Bridge Construction and Mechanics Flashcards

Vocabulary-based flashcards focusing on the mechanical principles and materials used in bridge construction, based on the course objectives.

Bridge Materials

The identification of specific substances used in construction, such as stone, wood, steel, and concrete, based on visual characteristics and properties.

Force (Kracht)

An influence that can change the motion or the shape of an object or structure.

The Five Types of Forces

The categories of physical influence categorised in the notes: compressive force, tensile force, torsion, bending force, and shear force.

Compressive Force (Drukkracht)

A force that pushes or squeezes a material together, reducing its length or volume.

Tensile Force (Trekkracht)

A force that pulls or stretches a material apart, increasing its length.

Torsion (Wringkracht)

A twisting force applied to an object by turning it in opposite directions at different points.

Bending Force (Buigkracht)

A force that causes a material to curve or flex, typically resulting from a load placed on a horizontal structure like a beam.

Reinforced Concrete (Gewapend beton)

A construction material that combines concrete with steel bars to provide high tensile strength, as standard concrete is weak under tension.

Triangulation in Construction

The use of triangles in structural design because they are inherently rigid and maintain their shape under stress, unlike quadrilaterals which can deform.

Egg Structural Integrity

A phenomenon where a raw egg cannot be crushed when squeezed evenly because its arched shape distributes the force across the whole shell; it fails if a crack is present to disrupt this distribution.

Construction Profiles (Profielen)

Specifically shaped materials (like I-beams) used to provide maximum strength and stability to a structure while using minimal weight and material.