Architecture
Buildings, and the forces they resist.
Architecture
Why do skyscrapers sway in the wind?
Because building one stiff enough not to sway would be absurdly expensive and no safer — swaying is how a tall building sheds wind energy instead of resisting all of it.
6 min readintermediate
Architecture
Why are arches so strong?
An arch turns a downward load into a sideways squeeze, and stone is enormously strong in squeeze and almost useless in pull.
6 min readintermediate