In our Honors geometry class we were given a task to build a structure out of 25 manila file folders and white glue. Before we could even start the project we started the long process of researching and interviewing people in the field of structural engineering. Then we set off on our project. We could only use the folders and glue that was it. The structure had to hold a minimum of 25 lbs and had to be at least 9.5". With those materials, the information we gathered and the guidelines we began to build our structure.
Tension is when a part of a structure becomes longer. One example of a structure that is under tension is a suspension bridge. The cables that hold up the bridge under a tremendous amount of tension.
Compression is when the force of gravity pulls down on a structure. Compression is basically when a structure gets shorter because a tremendous amount of weight is pushing down on it. An example of compression are the World Trade Centers. The World Trade Centers were under a tremendous amount of pressure when the collapsed September 11, 2001. All structures built in our class were all under compression as soon as the first weight was planted.
Rigidity is the inability to move or change shape. Triangles are an excellent example of rigidity. When a triangle is put under tension and compression it doesn't move because it is a rigid shape. In our structure we used cylinders arranged in a triangular form so the structure wouldn't bend and change shape easily.
Earthquakes, fires, explosion and tornados/hurricanes all effect structures in different ways. Earthquakes destroy the foundation of structures causing them to collapse. Fires destroy important supports that can also cause a structure to collapse. For example, the World Trade Centers , heat so intense it cause the steal beams that held the structure up to literally melt. Tornados and hurricanes destroy the structure with high winds leaving sometimes nothing at all behind.
Journalist - In my interview one great piece of information that I found to be most helpful in building was that cylinders were the way to go because they can hold a lot of weight.
Strength engineer- In order for our structure to be very efficient in terms of weight it had to have a wide base and a relatively short height. Our grade depended on how much weight our structure could hold and the height of the structure. We had to have a balance between the two and not focus on one or the other.
If we could build our structure over again we would make the whole project made of cylinders including the shape of the structure. Another change we would make that would of probably helped the structure to hold more weight would of been to distribute the weights evenly on top of the structure. We also could have used a little less glue so that the structure wouldn't of been so soggy. One last and final thing we would change would have been to put cylinders within a cylinder to help make the supports even stronger.
During our research we had to interview people in the field of structural engineering and these are the interesting things that we found out.
* Triangles are very strong shapes, but cylinders are also very helpful when building.
* It is very important when building to make sure all of the supports on the bottom are the same height and same size.