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December 2017 Issue, Volume 85, No. 12
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The stability of elastic towers is studied through simple hands-on experiments. Using gelatin-based stackable bricks, one can investigate the maximum height a simple structure can reach before collapsing. We show through experiments and by using the classical linear elastic theory that the main limitation to the height of such towers is the buckling of the elastic structures under their own weight. Moreover, the design and architecture of the towers can be optimized to greatly improve their resistance to self-buckling. To this aim, the maximum height of hollow and tapered towers is investigated. The experimental and theoretical developments presented in this paper can help students grasp the fundamental concepts in elasticity and mechanical stability.
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Editorial
by Richard H. Price. DOI: 10.1119/1.5009924
Awards
by Janelle M. Bailey. DOI: 10.1119/1.5012738
Papers
by Owen Paetkau, Zachary Parsons, and Mark Paetkau. DOI: 10.1119/1.5008267
by Keith Zengel. DOI: 10.1119/1.5002686
by Nicolas Taberlet, J茅r茅my Ferrand, 脡lise Camus, L茅a Lachaud, and Nicolas Plihon. DOI: 10.1119/1.5009667
by Heinz Blatter, and Thomas Greber. DOI: 10.1119/1.5009919
by Michael Nauenberg. DOI: 10.1119/1.5009672
by Alejandro Romanelli. DOI: 10.1119/1.5007063
by Kyle M. Whitcomb, and David C. Latimer. DOI: 10.1119/1.5003377
PHYSICS EDUCATION RESEARCH
by Pieter Coppens, Johan Van den Bossche, and Mieke De Cock. DOI: 10.1119/1.5003805
Apparatus and Demonstration Notes
by S. N. Axani, J. M. Conrad, and C. Kirby. DOI: 10.1119/1.5003806
Back Of The Envelope
by Sanjoy Mahajan. DOI: 10.1119/1.5009646
BOOK REVIEWS
by Danielson Dennis. DOI: 10.1119/1.5002680
BOOKS RECEIVED
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General Information, Resources for Authors, Reviewers, and Readers
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