Originally Posted by
abelenky
That means it could fly straight-n-level, un-accelerated flight at 2400lbs. x 3G = 7200lbs. and STILL have a safety factor of 150%.
WHOA: 7200lbs!
Not really. You exceed that 3.8, and all bets are off. It may not have failed at that instance, but it could fail at any time thereafter. The 150% is a one-time thing, exceed that and it fails on the spot. You exceed 3.8 and you've likely damaged it. It's my understanding that 3.8 is the fatigue limit, where it can be cycled to with virtually no impact on the strength and structure (but in the real world this isn't really the case, as pointed out above). If you've gone past it, you've drastically changed the properties of the material and it's ability to stand up to tension or compression.
That conversation should never have gotten that far. Would you go 180mph on tires only rated for 160. It only seems like a little bit more, but can you fathom the effects of a blow-out at that speed? How many people really comprehend how the tire is constantly trying to tear itself apart at those speeds.