The Igloo and the Natural Bridge as Ultimate Structures

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 bec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:ARCTIC
Main Author: Handy, Richard L.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: The Arctic Institute of North America 1973
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/arctic/article/view/65978
Description
Summary: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.