I'm still amazed at how so many people refuse to accept the results of many text books and studies on mechanical forces as taught in the physics and strength and materials books. Having spent years in the actual measurements and instrumentation field on real aircraft and missiles I have a hard time accepting the miss understanding of so many people on how and why cantilever beams are constructed for maximum strength with minimum weight. Do not take my word for it, check out a few physics books and strength of materials books and see what the engineering world uses. I wish I had a dollar for every strain gauge I've mounted and measurements I have made on just such applications.