This month, many people will head to their kitchens to do some gingerbread construction work. It’s not easy building a structure from nothing but baked dough, icing, and candies. A slight jolt and these treats can collapse.
For tips on creating a spectacular yet sturdy gingerbread house, Scholastic MATH spoke with structural engineer Mary Cuthbert. She usually designs hospitals and labs for building firm KPFF in Los Angeles. But once a year, Cuthbert and her colleagues build gingerbread houses as part of a company-wide contest. They test them on a shaking table, which is used to simulate earthquakes. The house that remains standing longest wins. “It’s a way to share holiday spirit while geeking out about architecture and engineering,” says Cuthbert.
The first step is to draw out a plan. “Consider what you want every piece to look like and how the pieces will fit together,” says Cuthbert.
Keeping the roof light minimizes the structural load, or weight, on the walls. When a heavy roof shifts from side to side, it puts stress on its supports. That’s why an accidental jolt can knock down an unstable gingerbread house.
Also, builders should think about the distribution of weight in the house. “Avoid stacking something heavy on top of something skinny,” says Cuthbert. “You want a house that’s wider at the base and narrower toward the top.”