Can You Answer This?

[Stargazer]

If you, the reader, actually KNOW the answer, please do not post it as I would like to see how easy or difficult this is for someone who has never considered it before! Why are manhole covers always round?

[bookbinder]

Round manhole covers are easier and cheaper to make than square ones. This is easy for me as I have considered it before.

[JimF]

Plus the fact that round covers cannot fall through the hole while square ones can.

[Togo]

A square one can fall through the opening?

[brian j john]

As a matter of fact i do know why

[elliemay1]

I think I know the answer but I thought we weren't supposed to post it!
//... please do not post it .../

[JimF]

"A square one can fall through the opening?"

Yes.

[bhg481]

Our house was built in the early 80s with rectangular manhole covers, our extension, built in the mid 90s, whas round manholes. So all manhole covers are not round.

[Togo]

It doesn't matter if the manhole cover fall down the hole in your back yard but it does on a street that may have horses pulling a cart. More expensive to make round fittings, so why do it if it doesnt matter.

[Togo]

"//A square one can fall through the opening?//.......Yes"

Err ... I did know that believe it or not(sarc). It was intended as a "reason" to the question.

[ToraToraTora]

Perlease! For the same reason baked bean tins are round!

[sanmac]

Anyway, those holes in the street are not called manholes anymore. They are now called personnel access chambers because there may be ladies on the team of workers.

[Ryzen]

Round,square,rectangular or triangular...soon to become person holes :-)

[Togo]

Wrought/cast iron used to be pricey you know. There is less needed to make round covers that give larger openings and access for less expenditure. They can also me moved on site by one man. He rolls it.

[Togo]

//Perlease! For the same reason baked bean tins are round!//

You have got me wondering why Spam and Corned Beef tins are oblong now TTT. :))

[piggynose]

Stargazer, this is a supposed ´Curveball question´.Which means there isnt an answer.

[Togo]

Circular strucures are also inherently stronger without a need to reinforce the sharp exposed corners. I would concur that there are a number of reasons why. These decisions were made when Britain was able to make a scientific, common sense, practical choice without the Warden Hodges and development advisers(looking at the negatives) types interfering.

[Ken4155]

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=woman+frustrated+by+square+peg+in+a+round+hole+youtube&&view=detail&mid=AC9C01FBD6A42928FE69AC9C01FBD6A42928FE69&rvsmid=81B78479AC43CCEF81FE81B78479AC43CCEF81FE&;FORM=VDQVAP

[Bazile]

They are round , because it's easier to unscrew

[sanmac]

They are round because it's much easier to drill a round hole in the street than a square hole...So there!

[Barsel]

Don't dig there
Dig it elsewhere
You're digging it round
And it ought to be square.

Sorry, it just reminded me of this song.