"Why Do" Wednesday - Why Do Soda Bottles Have Ridges On The Base?

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Man, I love me some cold soda! Ever wondered why the plastic soda bottles have those bumps/ridges on the base?  Is it just to make it look cool or is there some other reason?  Well RookieGuru is here for you to let you know!


So why do they have these bumps?  Well, the short answer is to make the bottle stronger.  First thing is that this portion of the bottle is usually a bit thicker too.  But forming that shape makes the base more rigid and strong.  It is the same concept used for corrugated roofing.  Bending any material increases its strength and rigidity.


These ridges are not only for the standing stability of the bottle, but keep the bottles from deforming under pressure. Since soda cans are under some decent pressure, especially if they are shook up, these ridges keep the bottle from bulging at the bottom.  This would not be so good for standing up!


A plastic soda bottle can withstand anywhere from 80 PSI all the way up to even 250 PSI depending on temperature and soundness/type of the bottle. To put this into perspective that is like taking a 250 pound person and having them stand on a square inch peg.   All that weight in that little small area.  So would be as if you stuffed like 20 250 lb dudes into a 20 oz soda bottle... Typically a car tire holds anywhere from 30 to 55 PSI and those can support the weight of a car.  So soda bottles are pretty freaking strong!


So be very grateful for those little ridges to keep your soda bottle from going nuclear on you...! lol

#RookieGuru
#GiveMeMore


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