🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1993Jan5.173440.10482@informix.com> robertw@informix.com (Robert Weinberg) writes:
>Manhole covers are manufactured in circular shape, rather than oval or square, to  
>satisfy one paramount condition.
>
>What is the condition, and why does a circular shape satisfy it?

Actually, access covers are circular for many reasons, and I often use this
as a game with kids to get them to stretch their brains.

I don't know which reason you have in mind, but here are some:

    - It is orientation free: it will fit in any position
    - It can't fall into the pipe
    - It gives maximal cross sectional area for a given amount of material
        (i.e., it is the most economical shape, assuming the covers are cast,
        and not cut)
    - It does not have to be carried, but can be rolled, so considerably
        less strength is required to manoeuver it
    - Human beings are roughly round in horizontal cross section (to varying
        degrees of accuracy, of course)
    - Orientation of the access hole with the ladder in the pipe below is not
        of concern

However, I think the paramount reason why access covers are round is that the
access opening they are covering is round :-)

Dave Hare