Podcast
Questions and Answers
What are the three factors that determine the effect of a force on a structure?
What are the three factors that determine the effect of a force on a structure?
- Magnitude, direction, location (correct)
- Mass, speed, height
- Size, direction, weight
- Magnitude, speed, location
What is the unit of force mentioned in the text?
What is the unit of force mentioned in the text?
- Gram
- Joule
- Kilogram
- Newton (correct)
What is the main method of increasing a structure's stability according to the text?
What is the main method of increasing a structure's stability according to the text?
- Decreasing the mass
- Increasing the height
- Reducing the width of the base
- Lowering the center of gravity (correct)
What type of load is exerted on an elevator by ten people waiting for the doors to close?
What type of load is exerted on an elevator by ten people waiting for the doors to close?
Which type of load involves an external force that moves or changes with time?
Which type of load involves an external force that moves or changes with time?
What is the primary factor engineers consider when deciding what type of bridge is suitable?
What is the primary factor engineers consider when deciding what type of bridge is suitable?
What is the main method of increasing a structure's stability?
What is the main method of increasing a structure's stability?
Why is symmetry important for the stability of a structure?
Why is symmetry important for the stability of a structure?
What is a dynamic load in relation to structures?
What is a dynamic load in relation to structures?
What type of force acts to push parts within an object together?
What type of force acts to push parts within an object together?
Which internal force acts to stretch and pull apart something?
Which internal force acts to stretch and pull apart something?
What is the purpose of an arch in a structure like a bridge?
What is the purpose of an arch in a structure like a bridge?
What type of structure is a beam supported at both ends?
What type of structure is a beam supported at both ends?
In what shape are trusses usually designed?
In what shape are trusses usually designed?
What is a cantilever structure?
What is a cantilever structure?
Match the following internal forces with their definitions:
Match the following internal forces with their definitions:
Match the following structures with their descriptions:
Match the following structures with their descriptions:
Match the following types of beams with their additional descriptions:
Match the following types of beams with their additional descriptions:
Match the following terms with their meanings:
Match the following terms with their meanings:
Match the following descriptions with their corresponding structures:
Match the following descriptions with their corresponding structures:
What type of force acts to squeeze an object or push parts within an object together?
What type of force acts to squeeze an object or push parts within an object together?
Explain the concept of complementary forces in structures.
Explain the concept of complementary forces in structures.
How does an arch help in supporting a large load in structures like bridges?
How does an arch help in supporting a large load in structures like bridges?
What is the difference between an I-Beam and a Girder (box beam) in terms of design and strength?
What is the difference between an I-Beam and a Girder (box beam) in terms of design and strength?
Describe the structure of a truss and explain why it is usually designed in interlocking triangles.
Describe the structure of a truss and explain why it is usually designed in interlocking triangles.
What is a cantilever structure and how does it resist loads?
What is a cantilever structure and how does it resist loads?
Explain the role of a column in a structure and why it is considered a solid support.
Explain the role of a column in a structure and why it is considered a solid support.
How does a beam differ from an arch in terms of its shape and support?
How does a beam differ from an arch in terms of its shape and support?
What are the three main types of internal forces acting within structures?
What are the three main types of internal forces acting within structures?
Explain how a truss differs from a beam in terms of their design and purpose in structures.
Explain how a truss differs from a beam in terms of their design and purpose in structures.
What kind of internal force acts to push parts that are in contact with each other in opposite directions?
What kind of internal force acts to push parts that are in contact with each other in opposite directions?
Which structure can support a large load by carrying the force down through it to the foundation, spreading out the load?
Which structure can support a large load by carrying the force down through it to the foundation, spreading out the load?
What is the term used for different kinds of internal forces acting on a structure at the same time, with bending being one example?
What is the term used for different kinds of internal forces acting on a structure at the same time, with bending being one example?
In what shape are trusses usually designed to form a framework of interlocking beams?
In what shape are trusses usually designed to form a framework of interlocking beams?
Which type of beam is a long beam in the shape of a hollow rectangular prism?
Which type of beam is a long beam in the shape of a hollow rectangular prism?
What is the term used for a force that acts to stretch and pull apart something?
What is the term used for a force that acts to stretch and pull apart something?
Which type of structure is a flat structure supported at both ends?
Which type of structure is a flat structure supported at both ends?
What kind of force acts to squeeze an object or push parts within an object together?
What kind of force acts to squeeze an object or push parts within an object together?
Flashcards
Force Magnitude
Force Magnitude
The size of a force.
Force Direction
Force Direction
The way a force is pushing or pulling.
Force Application Point
Force Application Point
The location on a structure where a force acts.
Newton (N)
Newton (N)
Signup and view all the flashcards
External Force
External Force
Signup and view all the flashcards
Gravity
Gravity
Signup and view all the flashcards
Centre of Gravity
Centre of Gravity
Signup and view all the flashcards
Stability
Stability
Signup and view all the flashcards
Mass
Mass
Signup and view all the flashcards
Weight
Weight
Signup and view all the flashcards
Symmetry
Symmetry
Signup and view all the flashcards
Load
Load
Signup and view all the flashcards
Static Load
Static Load
Signup and view all the flashcards
Dynamic Load
Dynamic Load
Signup and view all the flashcards
Truss Bridge
Truss Bridge
Signup and view all the flashcards
Performance Requirements
Performance Requirements
Signup and view all the flashcards
Bridge Supporting Conditions
Bridge Supporting Conditions
Signup and view all the flashcards
Study Notes
Measuring Forces
- The effect of a force on a structure depends on three factors:
- Magnitude (size) of the force
- Direction of the force
- Location where the force is applied
- The unit of force is the Newton (N), named after Isaac Newton
- 1 Newton = amount of force needed to hold up a mass of 100 grams (g)
External Forces Acting on Structures
- External force: a push or pull that tends to cause an object to change its movement or shape
- Gravity: a force that acts on all parts of a structure, but is concentrated at a point called the centre of gravity
- Mass: the amount of matter in an object, with more mass resulting in a greater gravitational force
- Weight: the pull of gravity on mass
Centre of Gravity
- The centre of gravity is the point where the downward force of gravity acts on a structure
- The main method of increasing a structure's stability is to increase the width of its base relative to its height
- One way to do this is to place most of the mass of the structure close to the ground, which lowers the centre of gravity
- When a structure is supported at its centre of gravity, it will stay balanced
Symmetry
- Symmetry is a balanced arrangement of mass that occurs on opposite sides of a line or plane, or around a centre or axis
- For a symmetrical structure to be stable, its mass must be distributed equally around the centre of the structure's base
- This means that the force of gravity around the centre is also equal, making the structure stable
Load
- Load: an external force on a structure
- Static load: the weight of a structure and the non-moving load it supports (e.g. books on a bookshelf)
- Dynamic load: an external force that moves or changes with time (e.g. moving students on a staircase at school)
- Types of dynamic load include people, traffic, earthquakes, wind, waves, and blasts
Requirements for a Structure
- How well will a structure hold up under the load it was designed to carry out?
- Performance requirements should always be expressed in Maximum Weight
Supporting the Load
- Engineers need two conditions to decide what type of bridge is suitable:
- What the bridge is crossing (water/land)
- What kinds of loads the bridge will be supporting
Types of Bridges
- Truss Bridge: a lightweight but strong bridge, made of trusses (triangle-shaped frames) along its sides
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
