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Building and Construction Science Fair Project

Eggshell Arches and Load-Bearing Strength

Easy
Eggshell Arches and Load-Bearing Strength | Science Fair Projects | STEM Projects
How many books can four eggshell domes support before they crack? Arches appear in bridges and igloos because curved shapes spread weight evenly. You carefully break four eggs and cut each into a dome using tape as a guide. You arrange the four domes cut-side down in a rectangle on a table. Then you stack books on top one at a time. The domes hold far more weight than most people guess. The curved shape pushes force outward and downward, which prevents collapse.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis is that arches are strong because they exert horizontal as well as vertical forces to resist the pressure of heavy loads.

Method & Materials

You will carefully break off the small end of four eggs, remove the egg white and yolk, and wind a piece of cellophane tape around the center of each eggshell. Then, you will cut through the center of the tape to make four dome-shaped shells and lay them on a table with the cut sides down arranged in the shape of a rectangle. Finally, you will guess how many telephone books you can lay on top of the shells before they break.
You will need four eggs, tape, and books.

Results

This experiment demonstrates how arches are used in architecture not only for aesthetic appeal but for a very useful and needed purpose. The crown of an eggshell can support heavy books because the weight is distributed evenly along the structure of the egg.

Why do this project?

This science project is interesting and unique because it uses everyday materials to demonstrate a complex concept.

Also Consider

Experiment variations to consider include using different materials to make the arches, such as cardboard or paper, or using different objects to test the strength of the arches, such as coins or marbles.

Full project details

Additional information and source material for this project are available below.

Related videos

These videos explain the science behind this project and demonstrate key concepts used in the experiment.
Amazing "egg-speriments" to test the strength of eggshells! Learn how to prepare eggshells and see how much weight they can hold!
How many books do you think these eggshell arches can support? Don't be fooled by their delicate appearance, as these eggshell arches have an amazing strength and resilience that allows them to support incredible amounts of weight. See for yourself the impressive capabilities of eggshell structures!
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