Structural Strength and Stability

static loads

live load

a car driving over a bridge is a live load

dead load

a dead load is a non moving load

static loads don't change in size

Dynamic Load

a dynamic load is a load that can change like wind

Plane of Application

the plane of application is the angle that the force is applied

Point of Application

the point of application is where a forces is applied on a horizontal line

Direction

direction is the way a forces pushes

Magnitude

more magnitude means a stronger push

triangles

truss

trusses are often seen in bridges

gusset

gussets are used in bridges to improve the stability

curves

arch

arches are also seen in bridges

ties

ties resist torsion forces

struts

struts resist compression forces

Corrugation

corrugation is used in cardboard

Lamination

lamination can be used to make wood stronger

tension

tension happens when two forces pull away from each other

Torsion

you use torsion to twist off bottle caps

shear

scissors use shear to cut things

compression

compression happens when two forces push together

stable

my house is a stable structure

unstable

building that are unstable fall down

center of gravity

the point on a structure that the weight is perfectly balanced

base of support

the base of support is the area of the structure that surrounds the center of gravity