ABSTRACT
Related to the design of material efficient structures in terms of self-weight minimization and adequate stiffness and strength are the philosophical manuscripts “Two New Sciences” of Galileo, where the meaning of mechanics was addressed to and especially the way that the proportions of a structure should change while this would be increased in scale, Galilei (1914). Having compared his philosophical thought with the skeleton of biological organisms, he noted that the amount and function of a living organism do not relate to its skeleton. He related the overall size of animals to the stiffness and strength of the bones, as well as the self-weight. “From what has already been demonstrated, you can plainly see the impossibility of increasing the size of structures to vast dimensions either in art or in nature; …so also it would be impossible to built up the bony structures of men, horses, or other animals so as to hold together and perform their normal functions, if these animals were to be increased enormously in height; for this increase in height can be accomplished only by employing a material, which is harder and stronger than usual, or by enlarging the size of the bones, thus changing their shape. …Another principle, …, which enables animals to vast size to support themselves and to move about as well as smaller animals do, …, may be secured either by increasing the strength of the bones and other parts intended to carry not only their weight but also the superincumbent load; or, keeping the proportions of the bony structure constant, the skeleton will hold together in the same manner or even more easily, provided one diminishes, in the proper proportion the weight of the bony material, of the flesh and of anything else which the skeleton has to carry.” The typological developement of structures with the mechanical properties of high strength construction materials verify Galileos finding.
