Loads & Forces
What type of load do dams and retaining walls experience?
Distributed load
What does a retaining wall do?
Holds back soil
In the demo, what did the marbles represent?
Water
What is erosion?
Soil wearing away
A concave shape curves which way?
Inward, like a cave
What does the word “load” mean in engineering?
A force or weight applied to a structure
Why do we use dams and retaining walls?
To hold back or stop something from moving
What did the metal piece represent?
A retaining wall
What makes erosion happen faster on a steep hill?
Water moves faster
a Warrior, (King Warrior)
Why do engineers care about how forces are distributed?
Because uneven or strong forces can cause structures to fail
Why is the bottom leg of an L-shaped wall pointed toward the soil?
It helps the wall stay standing
Why did the paper “dam” break?
Too many marbles pushed on it, couldn't with stand the force
Why is erosion bad for structures?
It can weaken or damage them
What type of retaining wall was talked about today?
L Shaped
What is a distributed load?
A force spread out across a surface, but not always evenly
Where might you see a retaining wall?
Beside a road, hill, basement, or pool
Why did the rubber mat help the wall?
It made more friction so it didn’t slide
What do environmental engineers do?
Use math and science to solve environmental problems
Name one dam that was shown in the presentation.
Hover Dam, Woolwitch Dam, Three Gorges Dam
What do we call the force trying to tip a retaining wall forward?
The overturning moment
Why aren’t L-shaped walls used as dams?
Water can push up under them
What do we call it when the wall tips forward?
Overturning
How do retaining walls stop erosion?
They keep the dirt from sliding or washing away.
What are our names?
Alex, Alba, Sami, and Abdel