Pringles Chips

What is special about the shape?

This circle has a 7 cm diameter. This shape, the hyperbolic paraboloid, handles tension and compression. Also, this shape doesn't need any outside forces to assist in creating the circular shape.

How well does this shape handle tension and forces?

The saddle shape is also known as the hyperbolic paraboloid. One reason architects like this shape is because it can be built with straight beams. This shape handles both tension and compression which makes it specials.

Where do we see the "saddle" shape in buildings?

The saddle shape makes up the base of the pringle structure. In buildings, the saddle shape is often time used as the roof. For example, the London Velodrome has this shape as the roof.

How does the Pringles Challenge structure even stay up?

The Pringles Challenge structure is able to stay because the center of mass of one Pringle does not go past the center of mass of the chip before. This causes the center of mass to shift allowing the next pringle to stick out farther than the pringle before.

Works Consulted:

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/maths-linear-quadratic-relations/0/steps/12131

http://www.arch.ttu.edu/courses/2008/fall/3501perl/montfort/project1/hyperbolic_paraboloid.html