The catenary arch that we built
The red arch was built on a hinged building surface. Once the blocks were correctly positioned over an outline of the arch, we lifted the wooden platform to bring the blocks to a vertical position. Then we lowered the backboard, leaving the arch free-standing. The shape the arch takes is called a catenary. The catenary is the curve that an idealized hanging cable or chain with very short links assumes under its own weight when supported only at its ends.
Exploratorium, San Francisco, California, USA
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