Types of structures
Forces
Loads
Natural or Man-made?
Vocabulary & Concepts
100

What do we call a structure made by piling materials, like a snow fort or a sandcastle?

Mass structure

100

What is a force?

A push or a pull on an object

100

What is a static load?

A load that doesn't change or move

100

Is a bird's nest a natural or man-made structure?

Natural

100

What is mass?

The amount of matter in an object

200

What type of structure uses a skeleton-like frame to support it?

Frame structure

200

What do we call the force that pulls objects toward the Earth?

Gravity

200

What is a dynamic load?

A load that moves or changes over time

200

Is a skyscraper natural or man-made?

Man-made

200

What is weight?

The force of gravity on an object

300

What type of structure is hollow and usually made from a curved shape like a dome or shell?

Shell structure

300

What kind of force pushes materials together?

Compression

300

Is a person walking across a bridge a static or dynamic load?

Dynamic load

300

Is a tree a natural or man-made structure?

Natural

300

What is structural integrity?

The ability of a structure to stay safe and strong

400

Name two examples of a frame structure.

Examples: house frame, jungle gym, bike frame

400

What kind of force pulls materials apart?

Tension

400

What is the main load a bookcase must hold?

The weight of the books (live/static load)

400

Is a dam built by humans natural or man-made?

Man-made

400

What is shear?

A force that causes parts to slide past each other

500

Which type of structure often uses the least material and is shaped for strength and protection?

Shell structure

500

What do we call the force that causes materials to twist?

Torsion

500

What kind of load is caused by the weight of the structure itself?

Dead load

500

Name one structure built by animals and one built by humans.

Animal: ant hill / beaver dam; Human: bridge / house

500

What makes a structure strong and stable? (2 things)

Strong materials and a good design

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