Open AccessThe Igloo and the Natural Bridge as Ultimate Structures
Author(s) -
Richard L. Handy
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
arctic
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1923-1245
pISSN - 0004-0843
DOI - 10.14430/arctic2926
Subject(s) - geology , catenary , snow , natural (archaeology) , bridge (graph theory) , structural engineering , engineering , paleontology , geomorphology , biology , anatomy
The Eskimo snow igloo is not a hemisphere as frequently depicted, but a catenoid of revolution with an optimum height-to-diameter ratio. This shape eliminates ring tension and shell moments and therefore prevents failure by caving or bulging. Rainbow Natural Bridge, Utah, is a catenary, probably because of weathering along the trajectory of maximum compressive stress.
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