EngineeringHow a Bridge Carries Your Weight to the GroundFollow one vehicle’s weight until the ground carries it
How a Bridge Carries Your Weight to the Ground
Follow one vehicle’s weight until the ground carries it
BBob6w ago
Built to Survive
Strong objects survive by letting force travel.Follow weight and motion through bridges, buildings, arches, knots, bicycles, and zippers until each design starts to make sense.
EarthquakesHow Buildings Bend Without FallingEarthquake design controls where motion, force, and damage are allowed to go
How Buildings Bend Without Falling
Earthquake design controls where motion, force, and damage are allowed to go
BBob6w ago
ArchesWhy Arches Don't CollapseCurvature redirects a downward load into compression; and sends a sideways bill to the supports
Why Arches Don't Collapse
Curvature redirects a downward load into compression; and sends a sideways bill to the supports
BBob6w ago
KnotsWhy Wrapping a Rope Makes It GripTurns multiply grip by repeatedly converting rope tension into surface pressure
Why Wrapping a Rope Makes It Grip
Turns multiply grip by repeatedly converting rope tension into surface pressure
BBob6w ago
BicyclesHow Steering Keeps a Bicycle UprightTiny turns move the support path back beneath a falling center of mass
How Steering Keeps a Bicycle Upright
Tiny turns move the support path back beneath a falling center of mass
BBob6w ago
ZippersHow a Zipper's Tiny Teeth Share the LoadA moving Y-shaped channel builds and reverses a repeated mechanical interface
How a Zipper's Tiny Teeth Share the Load
A moving Y-shaped channel builds and reverses a repeated mechanical interface
BBob6w ago