FORCES TEST

form follows ________?

answer: function

meaning: the design of an object should be primarily based upon its intended function or purpose.

what is the difference between form and function

form refers to the physical shape and appearance of an object, while function denotes its intended use or purpose. In design, form should support function for optimal effectiveness.

what is the form of a slide?

form:

• tall

• long

• made of plastic and wood

• has a ladder and slope

what is the function of a slide

kids climb up the ladder and slide down for fun

what is a shell structure?

Shell structures are made with thin material on the outside, but are hollow on the inside. These types of structures are usually curved to help protect the structure from other forces. Shell structures are the lightest of the three main types of structures.

what is a frame structure?

A framed structure in any material is one that is made stable by a skeleton that is able to stand by itself as a rigid structure without depending on floors or walls to resist deformation.

what is a solid structure?

Solid structures are made of fairly dense material with few open spaces. This makes them sturdy and strong. They won't easily change shape when a heavy load or a lot of pressure is put on them.

what is a force?

A force is an action that changes or maintains the motion of a body or object. Simply stated, a force is a push or a pull. Forces can change an object's speed, its direction, and even its shape. Pushing a door open, pulling it closed, stretching a rubber band—all of these actions require force.

what comes first?

Function certainly influences form in many designs. Following the rule of '

form follows function

this means that functionality will always be considered first over aesthetics.

what is an external force?

External forces act from outside of the system, and the work that they do on a system changes the mechanical energy of the system. For example, the friction force will always act to oppose motion so it is an external force.

what is an internal force?

internal forces originate inside the system of interest and do not lead to any acceleration. In simpler words, internal forces are forces that act on one part of an object and are exerted by another part of the same object. External forces are forces that act on an object due to some other object.

what is a static load?

A static load is a mechanical force applied slowly to an assembly or object. Static loads do not change over time but remain constant, allowing tests to be conducted to determine the maximum loads that can be withstood by structures such as bridges or floors in tower blocks.

what is dynamic load?

A dynamic load is one that constantly changes, such as with the effect of people jumping up and down in a cable car. These changes can be random, periodic or a combination of the two. Dynamic loads are characterised as loads that vary, often delivering greater forces than with static loads as a result.

what is symmetry?

a balanced and proportionate similarity that is found in two halves of an object. It means one-half is the mirror image of the other half. The imaginary line or axis along which you can fold a figure to obtain the symmetrical halves is called the line of symmetry.

how does symmetry play into structural design?

Symmetry in architecture ensures orderly space planning and contributes to aesthetic appeal, stability, and organized design.

what forces act on bridges? how?

Bridges experience various forces, such as tension, compression, torsion, and shear. These forces impact the bridge's stability, load-bearing capacity, and durability.

what are the 4 most common bridges?

1. Beam bridges - Simple structures supported by horizontal beams.

2. Arch bridges - Feature curved structures that support weight through arches.

3. Suspension bridges - Rely on cables suspended between towers to hold the deck.

4. Cable-stayed bridges - Use cables attached to towers to support the bridge deck.

what are the 4 types of internal force?

1. Tension: A pulling force that acts along the length of an object. (like pulling a rope in tug-of-war)

2. Compression: A pushing force that reduces the length of an object. (like placing a book on a shelf)

3. Shear: A force that causes parts of a material to slide past each other (like scissors cutting paper).

4. Torsion: A twisting force that induces shear stress. (a wrench tightening a bolt, twisting the handle to apply torque)

what are some things that could cause a structure to fail and break?

reasons why a structure might fail:

● Design Failure - Structures may fail when they are not built according to code or when there are flaws in the architectural design.\

● Improper Communication - The people who design the architectural drawings may not be in communication with the team responsible for building the structure.

● Poor Foundations - The foundation is the base where the structure is situated. The soil near the foundation may shift due to poor drainage, plumbing leaks, and moisture in the land.

● Unanticipated Forces - Building designers may have underestimated the forces that will be placed on the structure.

how is structural safety ensured?

Structural engineers consider factors such as strength-to-weight ratio, durability, fire resistance, and cost when selecting materials. They may use advanced computer modeling to optimise material usage, ensuring that structures are both safe and economical.

what are ergonomics?

Ergonomics can roughly be defined as the study of people in their working environment. More specifically, an ergonomist (pronounced like economist) designs or modifies the work to fit the worker, not the other way around. The goal is to eliminate discomfort and risk of injury due to work.