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Triangles
Used in Architecture
By Nicholas Ramos
Geometry
and architecture are two disciplines that are fundamentally linked.
One
of the most recognized geometric shapes is the triangle.
Triangles
are identified by the three angles that are linked through line segments to
form a three-sided shape.
The
two most common triangular forms used in architecture are equilateral and
isosceles.
Triangles
and Architecture
Triangles are effective tools for architecture and are used
in the design of buildings and other structures as they provide strength and
stability.
When
building materials are used to form a triangle, the design has a heavy base and
the pinnacle on the top is capable of handling weight because of how the energy
is distributed throughout the triangle.
This
is why many residential homes have A-frames; it provides a sturdy structure.
The
most sturdy of the triangles are equilateral and isosceles; their symmetry aids
in distributing weight.
Equilateral
Triangle
The equilateral triangle is by far the most common triangle
used in architecture.
An
equilateral triangle features three congruent sides and angles measuring 60
degrees on each corner. The lengths of the sides vary.
A
common example of equilateral triangles used in architecture is the Pyramid
Complex of Giza in Egypt.
Each
of the four triangular sides that form the pyramids are equilateral triangles.
These
are examples of the strength of the triangle in architecture as the pyramids
have been standing for over 4,000 years.
Isosceles Triangle
Isosceles triangles, which have two equal sides, are also
found in architecture throughout the world, especially in modern pyramidal
architecture.
Isosceles
triangles were used in the architecture of the East Building in the National
Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
The
building was designed by the famous architect I.M. Pei.
His
architectural style featured the use of isosceles triangles and other geometric
shapes.
The
East Building was plotted on an oddly shaped piece of land.
Pei
used an isosceles triangle also as the base of the building to accommodate the
shape of the plot.
The
Flatiron Building in New York City is one of the world’s groundbreaking
skyscrapers.
This
building is built on a triangular block in Manhattan, giving it a triangular
shape, specifically, an isosceles. It has stood over 100 years, illustrating
the strength of triangular architecture.
Scalene
and Right Angle Triangles
A scalene triangle is one in which all sides are
incongruent. Scalene triangles are not commonly found in architecture.
There
is no symmetry in these triangles, causing an uneven distribution in weight.
This is hazardous as one angle will have more weight and pressure placed on it
than another.
Right
angle triangles have one angle that is a perfect 90 degrees. These special
triangles are not traditionally used in the structural characteristics of a
building.
They
are, however, vital to the construction and design of the building.
Right
triangles are used to create perfect corners and straight lines. If the walls
and corners of a building are crooked, the building also will be crooked.
Additional
Information
Triangles are also used as adornments in architecture, not
just in the foundational design.
In
churches, triangular windows are often featured as window frames or in the
stained glass, possibly representing the Holy Trinity.
The
Hearst Tower in Manhattan uses triangular framing to add extra support for the
tower and to frame the all-glass window structure; both equilateral and
isosceles triangles are used.
About the Author
Nicholas Ramos was born
in Washington, D.C. He is currently a journalism major in Georgia and plans to
specialize in law. Ramos has been writing since 2009, specializing in fashion,
travel and health.
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