D Structures and Forces Flashcards
structure
- an object that provides support
- can be made of one or more parts
- could be large or small
structural strength
- capacity to hold itself up as well as any weight added to it
structural stability
- ability to maintain its position even when it is being acted on by a force
solid structure
- formed from one solid piece or solid combination of pieces
frame structure
- made up of a rigid arrangement of parts fastened together (you can see gaps between the parts such as in a wheel)
shell structure
- solid outer surface and hollow inner area
What was the main function of the benches that was overlooked in the design task?
Their function was to provide comfortable, inviting seating.
What materials were used to build the benches?
Block-like concrete.
What was the primary concern raised by the parks commission after the benches were installed?
Few people ever use the benches because they are unappealing and uncomfortable.
True or False: The design focused too much on durability and security.
True.
Fill in the blank: The benches were designed to be _______ and secure.
[durable]
What profession is the person designing the benches?
Landscape designer.
What was the consequence of not considering the benches’ main function?
The benches were rarely used.
What is an important consideration in the design of public seating?
Comfort and appeal.
What did the landscape designer prioritize in their bench design?
Durability and security.
What is the primary function of an airplane?
Movement and shelter
An airplane serves to transport people and goods while providing a space for them during travel.
What is the primary function of a train?
Movement and shelter
A train can transport both people and cargo, offering protection during transit.
Why is it important for a designer to know all functions of a planned structure?
To design a structure that will be used effectively
Understanding the functions helps in creating a structure that meets user needs.
What human need does an inukshuk meet?
Expresses joy and much happiness
Inukshuit are symbols of Inuit culture and convey positive feelings.
What additional role do many types of inukshuit serve?
Provide valuable information for travellers
Inukshuit can act as navigational aids in the Canadian North.
What are the necessary characteristics for inukshuit to fulfill their role?
Clearly visible, stable, and strong
These attributes ensure that inukshuit can effectively guide and inform travellers.
What is the primary function of an airplane?
Movement and shelter
An airplane serves to transport people and goods while providing a space for them during travel.
What is the primary function of a train?
Movement and shelter
A train can transport both people and cargo, offering protection during transit.
Why is it important for a designer to know all functions of a planned structure?
To design a structure that will be used effectively
Understanding the functions helps in creating a structure that meets user needs.
What human need does an inukshuk meet?
Expresses joy and much happiness
Inukshuit are symbols of Inuit culture and convey positive feelings.
What additional role do many types of inukshuit serve?
Provide valuable information for travellers
Inukshuit can act as navigational aids in the Canadian North.
What are the necessary characteristics for inukshuit to fulfill their role?
Clearly visible, stable, and strong
These attributes ensure that inukshuit can effectively guide and inform travellers.
What common aspect do all successful technological solutions share?
They pay close attention to function.
Functionality is crucial in solving technological problems.
Who is the Canadian inventor mentioned in the text?
Norman Breakey.
Norman Breakey invented the hand-held paint roller.
What problem did Norman Breakey aim to solve in 1940?
How to paint a large wall quickly and inexpensively.
Traditional methods like paint brushes were slow and wasteful.
What was one of the main considerations for Breakey’s design of the paint roller?
It had to be light enough for people to handle.
Ease of use in various spaces was also important.
What is the primary function of the hand-held paint roller invented by Breakey?
To allow paint to be rolled on quickly and smoothly.
This innovation improved efficiency in painting.
Fill in the blank: The hand-held paint roller is used by _______ and do-it-yourself painters all over the world.
[professional painters]
True or False: The hand-held paint roller was designed to be expensive and complex.
False.
It was designed to be inexpensive and easy to use.
What modification process did Breakey go through before finalizing his invention?
He made many modifications to his prototype.
Iteration is key in the design process.
List two key characteristics that Breakey’s paint roller design needed to have.
- Easy to use in large or small spaces
- Inexpensive to make
What are structures classified according to?
Structures can be interpreted and classified according to the materials and components they are made of
This classification helps in understanding both natural and human-built structures.
How can one analyze the characteristics of structures?
By matching natural structures with similar human-built structures and comparing their similarities and differences
Characteristics can include shape, function, materials, and mechanisms.
Fill in the blank: A bat’s wing and an airplane wing are similar in _______.
shape
This similarity allows both structures to fulfill the function of flight.
True or False: The materials used in a bat’s wing and an airplane wing are the same.
False
They differ significantly in materials, with bat wings made of biological tissues and airplane wings made of metal and composite materials.
What function do both bat’s wings and airplane wings serve?
Both provide a means to fly
This functional similarity is a key point in comparing natural and human-engineered structures.
What is one major difference between a bat’s wing and an airplane wing?
The materials they are made of
Bat wings are composed of organic materials, while airplane wings are typically constructed from metals and composites.
What does aesthetics refer to?
The pleasing appearance or effect that an object has because of its design.
Do all structures need to be aesthetically pleasing?
No, not all structures need to be aesthetically pleasing.
What is an example of a structure that does not need to be beautiful in design?
The framework supporting a train trestle.
What are the essential qualities that a train trestle framework must have?
Strong and stable.
What should a park band shell be like in terms of aesthetics?
Pleasing to look at and use.
Fill in the blank: Aesthetics refers to the _______ appearance or effect that an object has because of its design.
[pleasing]
What does aesthetics refer to?
The pleasing appearance or effect that an object has because of its design.
Do all structures need to be aesthetically pleasing?
No, not all structures need to be aesthetically pleasing.
What is an example of a structure that does not need to be beautiful in design?
The framework supporting a train trestle.
What are the essential qualities that a train trestle framework must have?
Strong and stable.
What should a park band shell be like in terms of aesthetics?
Pleasing to look at and use.
Fill in the blank: Aesthetics refers to the _______ appearance or effect that an object has because of its design.
[pleasing]
What are structures that provide protection and are portable?
Teepees, yurts, and tents
Examples include North American teepees, Siberian yurts, and tents from the Middle East.
What material was commonly used for houses built by early peoples in Europe?
Sod
Sod is made from clumps of earth and was also used by pioneers in the Prairies.
Why were sod houses popular among early peoples?
Easy to obtain and cost nothing
Sod provided a relatively protected enclosure that could be heated by fire.
Fill in the blank: Many people around the world built homes that provided protection and were _______.
portable
True or False: The structures built by different cultures are all the same.
False
Structures vary widely among different cultures and times.
What traditional materials are used for constructing houses in hot climates?
Sun-baked brick (adobe), clay, or mud
These materials help keep interiors cool under intense sun.
What is the purpose of the shell form in hot climate houses?
To create interiors that can be kept cool
The shell form typically has few windows or door openings.
What types of materials have been used for dwellings in warm, wet countries?
Grasses and bamboo
These materials have been used for hundreds of years.
Why are some homes in wet countries constructed high on stilts?
To raise the dwelling above wet ground
This helps protect the homes from flooding.
What two essential characteristics do effective structures share?
- They are all basically stable
- They all provide shelter for the people who live in them
These characteristics are crucial for the functionality of any dwelling.
True or False: Houses in hot climates are often built with many windows to allow for ventilation.
False
These houses typically have few windows or door openings.
Fill in the blank: Dwellings made of grasses and bamboo have been built for _______ in many warm, wet countries.
[hundreds of years]
What is a force?
A push or pull that tends to cause an object to change its movement or shape.
Does the size of a force have an effect on your ability to resist it? True or False?
True.
What should you do to avoid injury when testing the size of a force?
Do not overload your hands and allow time for your arms to recover.
What is being tested in Figure 2.2?
The effect of the direction of a force on your ability to resist it.
What should you do before testing the direction of a force?
Record your prediction.
What type of pressure should be applied during the experiment?
Gentle but firm pressure.
Fill in the blank: A force is a _____ that tends to cause an object to change its movement or shape.
[push or pull]
What is a force?
A push or pull that tends to cause an object to change its movement or shape.
Does the size of a force have an effect on your ability to resist it? True or False?
True.
What should you do to avoid injury when testing the size of a force?
Do not overload your hands and allow time for your arms to recover.
What is being tested in Figure 2.2?
The effect of the direction of a force on your ability to resist it.
What should you do before testing the direction of a force?
Record your prediction.
What type of pressure should be applied during the experiment?
Gentle but firm pressure.
Fill in the blank: A force is a _____ that tends to cause an object to change its movement or shape.
[push or pull]
What are the three factors that determine the effect of a force on a structure?
The magnitude of the force, the direction of the force, the location where the force is applied
These factors are critical in engineering and physics to predict how structures will respond to applied forces.
Define the term ‘magnitude’ in the context of forces.
The size of the force
Magnitude is a quantitative measure that affects how much a force will impact a structure.
True or False: The direction of a force does not affect its impact on a structure.
False
The direction of a force is one of the key factors that determine its effect on a structure.
Fill in the blank: The __________ where the force is applied is one of the three factors that influence the effect of that force on a structure.
location
The location of force application can significantly affect structural integrity and performance.
What are the three factors that determine the effect of a force on a structure?
The magnitude of the force, the direction of the force, and the location where the force is applied.
Fill in the blank: The actual effect of a force on a structure depends on its _______.
[magnitude, direction, and location]
True or False: The bigger a force’s magnitude, the weaker its effect on a structure.
False
What does the magnitude of a force refer to?
The size of the force.
What is meant by the direction of a force?
The orientation in which the force is applied.
What does the location refer to in the context of force application?
The specific point on the structure where the force is applied.
How does the magnitude of a force affect its strength?
The bigger the force’s magnitude, the stronger it is.
How are forces represented in drawings?
Forces are represented by arrows.
What does the direction of an arrow indicate in force representation?
The direction in which the force is acting.
What does the length or size of an arrow represent?
How strong the force is.
What happens to the effect of a force as its magnitude increases?
The stronger the force, the more effect it will have on a structure.
What factor influences the effect of a strong force on a structure?
The mass of the structure.
True or False: The effect of a force is solely determined by its magnitude.
False.
What determines the effect of a force on a structure aside from its magnitude?
The direction in which the force acts.
Fill in the blank: The bigger a force’s ______, the stronger it is.
magnitude.
What can be inferred when two forces have the same magnitude but different directions?
They may have different effects on the structure.
What is a key visual representation tool for understanding forces acting on structures?
Arrows in drawings.
What effect does the location of force application have on an object?
It affects the outcome, potentially causing the object to topple if applied too high.
True or False: Applying a force at a point high up on an object may cause it to slide without toppling.
False
Fill in the blank: The outcome of applying a force depends on the _______ at which it is applied.
[location]
What may happen when a force is applied too high up on an object?
It may cause the object to topple over.
In the context of pushing a fridge, which direction is more difficult?
Pushing it in one direction (A) compared to the other direction (B).
What effect does the location of force application have on an object?
It affects the outcome, potentially causing the object to topple if applied too high.
True or False: Applying a force at a point high up on an object may cause it to slide without toppling.
False
Fill in the blank: The outcome of applying a force depends on the _______ at which it is applied.
[location]
What may happen when a force is applied too high up on an object?
It may cause the object to topple over.
In the context of pushing a fridge, which direction is more difficult?
Pushing it in one direction (A) compared to the other direction (B).
What is the standard unit for measuring force?
The newton (N)
The newton is named after Sir Isaac Newton.
How much force is needed to hold up a mass of 100 g?
One newton
This is similar to the force required to hold an apple in your hand.
How much force is approximately needed to hold a 1-kg book?
About 10 N
This is a practical example of force measurement.
Who is the newton named after?
Sir Isaac Newton
He was an English scientist.
In what year did Sir Isaac Newton describe the ‘law of gravitation’?
1687
This was a significant contribution to physics.
Fill in the blank: One newton is the amount of force needed to hold up a mass of _______.
100 g
What role do mass and distance play in Newton’s law of gravitation?
They are key factors in the law
The law describes how gravitational force depends on the masses involved and the distance between them.
What is an external force?
A force that is applied on a structure by something else.
Give an example of an external force.
Walking into wind or standing in waves.
What must all structures on Earth be able to resist?
The force of gravity.
How does gravity act on objects on Earth?
It constantly pulls them towards the Earth.
What is mass?
The amount of matter in an object.
What is the relationship between mass and gravitational force?
The more mass an object has, the greater the gravitational force.
What do astronauts experience when the space shuttle orbits Earth?
Weightlessness.
Fill in the blank: Gravity is the pull of _______.
Earth.
True or False: Gravity is considered an external force.
True.
What is the point where we can think of the downward force of gravity acting on a structure?
Centre of gravity
The centre of gravity is an imaginary point that helps in analyzing the stability of structures.
What happens to your body when you stand on one foot due to gravity?
You might have to move your arms or lean to one side
This illustrates the effect of gravity on balance and stability.
How does the location of the centre of gravity affect a structure?
It determines the structure’s stability
A structure supported at its centre of gravity will remain balanced.
True or False: Gravity acts on all parts of a structure equally.
True
Gravity influences every part, but the centre of gravity is a singular point for analysis.
Fill in the blank: The _______ is where gravity acts on a structure.
centre of gravity
This concept is crucial for understanding stability in physical structures.
What is the point where we can think of the downward force of gravity acting on a structure?
Centre of gravity
The centre of gravity is an imaginary point that helps in analyzing the stability of structures.
What happens to your body when you stand on one foot due to gravity?
You might have to move your arms or lean to one side
This illustrates the effect of gravity on balance and stability.
How does the location of the centre of gravity affect a structure?
It determines the structure’s stability
A structure supported at its centre of gravity will remain balanced.
True or False: Gravity acts on all parts of a structure equally.
True
Gravity influences every part, but the centre of gravity is a singular point for analysis.
Fill in the blank: The _______ is where gravity acts on a structure.
centre of gravity
This concept is crucial for understanding stability in physical structures.
What is the main method of increasing a structure’s stability?
Increase the width of its base relative to its height
This can be achieved by placing most of the mass of the structure close to the ground.
What effect does lowering the centre of gravity have on a structure?
It increases stability
True or False: A structure with a low centre of gravity and wide base is typically stable.
True
Fill in the blank: The point on a ruler where it will balance is known as the _______.
centre of gravity
Which is generally more stable, a structure with a narrow base or a wide base?
Wide base
What is one way to increase stability in a structure?
Place most of the mass close to the ground
What is symmetry in the context of a balanced ruler?
A balanced arrangement of mass that occurs on opposite sides of a line or plane, or around a centre or axis.
Symmetry ensures equal force of gravity on both sides of the centre point.
What happens to the ruler if the finger is moved away from the centre?
The mass on one side becomes greater, leading to an unbalanced ruler.
This results in greater gravitational force on the side with more mass.
For a symmetrical structure to be stable, what must be true about its mass distribution?
The mass must be distributed equally around the centre of the structure’s base.
This ensures equal force of gravity around the centre.
True or False: A symmetrical arrangement guarantees stability.
True.
Stability is achieved when mass is evenly distributed.
Fill in the blank: The force of gravity on either side of the centre point is _______.
the same.
What is the definition of a load in structural engineering?
A load is an external force on a structure.
What must a bookcase be designed to support?
Its own weight and the weight of the books it holds.
What factors contribute to the load on a bridge?
The force of gravity on a car, the force of wind, and the weight of the materials that make up the bridge.
What are the two types of loads that can affect structures?
Static and dynamic loads.
What is a static load?
The weight of a structure and the non-moving load it supports.
True or False: A static load changes frequently over time.
False
Fill in the blank: The weight of the books in a bookcase is a ______ on the bookcase.
load
What does the term ‘static’ refer to in the context of loads?
Not moving or changing.
What is an example of a dynamic load?
The push of a force, such as the wind blowing on a tower.
How does gravity affect the load on structures?
It pulls down on the structure and its contents.
What happens if a bookcase is overloaded?
It may fail to support the weight of the books.
What is the force of gravity acting on the mass of the bookcase considered?
A load.
What is the definition of a load in structural engineering?
A load is an external force on a structure.
What must a bookcase be designed to support?
Its own weight and the weight of the books it holds.
What factors contribute to the load on a bridge?
The force of gravity on a car, the force of wind, and the weight of the materials that make up the bridge.
What are the two types of loads that can affect structures?
Static and dynamic loads.
What is a static load?
The weight of a structure and the non-moving load it supports.
True or False: A static load changes frequently over time.
False
Fill in the blank: The weight of the books in a bookcase is a ______ on the bookcase.
load
What does the term ‘static’ refer to in the context of loads?
Not moving or changing.
What is an example of a dynamic load?
The push of a force, such as the wind blowing on a tower.
How does gravity affect the load on structures?
It pulls down on the structure and its contents.
What happens if a bookcase is overloaded?
It may fail to support the weight of the books.
What is the force of gravity acting on the mass of the bookcase considered?
A load.
What are the two types of loads that can affect structures?
Static and dynamic loads
What is a static load?
The weight of a structure and the non-moving load it supports
What does static mean?
Not moving or changing
Give two examples of static loads.
- Wood, nails, and screws used to make a bookcase
- Steel beams, cables, rivets, and steel plates used to construct a bridge
What is a dynamic load?
Forces that change over time, such as wind or moving vehicles
True or False: The weight of a bridge is considered a dynamic load.
False
Fill in the blank: The _______ of wind is an example of a dynamic load.
[force]
What type of load is the weight of a truck classified as?
Dynamic load
What is an external force that acts on all parts of a structure?
Gravity
Gravity is the force that creates a static load, also known as dead load.