Form & Structure

• Structure


  An object with a definite, unchanging size and shape that serves a purpose
• Function


  The purpose of a structure. A structure can have multiple functions
• Load


  The weight that is carried or supported by the structure
• Force


  A push outside the structure that creates forces inside the building. If the force is big enough, it could change the shape or size
• Man-made structures


  • Eiffel tower
  • Buildings
  • Houses
• Natural structures


  • Beaver dams
  • Trees
  • Cobwebs
• Shell structure


  Has a thin outer layer and is empty
• Shell structure examples


  • Egg
  • Honeycomb
  • Box
  • Mug
• Frame structure


  A frame structure has a skeleton of a strong material and then is filled in and covered with other materials
• Frame structure examples


  • Leaves
  • Cobwebs
  • Bicycles
• Solid/Mass structure


  A solid/mass structure is a structure that is made by piling up other materials into a shape or design
• Centre of gravity


  A point within an object where all its weight is distributed evenly in every direction
• Centre of gravity


  Can impact stability because if a structure had a high centre of gravity it would tip over and collapse but if a structure had a lower centre of gravity it would be more stable
• External force


  A force that happens outside the structure
• External force examples


  • Weather
  • People
  • Natural disasters
• Internal force


  A force that acts from the inside
• Tension


  Created by stretching a material by pulling the ends
• Tension examples


  • Rubber band
  • Pulling a rope
• Compression


  Crushing a material by squeezing it together
• Compression examples


  • Squeezing a bottle
• Torsion


  Twisting a material by turning the ends to the opposite direction
• Torsion examples


  • Twisting a bottle cap
  • Twisting a rag
• Shear


  Bending or tearing a material by pressing different parts at the same time
• Shear examples


  • Scissors
  • Nail clippers
• Arches


  • Can support large loads because the force of the load is carried down to the arch
  • Example: Bridges
• Truss


  • A framework of beams that are connected together, usually in a form of interlocking triangles
• Column


  • A frame made of vertical columns and horizontal beams that are weak in the middle
• Direction of force


  Where the force is coming from
• Point of application of force


  Where the force is being applied
• Plane of application of force


  The side of the structure that is affected by the force
• Magnitude of force


  How large or small the force is compared to the size and weight of the structure
• Static load


  How gravity affects the structure
• Dynamic load


  Forces that move or change while acting on the structure
• The total load is the combined sum of the static and dynamic loads
• A dynamic load


  Can gradually change depending on their magnitude, direction and point and plane of application
• Structure


  An object with a definite, unchanging size and shape that serves a purpose
• Function


  The purpose of a structure. A structure can have multiple functions
• Load


  The weight that is carried or supported by the structure
• Force


  A push outside the structure that creates forces inside the building. If the force is big enough, it could change the shape or size
• Types of structures


  • Man Made structures
  • Natural structures