The original question asked by the OP was, When materials are subjected to outside force, they first will deform elastically, that is they will flex or
bend and when the force is removed, they
return to the original shape. The
point where the material begins to
bend is called the "flex
point".
When a greater force is applied, a material will begin to deform plastically, that is, the material deforms beyond the
point where it can completely recover and at least some of the deformation is permanent and non reversible (except by exerting a force equal to the original force and in the opposite direction). Note that when a material has passed the yield
point it is also permanently weakened. Straightening out a bent pipe may
return it to the original shape and look, but it will not
return it to the original strength
rating. A good example of this is bending a
wire back and forth until it breaks. -
Applying this to the JRC Allowable
Batten Loads table we see that for a 1 1/2" pipe supported at 8', there are two load ratings for evenly distributed loads. One is 49# at 1/3 yield and the other (coincidence) is also 49# for 1/360 deflection. What this means is that when the pipe is loaded at 49 lbs/ft, it will
bend slightly. 1/360 x 96". This = .266" or about 1/4" that the pipe will deflect under that load. When the load is removed, the pipe will straighten back out. The other figure is 1/3 yield, also at 49#. That means that at 3 times that load, 147 lbs/ft, the pipe will reach it's yield
point and permanently
bend.
NOW! Just because the pipe will hold a specific load, does
NOT mean the
system can hold that same load.
System loading is determined by a number of factors,
wire rope size and number,
trim chain size and type,
shackle size,
loft block rating,
counterweight arbor capacity, et. al. You mention that your
electric is a double
batten. Load capacity is also affected by the method of installing the double
batten. Are the pipes joined by welded plates or only by the
raceway double pipe hanging brackets? As you can see, we can tell you what A pipe will support, but not what your
system will support, unless we come to your
theatre and perform a complete rigging inspection.
If your
system was recently installed by professional company, there should be a placard or sign posted on a wall nearby stating the load capacities of the
line sets, if not, ask them for one. It should be there and it should be prominently displayed.