Topic 2

Question 1

What is a function?

Answer 1

What your structure is supposed to do.

Question 2

What are aesthetics?

Answer 2

Usually an unwritten specification basically entails how good your structure looks. Designs that look good are known as aesthetically pleasing.

Question 3

What is a margin of safety?

Answer 3

Structures have extra strength that allows them to carry larger loads than they are designed for.

Question 4

What must the qualities of a material match?

Answer 4

Its function. A combination of materials can be used to give the exact properties needed

Question 5

What is a composite material?

Answer 5

Something made up of more than one material. (ex. reinforced concrete)

Question 6

What is a lamination?

Answer 6

Layers of different materials

Question 7

Describe woven/knit materials.

Answer 7

• Hair like fibres can be twisted
  together to make yarn.
• Yarn can be woven in crisscross
  patterns to create cloth
• Yarn can also be looped and
  interlocked to create knits.
• Allows for strong yet flexible
  materials

Question 8

What factors need to be considered when choosing materials?

Answer 8

Cost, appearance, environmental impact, and energy efficiency.

Question 9

What are joints?

Answer 9

Where pieces of a structure are
held together, often the weakest portion.

Question 10

Name and describe the two categories of joints.

Answer 10

Mobile: Allow movement while still holding parts together
Rigid: No movement for stability.

Question 11

Name and describe the 4 types of rigid joints.

Answer 11

• Fasteners: Nails, staples, bolts, screws,
  rivets through holes (which can weaken the structure)
• Ties: Thread, string, rope. Seams are “tied together” with a sewing machine
• Adhesives: Sticky substances that hold things together. (con: could weaken)
• Melting: Metal and/or plastic being melted together. (welding and soldering)
• Interlocking shapes: Carefully shaped parts can hold themselves together

Question 12

What is the difference between thermosetting and solvent based glue.

Answer 12

Thermosetting: Harden when they cool.
Solvent-based: Harden when they dry out.

Question 13

What is the difference between welding and soldering?

Answer 13

Welding: melts pieces of metal
together
Soldering: surrounds pieces with a
different melted metal and locks the
pieces together as it cools.