Archways Quote by Gustave Eiffel
“The fundamental idea of these pylons, or great archways, is based on a method of construction peculiar to me, of which the principle consists in giving to the edges of the pyramid a curve of such a nature that this pyramid shall be capable of resisting the force of the wind without necessitating the junction of the edges by diagonals as is usually done.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Lecture on Structural Design, Gustave Eiffel, 1889
Eiffel describes a construction method where pyramid edges are curved to resist wind without diagonal bracing.
In simple terms: Curved pyramid edges can hold up against wind without extra braces.
Use curved edges for wind‑resistant designs.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- bridge building
- skyscraper design
- wind tunnel testing
- architectural education
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does curvature affect material usage?
- What are the trade‑offs between simplicity and strength?
Curved edges may be harder to fabricate and require precise calculations.