[VAC] Re: Balsa core flooring

["Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxx>]

Actually the foam and honeycomb assemblies will probably float better
being a bit lighter for the volume than balsa wood.

The question is: Will the added insulation and lightness pay for the
extra effort required to fabricate the composite floor, or is a slab of
plywood so much more cost effective that the weight can be secondary?

1/2" plywood runs about 48 pounds per sheet. So an entire Caravel floor
would be maybe 200 pounds. Is saving 200 pounds detectable in the grand
scheme of Airstream life? And no lightweight floor would save all of
that 200 pounds. In an aircraft or space craft that saving would be
significant, is it in an Airstream? Does that saving allow enough extra
miles per gallon to pay the cost of the exotic materials in 5 years? 10
years? Does that weight saving allow a marginal tow vehicle to pull the
trailer up a steeper mountain? Is the radiant heated floor more
comfortable in the cooler weather? Can it be heated when in the
boondocks? Is the insulated floor that is a part of the radiant heating
nearly as effective at supplying a warm floor as doing the space heating
through the floor? Is there a downside to radiant floor heat? There used
to be a downside with 180°F radiant heating, dried and cracked feet. 110
or 120°F heat seems to solve that problem. Just a few pertinent
questions to consider while wondering if the materials can be acquired.

Gerald J.