Types of Structures
(natural or manufactured)
(natural or manufactured)
What is a structure?
A structure is something that you can see and touch which can be man-made or found in the natural environment. (ex: human body, skyscraper, plant/tree)
What are solid structures?
Solid structures are things made up of one piece of strong material. A solid structure relies on its own mass to resist the forces that may be placed upon it.
What is a static load?
A static load is the effect gravity has on a structure. It can be categorized into two sections, dead load and alive load.
What is force?
Force is any stress of push or pull placed on an object causing it to change shape or movement.
What is the line of symmetry? Give examples of objects that are symmetrical.
The line of symmetry is an imaginary line that splits an object exactly in two.
Name some types of structures.
Anything that you can feel and touch such as the CN Tower, lamps, couches and much more.
What are frame structures?
Frame structures are structures that are composed of a framework of parts that are fastened together to provide strength.
What is a dynamic load? List some examples.
A dynamic load is a force that changes while acting or pushing on the structure. For example, running water or high winds.
What is magnitude?
The magnitude is the amount of force being put on an object.
Is popcorn symmetrical?
Is the Eiffel tower symmetrical?
Popcorn is not symmetrical every popcorn is different.
The Eiffel Tower is symmetrical.
What are the two ways you can classify solid structures?
You can classify solid structures into two categories, a natural structure or a manufactured structure.
What are combined structures? List some examples.
Combined structures are a combination of two or more different types of structures.
What is the shape that is commonly used in structures? Why can't you use other shapes?
The shape that is most commonly used in structures is triangles because triangles a strong and they have a rigid shape. You can't use other shapes such as circles or squares because they will collapse and fall apart easily.
What is the direction?
Where the force is coming from or going to is called the direction.
Do symmetrical objects have more stability or less stability.
Symmetrical objects have a lot of stability because they can spread out more evenly across the length of the object.
What is a manufactured structure? Give some examples.
A manufactured structure is a structure that is man-made. Some examples can include brick or the Eiffel Tower.
What are shell structures? Give some examples.
Shell structures are hollow structures that require very little material for their construction. For example a beehive honeycomb.
What 3D shapes are often used to support the load of its structure, and why?
The 3D shapes that are most often used to support the load of a structure are columns, beams and arches. They are most commonly used because they can split out the weight evenly compared to other shapes.
What is the point of application?
What is the plane of application?
The point of application is a specific location where the force exactly meets the structure.
The plane of application is the side of the structure that is affected by the force.
When an object is symmetrical, it means that the force of *blank* is equal on either side.
What is gravity
What is a natural structure? Give an example.
Natural structures are structures that come from the earth. Some examples can include rocks or a tree.
What is a tennis racket classified as?
What is a brick classified as? Is it manufactured or natural?
What is a fridge classified as?
A tennis racket is classified as a frame structure.
A brick is classified as a solid structure. It is a manufactured structure.
A fridge is a shell structure because it is hollow.
What is performance testing and why is it important?
Performance testing is testing that ensures products meet the expected quality to be sold to consumers.
What is an external force?
What is an internal force?
An external force will act upon an object from the outside.
An internal force is when one part of a structure acts on other parts of the same structure.
Why is it important for engineers to design something that is symmetrical?
It is important for engineers to design something that is symmetrical because it might look more aesthetically pleasing for the consumers and they will want to buy it more.