Large Structures
Identify materials used in large structures
(i) wood
(ii) metal
(iii) concrete
(iv) stones
Comparison of properties of construction materials
Material Cost Tensile Compressive Durability Improved Mass Use
strengt strength by
h
Metals Expensive High High Rusts, Coating Heavy Pylons,
cranes,
corrodes Alloying tower
lights
Concrete Expensive Low High Very Reinforce Heavy Bridges,
dam walls,
durable
houses
Reinforced Expensive High High Very N/A Heavy Bridges,
Concrete durable houses
Wood Cheap Low Low Decays Use Light Roof
under creosote, trusses
moisture, fire
retardants
Destroyed and
by termite
poisons
termites
and
fire
Stones Cheap Low High Very N/A Heavy Bridges,
dam
durable walls
Durability is the ability of a material to withstand deterioration by organisms, elements of
weather and chemicals (resistance to decay, corrosion and rusting).
Bridges
A bridge is any structure across a gap used by pedestrians, animals or vehicles to cross the gap.
It has two parts namely
(i) The deck, on which traffic moves, and
(ii) The pier and abutments, which support the load (traffic).
Types of bridges
(i) Pier and beam bridge
(ii) Arch bridge
(iii) Suspension bridge
Pier and beam bridges
Suitable materials
Piers: materials strong in compression and resistant to corrosion by moisture e.g. concrete, metals,
stones.
Beams: durable materials, that are strong under both tension and compression e.g. metal, reinforced
concrete.
Reinforcements are placed in regions where tension is experienced and not all over the beam!
Arch bridges
The function of the arch is to support the load by changing the downward force into sideways
thrusts.
The arch is very strong in compression and only experiences compression stresses with forces on
abutments being very large hence foundations for these are built on solid rock.
To demonstrate the strength of arches
1. Load both bridges with masses until each one gives in.
2. Compare number of masses needed before each one gives in.
The arch ‘bridge’ withstands a much bigger load than the beam bridge.
Suitable materials for arches
(i) steel (metals) (ii) stone (iii) concrete (iv) bricks
Suspension bridges
Cables experience only tension.
Towers experience compression.
Cables take up the best shape to support the load.
Suspension bridge is an inverted arch (upside down arch) hence reversal of forces in the arch
(tension in place of compression).
Suitable materials
Towers: – concrete, metal, reinforced concrete.
Arches and vertical supports: – steel cables made from many wires so that if one wire fail so thers will
still support the load.
Dam walls
A dam is a structure built to hold back water in a reservoir.
To show that liquid pressure increases with increase in depth
Water shoots furthest from hole C (bottom) and least from A (hole at top).
This shows that pressure increases with depth, hence dam walls must be thicker at the bottom
to withstand higher pressures.
There are two types of dam walls:
(i) concrete dam walls; and
(ii) earth dam walls
Concrete dam walls
1. Usually arch shaped so that the arch collects the horizontal water forces and changes them into
lateral forces.
2. Are expensive to construct.
3. Usually built across high, narrow gorges.
Advantages of concrete dam walls
1. Use of wall as a bridge.
2. Generators (hydro-electric) fitted on the dam walls.
Earth dam walls
Usually straight.
Cheaper to construct than concrete walls.
Suitable for wider gorges.
semi-impervious layer (gravel and earth soil
Grass prevents erosion as roots hold soil particles together.
Stones/rocks prevent erosion by water.
