AQA GCSE Product Design: 2.2 - Forces and Stresses

Forces Acting on Materials and Objects:

• Tension - Forces causing an object to be stretched or pulled apart
  • e.g. tug of war
• Compression - Pushing forces that squeeze an object
  • e.g. drink can, table, chair
• Shear - Cutting by moving an object sideways and in opposite directions
  • e.g. scissors
• Bending - Forces causing an object to bend
  • e.g. ruler
• Torsion - Twisting forces on an object
  • e.g. cars

Enhancing Materials

• In order to resist forces and stresses.
• Rope -
  • Stretchy twisted strands
  • Resistant against tension
• Concrete -
  • Steel bars
  • High compressive strength and tension resistance
• Fabrics -
  • Contain strips of another material
• Timbers -
  • Laminating 2 pieces together
  • Resistant against tension, bending, and compression.