The same concept applies to animal (and plant, building, structure, etc.) size: weight varies with the cube of the "size", while the cross-section of the supporting structures (trunk, legs, etc.) varies with the square.
So the relationship "weight/supported weight" increases with size, to the point where it won't support itself.
More directly, the heat generation/dissipation relation applies to buildings. Larger buildings need heating systems less and cooling systems more - famously, the Mall of America does not have an explicit heating system, since internal business activity is more than enough.
Comments
The same concept applies to animal (and plant, building, structure, etc.) size: weight varies with the cube of the "size", while the cross-section of the supporting structures (trunk, legs, etc.) varies with the square.
So the relationship "weight/supported weight" increases with size, to the point where it won't support itself.
More directly, the heat generation/dissipation relation applies to buildings. Larger buildings need heating systems less and cooling systems more - famously, the Mall of America does not have an explicit heating system, since internal business activity is more than enough.