2nd moment of area, beam metal yield strength and beam
length/support is useful.
That also applies to "L" sections, by the way - facing or
back-to-back. In a "desperate" situation I worked out the strengths
according to Euler-Bernoulli beam and it seemed very right. As the
welder, I made sure the secondary steelwork was less strong (would
warn by taking permanent bend) and less stiff than the "primary"
steelwork - so you sensed the limit - and it worked so well.

If you still would like some additional input / collaboration on this,
we can try again with pix and dimensions.

I've done my best with "ASCII art" to sketch a buttressed bolted
connection.
That only works if the beam is cantilever, with the top in tension and
the bottom in compression.
The wheels of the carriage have clearance under the buttress
arrangement.


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Which I think will be stiff and strong.
You could trap a "hanger plate" protruding out of the top as the
means to suspend the transporter beam.

I hope I have
* understood the situation
* the suggestion is helpful

Best wishes,
Rich Smith