The pulling of objects towards the centre of the planet. Every object that has mass is acted on by this force.
What is gravity?
100
A framework made out of beams that form triangles for strength. These can be found in everything from roofs to bridges.
What are trusses?
100
Things with a definite size and shape, which serve a definite purpose or function.
What are structures?
100
What are the three criteria that your bridges are being judged on?
What are strength, appearance and cost-effectiveness?
200
A force that stretches apart, to expand or lengthen.
What is tension?
200
A plate or bracket used to reinforce an angle in a framework.
What is a gusset?
200
What an object is supposed to do?
What is its function?
200
How far of a gap does your bridge have to span (at least)?
What is 50 cm.
300
A force that squeezes or presses something together.
What is compression.
300
Why is a triangle an ideal bridge-building shape?
What is because it keeps its shape. The two sides of the triangle are pushed down by the force, and the bottom gets stretched out. Each side feels the force, but none of them bends.
300
The measure of the amount of matter in an object.
What is mass?
300
How wide must your driving deck be?
What is 8cm wide.
400
A force that twists.
What is torsion?
400
This framework increases structural strength and stability. Structures that use this framework are wide at the base and gets narrower as they goes up.
What is tapering?
400
The force of gravity exerted on a mass.
What is its weight.
400
Name the framework that you MUST include in your bridge
What is a truss framework?
500
A force that pushes in opposite directions.
What is shear?
500
Name at least three types of bridges we have studied in this unit.
What are suspension, cable, beam, and truss bridges?
500
The point, on an object, where you can picture the mass of the object being concentrated.
What is centre of gravity?
500
Name the four factors we discussed last week. These are factors that engineers need to consider when designing and building bridges.
What are the environment, cost, appearance, and strength.