¿Existen problemas estructurales irresolubles? Una cuestión abierta

Abstract

Galileo is the first Western author who pointed out the impossibility of that a similar figure grows indefinitely, by defining the concept of an insuperable size for any structure subject to the mechanical action of self-weight. If such insuperable size exists for a structural problem, such a problem would be unsolvable for greater sizes. The matter has not been answered until date, despite multiple researches along two conflicting lines: firstly, the determination of forms of constant stress whit no limit in size, and secondly, the determination of insuperable sizes for well defined structural problems. Here two related hypotheses are presented which could guide the search for a definitive answer.