I'm been thinking of how to make a tall lunar tower- in Sci-F mode rather than realistic near term ideas. The height of tower would be dependent on the compressive strength of material and design. Assuming a steel compressive strength of 150,000 psi, and using a simple shape such a rod, I figured the maximun height on the Moon would be 50 miles- irregardless of it's diameter. And if you use a simple cone shape instead of a rod or cylindar shape, the max height is 3 times this height- one could also stack blocks into a pyrimid shape and get higher heights. To get higher than 150 miles, the only way I know of is stacking progressively smaller cones or using lighter material (such as titanium alloys at the top). With steel with compressive strength 150,000 psi, Ive got a stacked cone which 250 miles- and it certainly could be made taller, but I'm trying to fiqure how to do this with the least amount material. For instance this one starts with a base with diameter of 48" goes up 50 miles and tapers to 24", then next section starts at 24 goes up 50 miles and tapers to 12, etc. I put it on graph paper with hortizonal being each graph sq = one inch and vertical being each graph sq equal to a mile- without different values it's not possible to put it meaningfully on paper.
I wonder if there is a way to make it look smoother- using some kind of curve?
Does any one know of easier way of doing this and using the least material?
Or any other input?