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When people build things, they use many different shapes, because every shape has special characteristics that are best suited for a particular purpose. For example, a wheel on a car, and a…

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One shape is a favorite among architects, the triangle. The triangle is the strongest shape, capable of holding its shape, having a strong base, and providing immense support. Some of the world's most famous architectural marvels like the Eiffel Tower, Great Pyramids of Giza, and the Louvre Pyramid use the support of triangles to make beautiful, durable structures. Two of the most used triangles in architecture are the 30⁰-60⁰-90⁰ triangle, and the 45⁰-45⁰-90⁰ triangle.

There are a few types of triangle: the equilateral triangle which has 3 sides of equal length, an isosceles triangle with two equal sides, and a scalene triangle which has no sides of equal length. Aside from all the differences in triangles, they have some similarities, they all have three sides and are extremely stable. Comparing how other shapes stand up to pressure proves the triangles resilience. If pressure is applied to one side of a square, it will eventually shift into a rhombus. No matter the amount of pressure applied to a triangle, it will absorb the pressure and remain rigid. A polygon is a shape made from straight lines, and the triangle is the only polygon that will not shift under pressure.

Due to triangles ability to withstand tremendous pressure, this shape is often found in architecture to provide stability. Geometry and architecture are linked fundamentally, and by understanding the form of the triangle, architects provide the support they need to a developing structure. A-frame homes, truss bridges, and geodesic domes rely on triangles to create a durable structure.

The smallest polygon is the strongest polygon, and the number of structures relying on the strength of the triangle prove that. As an amateur architect, you can create vast structures using triangles. Triangular support beams can be found in large sporting arenas, bridges, and your home's foundation! Triangles are one amazing shape!

You can test the strength of a triangle today by building your own truss bridge! https://sciencemadefun.net/downloads/Truss%20Bridge_EOTD_May%205th.pdf

Catogories: Uncategorized

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One shape is a favorite among architects, the triangle. The triangle is the strongest shape, capable of holding its shape, having a strong base, and providing immense support. Some of the world's most famous architectural marvels like the Eiffel Tower, Great Pyramids of Giza, and the Louvre Pyramid use the support of triangles to make beautiful, durable structures.

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Ever built a gingerbread house only to watch it collapse right in front of your eyes? I hate to admit it, but I have. Building a beautiful-and sturdy-gingerbread house can sometimes be a little daunting (and frustrating). But with these ingenious hacks, you'll become a master builder in no time.

The Perfect Homemade Gingerbread

Making homemade gingerbread isn't nearly as nerve-wracking as it sounds. It's actually pretty simple to make. Here's one of my favorite recipes:

5 1/2 cups flour

1 tbsp ginger

1 tsp baking soda

1 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

1 1/4 cups dark molasses

2 eggs

Mix the dry ingredients first. Add to the wet ingredients, then bake at 350 for 15 minutes... or until they're crispy. That's the key to a perfect gingerbread house. A crispy, you'd-probably-chip-your-tooth-if-you-tried-to-eat-it gingerbread. And don't forget to let it cool completely before building. Otherwise your gingerbread house might just crumble and turn into ruins. Which could be pretty cool too, if that's what you're going for.

Use Your Imagination

Who says a gingerbread house has to be homemade? If you're pressed for time or just want to do something outside the box, try any one of these:

If you don't have much time, a gingerbread house kit is your best friend. It's always been one of mine.

Graham Crackers. They tend to not be quite as sturdy as gingerbread, so make sure you secure the walls well (or put something inside to support the walls)

Rice Krispies. Not even kidding. Check out this Rice Krispies house from Rockin Mama. This way you don't have to worry about walls staying up. #genius

Be creative. There's no one right way to make a gingerbread house. Use whatever you want to build it...especially if you're planning on eating it after!

Create a Strong Glue

If you are using a kit, they'll come with icing that you can use. Otherwise, here's a pretty good recipe you can make yourself. Or, if you don't mind your gingerbread house being inedible, I hear a glue gun works wonders...

Rome Wasn't Built in A Day

But your gingerbread house can be... you just have to give it a little time. After frosting the walls of your gingerbread house and securing them to your base, wait at least one hour for them to dry. Leave two hours for the roof. I know, it's a lot of time. But a little online shopping on Jane.com and a Netflix show later, you'll be ready to start again.

Make it Indestructible

Do you find that even when you use lots of frosting and leave your gingerbread house to dry, it still collapses? Frosting may not be the best option. NPR went on a quest to make an indestructible gingerbread house. After talking to an engineering undergraduate at Brown University, they found out that marshmallows, gummy bears, and caramel were the most effective for creating a strong glue-just melt them down and use them to secure your house. It will be almost indestructible. Really, though. Just check out their video and post.

And if all else fails...

Keep Your Frosting Moist

Ever tried to decorate your gingerbread house and had your frosting harden up in the bowl? I have. It's so frustrating, right? Luckily, the solution is simple. Cover the bowl with a damp paper towel, and the frosting will stay moist. Definitely one of my favorite hacks!

Spread Your Frosting

For a smooth roof or yard, thin out some of your frosting in a separate bowl by adding more water. Apply with a spatula. Or, you can just apply frosting directly to your candy. And then promptly lick your fingers clean. YUM.

Yummy Supplies

If you decide to buy a kit, don't limit yourself to just the candy in the kit. Gather old Halloween candy, cereal, pretzels, and those M&Ms you've had sitting in a bowl for months. Here are some ways to decorate your house:

Roof: wafers, bubble gum, sour belt candy, M&Ms, Snickers/Milky way bar (chimney), jelly beans, Smarties

Window Panes and Exterior: square pretzels, candy canes, Skittles, mints

Walkway: gum, mints, graham crackers, gumdrops

Yard: sugar ice cream cone (for tree), licorice or candy canes (for fence), Pirouette cookies (logs), powdered sugar (snow)

And presto, you're done! With careful planning and a little bit of decoration, your gingerbread house will be ready to show off to your friends and family.

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Ever built a gingerbread house only to watch it collapse right in front of your eyes? I hate to admit it, but I have. Building a beautiful-and sturdy-gingerbread house can sometimes be a little daunting (and frustrating). But with these ingenious hacks, you'll become a master builder in no time.

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Traditionally, we make Gingerbread Houses. I've done the lot of things. You know, the expensive kits, building one on a box, and then, what I've done for years, the graham cracker house.

Now, I do realize that the graham cracker houses can be quite the pain, but I have some tips for you.

First and foremost, ditch the Royal Icing. White Chocolate is where it's at.
(I use 'Almond Bark', but candy melts will work as well)

It dries MUCH quicker than Royal Icing & it is just as sturdy.

I made 2 large houses and 1 tiny house with 2 boxes of graham crackers (there are 4 in the picture below, but the skinny 2-story was from some leftovers I had in my cabinet). You may be able to get more, but some I broke, and some were broken in the package). The grahams were the el cheapos at Walmart and cost me $1.29 a box. I also used about one full package of Almond Bark (white melting chocolate), which costs around $3.50. The kits make one house and will run you at least $10.

You can do these an an assortment of sizes, but the step by step I'm showing you is what I made this year. I dug up some old photos to show you o

First, I roll out a bunch of parchment paper/wax paper/foil because once the chocolate dries you have to pry it up with a jackhammer. And that's not cool.

The big houses are 3 sheets long and 2 sheets wide. Lay them out. You'll need 4 sets of 3 (2 for the sides, 2 for the roof) and 2 of the 2 sheets for the width of the house.

Then, glue 'em together. Be generous with the chocolate. Spread it on there. No need to be neat, these will go on the inside.

Allow to dry. You can also make these on baking sheets and pop them into your freezer if you are in a real hurry.

Once they are dry, add line of chocolate to the edges of the sheets of 3. Lean these up to one of your sheets of 2. You have to use really fancy equipment here. Aka, what ever you've got. When these are just set, stand them up, add chocolate to the other ends, and carefully slide your other sheet of 2 in. Allow to fully dry.

For the roof, add chocolate to the top edges of your structure. These should easily lean in on each other without falling. Add extra chocolate to the bottom edge of the roof on the outside to secure. Allow to fully dry.

The hardest part of making the house is definitely covering the peak. What I do is hold a cracker up and score it with a knife so I know where to cut. I make mine using 2 pieces.

You can see here where the peak is put together.

This is just 'glued' on the outside. It is not flush with the rest of the roof.

After I've made the first one (and, um before I've added it to the house), I draw out a template on paper to make this step easier for the rest of the houses I'm making.

You can accent with windows and a door if you like.

Tip: do NOT try to just cut the crackers, they will very often break. Use a sawing motion to cut them.

They will still break sometimes, but not nearly as often.

I also make a couple small houses.

These are actually MUCH easier to make. Make a box out of a square (2 sections of a cracker).

Use 2 squares for the roof as well. The peak for these is super easy. It's just the square cracker turned diamond direction and cut directly in half. These I glue (chocolate) in before adding to the house.

They, unlike the big house peaks, sit inside of the roof.

Now, just glue the roof on, accent, and done!

All ready for decorations!

Just melt up more white chocolate & let them go to town!

Niecey decorating. Why do teenagers write on each other? Please tell me.

Last night the Bean was written on by his cousin and his girlfriend. He was written on today at church by a friend. He also wrote on all of them...??

Some of the candies/decorations I used were:

Bottle Caps (the candy), Smarties, Mike & Ike, Gummy Bears, Candy Canes, Snocaps, Gum Drops, Marshmallows, Twizzlers, Sixlets, and cookies. Other things I've used in the past: M&Ms, Mini Oreos, Peppermint Sticks, Candy Corn, Gumballs, & much more!

I bought cheap packages of candy (like the $1 'movie theater' type boxes), and raided my cabinets.

Use your imagination, lots of things would work!

Houses done!

Mine, Bean's, Niecey's, The Girlfriend's.

Well, almost done. The Bean and I went back today and added more to his. It's easier to decorate when not distracted by your girlfriend and cousin, and writing on each other.

This is the final, final product of his house (along with mine)

We know these aren't going to win any contests, but we enjoy making them each year!

I hope these little tips help you out. Making Gingerbread Houses is so much fun, and it really isn't that hard. Royal Icing is SO overrated. Go chocolate.

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Traditionally, we make Gingerbread Houses. I've done the lot of things. You know, the expensive kits, building one on a box, and then, what I've done for years, the graham cracker house. Now, I do realize that the graham cracker houses can be quite the pain, but I have some tips for you.

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The miracle glue that will keep your gingerbread house together

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Here's the thing about gingerbread houses. You labor over them for hours. You painstakingly decorate them with gumdrops and candy canes.

And then, someone shakes the table it's sitting on, and boom! It all comes crumbling down, leaving a huge, house-shaped hole in your heart.

Never again, we said.

This year, we were determined to build a stronger gingerbread house. One that wouldn't crumble, no matter what. One that could withstand an earthquake.

So we consulted Ben Schafer, chair of the department of civil engineering at Johns Hopkins. He recommended keeping the corners square, and making sure the roof is centered and evenly balanced.

"If you keep everything nice and straight, then the structure doesn't run away from you," he tells The Salt. If the peak of your roof is off by even a little, the whole thing could come crumbling down.

But the key to any great gingerbread house, Schafer says, is the icing that holds it all together: "Assuming that you don't eat the gingerbread - which can be a problem for some people - I've always seen the damage at the connections."

Icing can easily get too runny or too stiff. And even after it dries, it often isn't strong enough to hold the structure together. On the other hand, Schafer says, a strong glue can sometimes compensate for a faulty, unbalanced structure.

That's why Erica Kahn, an undergraduate at the Brown University School of Engineering who helps put on the school's yearly Extreme Gingerbread Competition, said she steers clear of icing altogether.

Instead, Kahn recommends melting down caramel, gummy candies and marshmallow. Once they're melted, the marshmallows become tacky and gluelike, Kahn tells The Salt. "They become this really strong, cementlike substance."

With these tips in mind, we proceeded to construct.

We did face one huge setback: Every grocery store in D.C. we hit for this little experiment had run out of gingerbread, so we had to settle for graham crackers.

Of course, graham crackers are weaker and more brittle than gingerbread. So to make sure our walls could stand strong, we sandwiched melted marshmallow cement between two graham crackers. The marshmallow adds weight, which helps stabilize the structure. It also acts as a sealant, ensuring that the cracker won't crumble.

We didn't use this technique on the roof because we were afraid it would become too heavy. Instead, we braced the roof with a couple of smaller pieces of graham cracker, glued horizontally along the center.

And to further reinforce the crackers, we sealed any weak spots with melted gummy bears.

Warm, gelatinous gummy bear goop is not unlike epoxy. You should be careful when you're working with this stuff. Cover your work surface with paper, and maybe wear some gloves.

We used the goo to hold the walls together ...

... and to secure the roof.

Schafer, the civil engineer, had warned us against using too many decorations. During earthquakes, it's often the nonstructural elements on houses, like heavy gargoyles, that can fall and hurt someone.

So we limited ourselves to a few gumdrops on the roof, secured with gummy bear epoxy.

To test the structure, we simulated an earthquake by shaking a table around. (If you want to be more scientific about it, you could use a shake table).

Nothing budged.

We then tried dropping our house from bigger and bigger heights.

Still nothing.

Even after we chucked it from a few feet up, we found only slight damage - at the eaves of the roof.

Sure, it's not the prettiest house. And while it's technically edible, you'd likely chip a tooth if you took a bite.

But we feel good knowing that with our design, gingerbread families everywhere can enjoy the holidays without having to worry about their roofs caving in.

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How To Build An Indestructible Gingerbread House

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Here's the thing about gingerbread houses. You labor over them for hours. You painstakingly decorate them with gumdrops and candy canes. And then, someone shakes the table it's sitting on, and boom! It all comes crumbling down, leaving a huge, house-shaped hole in your heart. Never again, we said.