Maximum Brick Stacking Height: Investigating the Compression Strength of Bricks

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on determining the maximum height of brick stacking before the bottom brick fails under compression. The key factor to consider is the compression strength of the bricks, which is influenced by the weight of the bricks above and the cross-sectional area of the stack. A suggestion is made to research existing tall brick structures, such as the Church of St. Martin in Landshut, Germany, for practical insights. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the limits of compression strength in brick materials. Overall, the analysis of brick stacking height is fundamentally linked to the bricks' compression strength and structural integrity.
nautica
I am trying to figure out how many bricks can be stacked before the bottom brick is crushed?

Not sure where to start - thinking about using bulk modulus for clay, but that only talks about compression, which I am sure there is a limit, but I am not sure how to find this.

Thanks
Nautica
 
Physics news on Phys.org
For a first cut, the compression strength is all you need to look at. The force at any position is the sum of the weight of all of the bricks above it. The area is the cross sectional area of the stack.

How detailed an analysis do you need to do?
 
nautica,
if you search for 'tallest brick building' on the web, one of the results will be the church of St.Martin in Landshut/Germany (130 m), see here:

www.st.martin-landshut.de
 

Thread 'Struggling to understand the concept of this question (ice cube in water optics question)'

TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
View full post »
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
View full post »

Similar threads

Energy of a water tank with compressed air
Replies
5
Views
1K
What is the maximum distance of a stable brick stack without overhang?
Replies
2
Views
4K
What Is the Maximum Height Reached by a Falling Brick?
Replies
1
Views
1K
Optimizing Brick Stacking: Minimum Energy Requirements
Replies
10
Views
1K
Bricklayer problem (involves springs)
Replies
2
Views
6K
How to analyze the compression of a clay ball
Replies
13
Views
2K
I Stacking bricks-Physics puzzle
Replies
7
Views
2K
How Much Should a Spring Be Compressed to Launch a Brick 3.6m High?
Replies
4
Views
10K
Free-Fall Physics Problem: Position, Height, Time, and Speed of a Falling Brick
Replies
1
Views
5K
Isothermal Compression of a Ideal Gas and Distance
Replies
8
Views
6K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top