Making Structures Stronger: Truss, Arch, Dome

Structures and Mechanisms – #5 Designers can use other shapes to make structures stronger and better looking:

ü Use trusses (triangles)

ü Use arches and domes (curves)

Trusses The triangle is a very strong shape! A truss is a network of beams that form triangles.

Examples – crane, stage, bridges, towers, houses

Benefits of the truss:

• Forces are spread out between the triangles.

• Can be bent or curved and still keep the strength.

• Can help structure support more weight.

Types of trusses:

Arches An arch is a curved structure used to support a load. Examples - windows, doors, bridges,

and plane hangers.

Benefits of arches:

• Can span large spaces

• Strong shape

• Compression forces are transferred downwards

Domes A dome is a shell structure looking like half a sphere. Examples - planetarium, stadiums,

churches, and mosques.

Benefits of domes:

• Can enclose a large space

• Very strong shape

• Compression forces are transferred downwards in many planes

 

Roman Aqueducts (move water)

Really Cool Science – Carbon Nanotubes

Making Structures Stronger: Truss, Arch, Dome

Structures and Mechanisms – #5 Designers can use other shapes to make structures stronger and better looking:

ü Use ______________ (triangles)

ü Use ____________ and ______________ (curves)

Trusses The triangle is a very strong shape! A truss is a network of beams that form triangles.

Examples – _____________________________________________________________

Benefits of the truss:

• ______________________________________________________________

• ______________________________________________________________

• ______________________________________________________________

Types of trusses:

Arches An arch is a curved structure used to support a load. Examples - __________________

__________________________________________

Benefits of arches:

• ____________________________________

• ____________________________________

• ____________________________________

Domes A dome is a shell structure looking like half a sphere. Examples - ___________________

___________________________________________

Benefits of domes:

• ___________________________________________

• ___________________________________________

• _________________________________

 

Roman Aqueducts (move water)

Really Cool Science – Carbon Nanotubes

Design a Cantilever (Lesson  #4,  5)  

Engineer Names: __________________________________________

Materials: ________________________________________________

Time Limit: __________________

Length: ______________________________________(record when done)

Sketch of Design: [Draw in placement of all straws and tape. Label any ties, struts, gussets, Draw 3D].

Your Challenge – Design a cantilever that is anchored at one end. You can anchor structure to top and side of desk.