STRUCTURES & MECHANISMS: Structural conditions /2

These pictures depict some important rules about structural conditions:

EXAM: Structures & Mechanisms (THEORY)

This is a difficult lesson, so you're going to take 2 exams:

• (1) THEORY [20th February 2018]
• (2) PRACTICE [12th March 2018]

STRUCTURES (theory)

What is the mission of a structure? Definition.

Natural and man-made structures. Definition. Identify drawings.

FORCES AND LOADS

Forces. Static effect=deform. Dynamic=move/stop. Parameters: Intensity, direction, trajectory, point of application.

Loads. Definition. Types (Fixed or permanent) and (variable). They produce stress on the structure of a body.

STRESS

Traction, compression, bending, torsion, shearing or cutting. Identify definitions, identify drawings, draw arrows and put real examples (from the student’s book).

MAN MADE STRUCTURES

Identify definitions & drawings. 

• Massive structures and lintels. 
• Vaulted structures 
• STONES->COMPRESSION. 
• Triangular structures. 
• Suspended structures 
• CABLES->TRACTION. 
• Reinforced concrete structures.
• CONCRETE+STEEL -> COMPRESSION+TRACTION. 
• Laminated structures. 
• Pneumatic structures. 
• Spatial and geodesic

STRUCTURAL CONDITIONS

Stability. Centre of gravity must be centred over its base and close to the ground. Ways of achieving stability (pictures).

Resistance. Depends on the material, quantity of material and the shape of the structure.

Rigidity. Avoid deforming considering:

• Shape. Chosen to resist compression (avoid buckling), traction and bending stress
• Rigid joints. What is corbelling useful for?
• Using triangular structures & crossbracing.

STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS

Match structural elements with their corresponding pictures (columns, pillars, lintels, arches (KEY STONE), vaults, buttresses, flying buttresses, load bearing wall, retaining wall, joists and blocks, foundations with footings, foundations with piles, suspenders and tension rods, bracing).

MECHANISMS (theory)

What is the mission of a mechanism? Definition, comparison with structures.

LINEAR TRANSMISSION

Levers, Pulleys, Fixed Pulley, Movable Pulley, Compound pulley systems.

Description, equation.

Identify drawings and give examples (from the student’s book).

ROTARY TRANSMISSION

Wheels & belts, friction wheels, pulleys with belts, interlocking gears, sprockets with chains.

Description, equation.

Driver & Driven wheel concept

Identify drawings and put real examples (from the student’s book).

TRANSFORMATION OF MOTION

Winch and crank, rack and pinion, crank and rod

Description, equation.

Identify drawings and put real examples (from the student’s book).

STRUCTURES & MECHANISMS: Vocabulary (structures)

Flashcards game

Source: Carolina

STRUCTURES & MECHANISMS: Structural conditions

Watch this intriguing video:

Playing this game, you can practice structural conditions in a funny way:
(Click here if your browser doesn't show it)

STRUCTURES & MECHANISMS: Vocabulary (mechanisms)

Practice vocabulary with these 2 interactive activities:

Flashcards

Speller game

Source: Carolina

STRUCTURES & MECHANISMS: Pulleys

Here's an in-depth explanation of pulleys (activate subtitles if necessary):

STRUCTURES & MECHANISMS: Let's play!

In this lesson we're going to have fun playing 2 interesting games:

• STRUCTURES: West Point Bridge Designer
• Download EXE setup file from here
• Sample Youtube tutorial below

• MECHANISMS: Gears & Chains
• Visit this web link if you see a "Get Adobe Flash" icon