Exploring Structural Engineering Fundamentals
Teac
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ree
STEM
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Teac
hEng
inee
ring
.org
– F
ree
STEM
Cur
ricu
lum
for
K-12
Teac
hEng
inee
ring
.org
– F
ree
STEM
Cur
ricu
lum
for
K-12
Teac
hEng
inee
ring
.org
– F
ree
STEM
Cur
ricu
lum
for
K-12
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)
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The TRIANGLE is the only shape that won’t collapse!
WHY?
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ree
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The other shapes collapse because the angles between the structural members change.
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The TRIANGLE cannot collapse because the angles are fixed based on the opposite side length.
A
C
B
a b
c
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All other shapes can be deformed because the angles are not fixed. Draw these shapes in a way that will keep them from collapsing.
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ree
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Make TRIANGLES!
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The same thing applies in 3D
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STEM
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The same thing applies in 3D
Teac
hEng
inee
ring
.org
– F
ree
STEM
Cur
ricu
lum
for
K-12
Exploring Structural Engineering Fundamentals
Teac
hEng
inee
ring
.org
– F
ree
STEM
Cur
ricu
lum
for
K-12