[achow]

> If you shrank a 777 to the size of a soda can, its skin would be about four times thinner than the average can's.

My take.. The difference between inside and outside of soda can is approx 175 (kPa). The difference between inside and outside of aircraft cabin at the cruising altitude is 56.6 (kPa). So Soda can bears differential of approx 3 times than the pressure differential that aircraft cabin structure supports, with material 4 times thinner.

Aircraft is 12 times more safer than a soda can (!)

Interesting.. aircraft safety engineers at work.

Reference:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabin_pressurization

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/air-altitude-pressure-d_46...

[gusmd]

You are neglecting the fact that a soda can is pressurized once, depressurized when opened for consumption, and then wasted.

An aircraft fuselage needs to withstand THOUSANDS of cycles of pressurization / depressurization during its service life, which is usually much more critical then the static pressure load, due to metal fatigue. This is why aircraft service life is given in flights (which corresponds to one pressurization cycle) and not in flight hours or miles or whatever. This is also why aircraft used on longer routes tend to last for more years (longer flights = fewer pressurization cycles).

edit: If anyone wants a reference, here goes one http://www.airspacemag.com/need-to-know/what-determines-an-a...

edit2: Additionally, consider checking my response to another comment. The diameter of the fuselage is so much bigger than the soda can that the actual stress on the walls are roughly only 1.5x bigger on the soda cans.

[marcosdumay]

Well, except that aircraft pressure is applied outside-in while soda can pressure is inside-out. Put some outside-in pressure on a can, and see how well it handles it.

Both are engineered in a way to make pressure not a problem. The can is subject to stress if you refill it, the airplane is a bit overengineered so it's not subject to stress. Increasing the width of any wouldn't lead to an increase on their safety.

[allannienhuis]

Sorry I'm confused by your statement. The air pressure inside an aircraft during flight is much higher than the air pressure outside. So the pressure is also inside -> out, same as a soda can.

[Dylan16807]

I think you got something backwards there. The plane is thinner when you make them the same size.