Exploring Structural Engineering Fundamentals Strength of Shapes

Exploring Structural Engineering Fundamentals Strength of Shapes

Shapes in Bridges

Shapes in Buildings

Shapes in Other Things!

Relative Strength of Shapes On your paper, sketch what you think will happen to these shapes if we apply the force shown in GREEN (assume the sides are rigid)

Relative Strength of Shapes The TRIANGLE is the only shape that won’t collapse! WHY?

Relative Strength of Shapes The other shapes collapse because the angles between the structural members change.

Triangles The TRIANGLE cannot collapse because the angles are fixed based on the opposite side length. c A B b a C

Relative Strength of Shapes All other shapes can be deformed because the angles are not fixed. Draw these shapes in a way that will keep them from collapsing.

Relative Strength of Shapes Make TRIANGLES!

3D Shapes The same thing applies in 3D

3D Trusses The same thing applies in 3D

Exploring Structural Engineering Fundamentals Strength of Shapes