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Parabola

Architectural structures around the world utilize the parabolic shape for its symmetry and efficiency, particularly in giant gates and bridges. This design minimizes load on diagonal truss elements, reducing weight and wind exposure, while also allowing for longer spans without intermediate supports. Additionally, the parabolic shape efficiently reflects light, enabling illumination over great distances.

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14 views3 pages

Parabola

Architectural structures around the world utilize the parabolic shape for its symmetry and efficiency, particularly in giant gates and bridges. This design minimizes load on diagonal truss elements, reducing weight and wind exposure, while also allowing for longer spans without intermediate supports. Additionally, the parabolic shape efficiently reflects light, enabling illumination over great distances.

Uploaded by

junior.galatta.rs
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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 Architectures across the world are constructed with

different styles and shapes. However, numerous


monuments and structures use the concept of parabola
to make giant gates. The entry gates or consider the
bottom part of the Eiffel tower; all are based on the
mathematical concept of the parabola. These structures
are symmetric about their axis and also equidistant from
a fixed point in the middle. "Eiffel discovered this form
of construction produces no load in the diagonal
truss elements commonly used to counteract the
bending moment, or torque, of the wind, and
hence those truss members could be eliminated,"
Weidman said. "This allows for a reduction of the
tower weight and reduces the surface area
exposed to the wind."

The parabolic shape is used for bridges because
the parabola can transfer the bridge loads over the
longest distances before having to use
intermediate supports. Intermediate supports are
expensive and sometimes impossible to construct.
The parabolic shape is the closest natural
geometry a cable assumes under uniformly
distributed horizontal load (not the self-weight,
that is a catenary curve). It has reduced the
structure in a way that all other stresses are
basically eliminated.


The symmetry of the parabolic shape means the
energy from the light is reflected very specifically.
The light from the point of focus comes out parallel
to the axis of symmetry and is therefore a very
efficient way of reflecting light. Because it is so
efficient, the para allows for light to be cast over
great distances.

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