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The arch redistributes forces to maintain equilibrium

One early development in architecture that uses the principle of distribution of force is the archA curved structure that spans an opening and supports a weight above the opening.. The arch directs the downward force of the supported weight around the arch and into the ground. In a

stone arch, for example, each stone has slightly tapered sides. The weight on the top stone causes it to push out and down on the next stone, and so on around the curve of the arch until it reaches the ground. An arch can support greater weight than a straight beamA straight, horizontal structure that spans an opening and supports a weight above the opening. across an opening, even when the beam and arch are built of the same...

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1. Introduction
2. Different forces can act upon one object
3. The arch redistributes forces to maintain equilibrium
4. Project 1 - Arches and Beams: Which is strongest?
5. Project 2 - Beams and Rigidity: How does the vertical height of a beam affect its rigidity?
6. Design Your Own Experiment