>>64488307
>The hexagon is the strongest shape in nature
It's the fucking triangle. There's a reason bridge trusses use triangles instead of hexagons.
Hexagons are just an effective way to cover an area with identical shapes that interlock without wasting space, and using the least amount of material. Which is why bees use it in their hives. The areas where you see hexagons used for strength are honeycomb core composite layers where the hexagon shape is NOT used for strength but strength-to-weight ratio.
The core layer is used like a series of I-beams, it resists vertical load and torsion, not compressive stresses from the sides. Hexagons are just more effective at covering area than triangles. But the hexagon shape isn't giving it strength, just like in an I-beam the web is the main resistance to stresses and not the flange.
Triangles would be "stronger" but in a way that isn't necessary and would waste more material. You can test this by using a Meccano or Erector Set toy, make shapes with straight strips and allow the corners to hinge. If you make a square, pentagon or hexagon and push into any corner, the hinge will allow the shape to collapse. If you make a triangle and push a corner, it won't collapse because the force prying the two strips apart will transfer to the third strip which will resist the tensile load.
>t. dropped out of mechanical engineering