Find the weight in pounds, per yard; two-thirds of which will give the safe load, in tons.

A round iron rod of average quality of iron, one inch in diameter, will be torn asunder by 16 tons; it will be perceptibly damaged by half this strain, or 8 tons; its safe load will be one-third, or 5·33 tons.

TIMBER.

To find the area, or superficial content of a plank.

Multiply the length by the mean breadth.[47]

Example.—Required the content of a board whose length is 11 feet 2 inches, and breadth 1 foot 10 inches

ft. in. ft. in.ft. in.
11 2 × 1 10=20 5. Content required.

To find the solid content of squared, or four-sided timber.

Multiply the mean breadth by the mean thickness, and the product by the length, for the content, nearly.