Types of Structures
A push or pull, or anything that causes a change in the motion of an object .
What is a force?
This is the job that the structure is designed to do. For example, a train bridge is designed to support the weight of the train.
What is function?
Using ideas from nature to design human-made structures is called this.
What is biomimicry?
Stresses that act on a structure from outside it. For example, your kick when striking a soccer ball. These produce internal forces.
What are external forces?
A force that squeezes or pushes materials together.
What is compression?
The weight carried or supported by a structure.
What is load?
This is the force that constantly pulls objects toward the Earth.
What is a gravity?
This plant inspired self-cleaning building surfaces because water rolls off of it.
What is the lotus leaf?
Stresses put on the materials that make up a structure. Are the result of external forces.
What are internal forces?
A load that moves or changes over time.
What is a dynamic load?
This type of structure has a skeleton that supports the weight of the structure.
What is a frame structure?
Are made from more than one type of material. Example: concrete can be reinforced using steel rods.
What is a hybrid structure?
Name one example of a natural structure and a human-made structure inspired by it.
Bird bones → lightweight building frames
Honeycomb → strong, lightweight panels
Termite mounds → natural cooling buildings
Spider silk → strong cable materials
A load that does not move or change.
What is a static load?
How much force or weight something can handle.
What is strength?
These objects are strong and hollow and have a thin outer layer that is carefully shaped to provide strength.
What is a shell?
If you push on the top of a tall structure instead of the bottom, why is it more likely to tip over?
Because pushing higher up makes it easier to move the structure’s center of gravity outside its base of support.
When the center of gravity moves outside the base, the structure becomes unstable and tips over.
Many Indigenous structures were designed to handle local environmental forces. Name one Indigenous structure and explain how its design helps it withstand forces.
Tipi → Cone shape helps wind move around it; poles provide frame strength.
Igloo → Dome shape spreads compression forces evenly.
Longhouse → Strong wooden frame supports snow and weather loads.
Bends or tears material by pushing it in opposite directions at the same time.
What is shear force?
How well something stays balanced and does not tip over.
What is stability?
Examples of this type of structure include football helmets, dams, airplanes, domed buildings, warehouses.
What is a shell?
Explain the difference between an external force and an internal force.
An external force acts on a structure from the outside (like wind, gravity, or people).
An internal force occurs within the structure as parts push or pull on each other.
How are biomimicry and Indigenous structures similar in their approach to design?
Both use knowledge of nature to design structures that are strong, efficient, and suited to their environment. They consider forces like wind, snow, and gravity when designing.
Internal stresses can change the shape of a structure. This change of shape to a structure is called a ...
What is deformation?
What is the pleasing appearance or effect that an object has because of its design
What is aesthetics?