COMMONWEALTH SECONDARY SCHOOL

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

2012

Name: ________________ (
1 What are structures?

) STRUCTURES

Class: _______

A structure is something that carries a load and withstands other forces acting on it. You can find structures in many places. All structures have 3 things in common, which are: a) they must resist forces; b) they must not collapse during use and; c) they must hold parts in the right place. Structures are classified as either man-made or natural. Examples:

Natural Structures

Man made Structures

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COMMONWEALTH SECONDARY SCHOOL

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

2012

Types of Structures Structures can also be classified as frame or shell structures.

2.1 Frame Structures A frame structure is made up of separate parts of materials, known as members. Members are joined together to form basic shapes such as triangles and rectangles. These basic shapes can then be combined to form more complicated structures. Frame structures are strong but relatively light. Hence they are commonly used for long distance spanning structures such as bridges, and where tall buildings are constructed.

Bone structure Frame Structures 2.2 Shell Structures A shell structure has no frame. Unlike frame structures, the load is not carried by members but by its outer skin. A shell structure is lighter compared to a frame structure and has the advantage of protecting what is inside it. Examples include tin cans and helmets.

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COMMONWEALTH SECONDARY SCHOOL

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

2012

In real life, many structures are a combination of frame and shell structures.

Functions of Structures The functions of structures include: a) supporting a load; b) spanning between points; c) containing things and; d) protecting things.

Span
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Support

COMMONWEALTH SECONDARY SCHOOL

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

2012

Protect 4 Forces

Contain

Structures are subjected to forces due to their own mass and the loads they carry. They may be subjected to different kinds of forces, depending on the ways loads are applied. Forces that structures may bear include compression, tension, torsion, shear and bending. 4.1 Compression When in compression, the structure is being squeezed as shown in Figure 4.1.

Figure 4.1

4.2 Tension When in tension, the structure is being stretched or pulled as shown in Figure 4.2.

Figure 4.2
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COMMONWEALTH SECONDARY SCHOOL

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

2012

4.3 Torsion When in torsion, the structure is being twisted as shown in Figure 4.3.

Figure 4.3 4.4 Shear When subjected to shear forces, the structure is being cut into two by forces acting in opposite directions and at different points from each other as indicated in Figure 4.4.

Figure 4.4 4.5 Bending When subjected to bending forces, the structure bends as shown in Figure 4.5.

Loads

Figure 4.5

A structure has to support its own mass as well as other loads. For example, the wooden bench that you are sitting on now has to carry the mass of the timber from which it is made, as well as your mass. There are two basic kinds of loads:

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COMMONWEALTH SECONDARY SCHOOL

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

2012

a) b)

Static load and; Dynamic load (not covered at this level).

5.1 Static Load Static loads are loads that are stationary (not moving). When you sit on the bench, the bench is carrying a static load. Figure 2.1 shows another example of a static load.

Load

Rigidity of Frame Structures Rectangular structures are not rigid. They change shape when subjected to an applied force as shown in Figure 6.1.

Figure 6.1 A triangular structure is more rigid. It can resist the change in shape when a force is applied, due to the equilibrium of forces.

Figure 6.2

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COMMONWEALTH SECONDARY SCHOOL

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

2012

6.1 Triangulation A rectangular structure can be made more rigid by constructing it out of triangles. This is known as triangulation. The diagonal members used to increase the rigidity of structures are called bracing members. Some methods of bracing are shown in Figure 6.2A.

Another way of increasing the rigidity of structures is to fix gusset plates to each joint. This is shown in Figure 6.2B.

Gusset plates

Figure 6.2B

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