Why is triangle the strongest shape?

Answer 1

It depends on the circumstances. A sphere is the strongest shape for resisting uniform compression from all angles, either when their is a high pressure on the outside or inside (hence the use of dome shaped space suit helmets or dome shaped submarine windows). A triangle is the most rigid shape however, so if you want to cantilever an object, a series of tessellating triangles would provide the strongest structure (hence the widespread use of octet-trusses - the strongest known structure for cantilever stresses). A hexagon is the strongest shape when packed together in a tessellation, but only for compressive forces (hence the ubiquitous hexagonal forms in nature such as the bees honeycombs). The three dimensional equivalent of hexagonal grid is a lorimerlite structure, which is the strongest truss for resisting compressive forces.

Answer 2

The triangle is a very strong shape because of the way it distributes forces around itself. When you rest a weight on an upright triangle, the two slanted edges experience compression (they are being squeezed) while the bottom edge experiences tension (it is being stretched). This balance of compression and tension makes it a very stable shape.

For a simple and interactive explanation of the science behind building shapes, check this site out: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/lab/shapes.html

Answer 3

We generally consider the triangle as the geometric shape with the greatest strength. A classic example is a bicycle frame. The "basic" triangle in the frame is composed of the top tube, the seat tube and the down tube.

Answer 4

Triangles are the strongest shape because their three sides and three angles distribute weight and force evenly, reducing stress on any one side. This geometric structure provides stability and support in architectural and engineering designs, making triangles essential for withstanding pressure and maintaining structural integrity.

Answer 5

The triangle is the strongest shape because it has fixed angles that don't move no matter how hard one tries to. Furthermore, triangles don't twist or lose its shape very easily. If you think of a square on a grid, you can easily move its angle's so it can be a parallelogram or rectangle. A square can transform into many shapes, however, triangles can not. Inconclusion, triangles are strong as it doesn't change its shape.