funny question but i was asked at an interview
2007-02-01 00:47:47 · 17 answers · asked by winner 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
So that the manhole cover doesn't fall into the hole.
A round shape for a manhole cover is the only shape that prohibits the cover itself from actually falling into the hole and eliminates a safety issue for the worker down below. Any other shape of a manhole and manhole cover, even an oval, will allow the possibility of the heavy cover falling in the hole.
I have an even better question (and answer) for you.
Q: Why is it that manholes are strategically placed on roadways directly where your vehicle's tires contact the road so that you constantly run over them as you drive?
A: JUST to plss you off.
2007-02-01 06:06:24 · answer #1 · answered by Mickey Nation 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not so funny really. I have no clue who engineered the original thought that round was best, but I have some idea as to the why.
In any manhole there is a lip/ a ridge to aid in tolding the cover flus to a road or sidewalk. It's possible that they were once square, but kept falling into the hole and lifted trying to get the cover to stay upright.
With round, as they are currently designed the cover cannot penetrate the opening more than half way.
If square, for example, even with a retaining lip, the distance from corner to corner would be greater than the size of each side of the square lid, hence a risk of the cover falling through the hole if stood on any one edge. in the hole.
Steven Wolf
2007-02-01 01:01:16 · answer #2 · answered by DIY Doc 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My dear, it's not a funny, it is a technical question.
Manhole covers are made round as a circular cover may not pass through its own opening at manhole. Where square shape covers if you enter on diagonally it will pass through the same hole of it. So always square shaped covers fell down in manhole pits and the open manhole is so dangerous.
2007-02-01 01:04:19 · answer #3 · answered by Ishfaq A 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Man holes are made round so they cannot fall into themselves. If the were any other shape there is a possibility that they could fall into the hole. A circle is the same dimension all the way around, but a square for example could be turn diagonally and dropped through the hole. This is because the side demension of the square is shorter in length than the length of the diagonal.
2007-02-01 00:56:11 · answer #4 · answered by Wilgey 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
A Round manhole cover means it is a place where you can descend down to the sewer. A square manole denotes that there is no acess to the main sewer, Okay.
2007-02-02 05:55:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is because it is safe to get in and out of with less concern for pump hoses or lines being caught on corners.
Evidently a round hole is a better option for the workers as well. It is easier to manouver when pulled loose,and to pull up or push up when required.
Round covers reqires less maintainece as there is less chance of a corner breaking off.
I agree a very strange question to ask for a job interview!
2007-02-01 01:04:51 · answer #6 · answered by sistablu...Maat 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They aren't all round, some of the ones in Salisbury are pentagons (5 sided.) Some are squares cut diagonally ( 2 triangles fitted together)
2007-02-02 02:52:56 · answer #7 · answered by The witches cat ! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're not always round - I have square ones over the sewers around my house.
2007-02-01 01:16:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
main reason it is heavy and being round you can roll it into place and secondly if it were square it would be difficult to remove if placed onto opening and fell in at an angle.
2007-02-02 22:56:55 · answer #9 · answered by bothalezi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well pipes are round due the fact that a pipe is the strongest hollow shape
2007-02-01 02:20:18 · answer #10 · answered by dottydog 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋