| A | B |
|---|
| structure | any object that provides support; a structure may be made up of one or more parts, and it may be large or small; for example a chair is is a structure |
| force | a push or a pull that tends to cause an object to change its movement or shape; force is measured in newtons; an example of force would be pushing a scooter |
| shell structure | structure with a solid outer surface (which may be rounded or flat in shape) and a hollow inner area; for example, a styrofoam cup |
| structural strength | the capacity of a structure to support both the load of its own materials plus any additional load applied to it. |
| solid structure | structure made of a solid piece ( or soild combination of pieces) of strong material; for example, a cement pad |
| function | the use or purpose of a structure; for example, the function of a thermos is to keep a drink cool on a hot day |
| structural stability | the ability of a structure to ssupport both the load of its own materials plus any additional load applied to it |
| frame structure | structure consisting of a rigid arrangement of parts joined together; for example, a skeleton |
| aesthetics | the pleasing appearance or affect that an object has because of its design. |
| symmetry | balanced arrangement of mass on opposite sides of a line or plane, or around a centre or axis. |
| dynamic load | moving or changing force acting on an object; for example, the downward force of cars moving over a bridge |
| arch bridge | bridge supported by an arch, or a series of arches. |
| internal force | force that one part of a structure exerts on other parts within the same structure; for example, tension on a streched elstic |
| complementary force | two or more forces acting on an object at the same time. |
| beam | flat structure supported at both ends. |
| truss | framework of beams that form triangles; for example, your force pulling an elastic |
| stuctural stress | effect of all the forces acting on a structure at one time. |
| newton | unit for measuring force; 1 N equals the amount of force needed to hold up a mass of 100 g (1 N = 100 g) |
| load | external force acting on an object. |
| beam bridge | bridge supported by a beam, or several beams. |
| compression | force that acts to squeeze an object or push parts within an object together. |
| shear | force that acts to push parts that are in contact with each other in opposite directions; for example sissors cutting create a shear force |
| I-beam | beam with a cross-section in the shape of an I; for example, some types of curtain rod |
| cantilever | structure that is supported at only one end or point; for example, as found in a cantilever bridge, such as Stony Trail Bridge |
| structural fatigue | weakening of a structure due to the external and internal forces acting on it. |
| center of gravity | imaginary point in an object where the downward force of gravity acts. |
| static load | weight of a structure; for example, weight of a bridge |
| suspension bridge | bridge having its roadway hung by large cables between tall towers. |
| performance requirements | conditions that a structure, once built and in operation, must meet to show it is performing to certian standards. |
| tension | force that stretches and pulls apart an object; for example, your force pulling an elastic |
| arch | curved structure used in bridges and structures. |
| girders | long structure in the shape of a hollow rectangular prism. |
| column | solid, upright support structure in the shape of a cylindar. |
| structural failure | breakdown of a structure due to the external and internal forces acting on it. |
| brittleness | how easily a material breaks |
| deformation | a change of shape in any structural component, because the material is unable to resist the force acting on it. |
| friction | the force that results when the surface of one object moves across the surface of another. |
| ductility | how easily a material can be made into wire. |
| flexibility | the ability of a material to be bent under force repeatedly and not fail. |
| plasticity | how easily the material can be shaped. |
| joint | the place at which two or more components of a structure are joined together. |
| margin of safety | the limits within which the safety aspects of a structure are considered to be acceptable. |
| corrugation | forming a material into wave-like ridges or folds. |
| lamination | process of glueing layers of material together to form a strong bond. |
| force | the amount of pressure in which you exert onto an object. |
