When we began to create the opening we decided to start excavation from the corners carefully pulling blocks out one by one. We soon realised that the structure was quite solid and that it could easily support itself even when many base blocks were removed. The reason this construction style is so successful is that the load is evenly distributed across the blocks. Even when blocks are removed the weight gets distributed elsewhere. This makes the structure very stable even when base supports are removed.
Other structures included a cylindrical tower which was the tallest in the class. It too supported itself when an opening was excavated.
WEEK 1
Compression