What is the Shape of a Cupola?
History and Overview
2021-11-16 v1
Abstract
This article examines the shape of a surface obtained by a hanging flexible, inelastic material with prescribed area and boundary curve. The shape of this surface, after being turned upside down, is a model for cupolas (or domes) under the simple hypothesis of compression. Investigating the rotational examples, we provide and illustrate a novel design for a roof which has the extraordinary property that its shape, although natural, is modeled by a surface of revolution whose axis of rotation is horizontal.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2111.07920,
title = {What is the Shape of a Cupola?},
author = {Rafael López},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2111.07920},
year = {2021}
}
Comments
Accepted in The American Mathematical Monthly