system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
Why are some cooling towers at power plants "hyperboloid" shaped?
gpt
Just from the structural side, a 'hyperboloid of one sheet' (which is the kind of hyperboloid they are) can be constructed of straight segments on two biases, cris-crossing.  Depending on the eccentricity of the hyperboloid, each straight member crosses several of the ones in the other direction, this allows it to be very resistant to buckling.  Using a hyperboloid you can make a rather tall and wide clear space without the need for internal ties to keep the walls from bowing out under the weight.  Similarly the structure is very resistant to wind loads because it basically turns a side load into internal torsion and shear.