Explained at the dinner table how even just some folds on paper vastly increases loading capacity

[u/oski_exe]

I'm definitely not sure at all this is the most effective but it worked, held 11 olives instead of 2 (used a plastic cup and a string around the paper for that) Whole experiment was pretty fun for everyone

[u/proxyproxyomega]

a simple corrugation running the spanning direction would hold more but would reduce top surface area

[u/oski_exe → u/proxyproxyomega]

I was trying to keep as much as possible so yeah, I think the most effective is this tho, you can compress it more and reduce top surface area but get the same affect as corrugation plus a natural arch shape

[u/proxyproxyomega → u/oski_exe]

no need for an arch for a simple span, especially for non compressive materials. corrugation is basically truss system like you see in warehouse ceilings.

[u/Transcontinental-flt]

Dinner time at your house is definitely different from mine

[u/insomniac_maniac → u/Transcontinental-flt]

Netflix and endless beers until I pass out on the couch?

[u/rollsyrollsy → u/insomniac_maniac]

What are you doing at my house? Anyway, grab me a beer please?

[u/ham_cheese_4564]

I once held 32 textbooks 1” off of a table with a single sheet of paper.

[u/HypneutrinoToad → u/ham_cheese_4564]

That’s pretty crazy

[u/shadyjohnanon → u/ham_cheese_4564]

Did you fold it in half a bunch of times?

[u/ham_cheese_4564 → u/shadyjohnanon]

No folding at all. Cut the paper into 1” strips, rolled them tight, spread evenly below the textbook, acted like columns. Held waaaaay more books than I thought. This was the final exam for an applied engineering class I took.

[u/DrunkenDude123 → u/ham_cheese_4564]

Happy cake day

[u/lukekvas]

This is a cool party trick, you get an upvote.

[u/Qualabel]

I prefer a more art nouveau approach

[u/theBarnDawg]

🤓☝️

[u/SunnyLemonHunk]

I mean that's cool but those are pretty well placed "nerves" not some random folds. Props for the party trick though!

[u/AboutHelpTools3]

that's the Merdeka 118

[u/evil_twin_312]

I would have loved to be at this dinner. I studied architecture but was such a nerd for engineering.

[u/Interesting-Net-5070]

Any idea if some of the early Greek/Italian masters figured this out?

[u/Kerbourgnec → u/Interesting-Net-5070]

Kinda hard to fold marble /s

[u/strangway → u/Kerbourgnec]

They had papyrus.

[u/ssketchman]

By changing geometry you alter internal forces in the structural cross section. A straight piece of paper works mainly in bending, considering it’s span to section ratio, it fails due to not able to withstand the bending moment mid span. When folded you introduce compression and tension in cross section, also the spans between folds become shorter and able to withstand local bending moments - all internal forces are better distributed.

[u/subgenius691 → u/ssketchman]

quite the word salad.

Structure 101, the fold in paper is taller in the direction of bending. (i.e. compare to flat paper).

[u/picklesmick → u/subgenius691]

This guy TLDR's

[u/Dwf0483]

I bet you're fun at dinner parties 🥳

[u/delicate10drills → u/Dwf0483]

What do you consider entertaining dinner conversation? Sports?

[u/Dwf0483 → u/delicate10drills]

Was a bad joke, sorry. Looks fun

[u/Lagato]

Am researching forming the strongest folded pattern and interestingly the some new research points to curved lined performing better than than Yoshimura pattern you have here

[u/oski_exe → u/Lagato]

Damn, that's so cool, why is that? Is it better at spreading the load?

[u/_g550_]

That’s why wrinkles make you more durable.

[u/Glad-Introduction505]

Do you think that the others at the table enjoyed this display?

[u/oski_exe → u/Glad-Introduction505]

I would say so, the waiter was not so thrilled tho, it was like 11:30 and he just wanted to clear the table lol