What happens if frames are mounted vertically?

[user 6228]

No its the angle of the cell from the midrib that is important and is generally about eight degrees pointing upwards. The cells are not round but are hexagonal all the way down its just the thickening of the top that gives a round central look.

Take a look at these two adjacent combs both from the same TBH I see the same thing many times in my framed foundationless frames.

whats your source for the angle of 8 degrees... info seems to be a little scarce

in return here is something interesting on combs

Zhang, K., Duan, H., Karihaloo, B. L., & Wang, J. (2010). Hierarchical, multilayered cell walls reinforced by recycled silk cocoons enhance the structural integrity of honeybee combs. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 107(21), 9502–6. http://doi.org/10.1073 /pnas.0912066107


Vandenberg, J. D., Massie, D. R., Shimanuki, H., Peterson, J. R., & Poskevich, D. M. (1985). Survival, Behavior and Comb Construction By Honey Bees, Apis Mellifera, in Zero Gravity Aboard Nasa Shuttle Mission Sts-13. Apidologie, 16(4), 369–384. http://doi.org/10.1051/apido:19850402

Pratt, S. C. (2000). Gravity-independent orientation of honeycomb cells. Die Naturwissenschaften, 87(1), 33–5. http://doi.org/10.1007/s001140050005

 

[Tom Bick]

Generally eight degrees Derek and from my own observations. Sometimes the angle is closer to 15 degrees and often on comb built in a rush to hold nectar during flows.

I have seen so much natural comb in my hives over the years nothing surprises me. In most ways they are very consistent but also there is variation.

 

[Goran]

Here some which work with m. nucs of half frame lang, when expand to 2 boxes of mnucs, place 90 degrees normal lang size frame through both boxes ( either stores or brood), not a problem. In winter when they overwinter on 2 mnuc boxes as usual always place in it full ordinary lang frame of stores ( as they say in center, for me is more logical at last or second place atmost).
I don't believe it is problem for bees to rotate frames with brood/stores..