World governed by principles of physics and engineering

In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, I wandered through the streets of a devastated neighbourhood, marvelling at the destructive power of nature. Despite the chaos and destruction, I noticed a few houses that stood out among the wreckage. Their roofs remained intact, held in place by nothing more than a few bricks strategically placed on top.

I was intrigued by this simple yet effective method of roof reinforcement. How could such a small object like a brick prevent a roof from being blown off in a powerful storm? The answer, I realised, lay in the principles of physics and engineering that govern our world.

As I pondered this thought, my mind wandered to the image of a ship navigating through turbulent seas. Just like a rudder steers a ship through stormy waters, the bricks on these roofs provided stability and direction in the face of powerful winds.

The small rudder of a ship may seem insignificant compared to the massive vessel it guides, but its placement at the stern and its orientation relative to the flow of water allow it to exert a large turning moment. In the same way, the bricks on the roofs leveraged their weight and downward force to counteract the lifting forces of the wind.

At the heart of both scenarios is the concept of leverage and force amplification. The rudder of a ship uses the force generated by the flow of water to produce a significant change in direction. Similarly, the bricks on the roof increase the downward force, improving stability and preventing the roof from being lifted off by the wind.

INGENUITY

I marvelled at the ingenuity of the homeowners who had used such a simple yet effective method to protect their homes. Most of these homeowners were not from the middle class, and within their poverty lived a wisdom that is often overlooked by the educated. In the face of a powerful hurricane, they had relied on the age-old principles of physics to ensure the safety of their property.

As I continued my exploration of the neighbourhood, I came across one house that had not fared so well in the storm. Its roof lay in shambles, the zinc sheets scattered across the yard. It was a stark contrast to the houses that had been reinforced with bricks.

I couldn’t help but think of the immense power of nature and the resilience of mankind. In the face of a powerful hurricane, it was the humble brick that had stood as a barrier against the raging winds, just as a ship’s rudder steers it through the stormy seas.

As I left the neighbourhood, I carried with me the image of those houses with their reinforced roofs, a reminder of the power of bricks in the face of adversity. The next time I saw a ship sailing through turbulent waters, I would think of those bricks holding fast against the wind, a symbol of strength and protection in the midst of chaos.