Elementary Mathematics and Architecture

Alexander Hahn

University of Notre Dame

MAA Minicourse, Boston, January 4-8,

2012

Part IIa: The Sydney Opera House

tie-beam ground level

0 b

162.75 feet

4.50 feet

x

sine curve

pre-

stressing

cables2b

axis6 feet

7 in

4.50 ft

7 in

jacking

sliding

Concourse

beam

prestressing

cables

prestressing

cables

x

foundation

bearing

point

162.75 feet

0

y

bx x

z

R = b

q

x

p

A

B

a

D

qC

E

r

Or

F

6 feet

4.5 feet

G

y

c

z

c

c

c = 7 in = feet

c

tan a = 4721_

c

» 65.92a

712_

2

3_8 in = ft

o