Unit D Section 1 Introduction Structures: Design and Function
Completion requirements
Section 1: Structures vary greatly in design and function.
Unit D: Section 1 - Introduction
Figure D.S.1.1 – The sleek style of sports cars is attractive to many people.
Figure D.S.1.2 – Logging trucks are designed to carry large loads on narrow roads.
Different Vehicles for Various Situations
Have you ever wondered why so many types of vehicles are on the road?
Bicycles, motorbikes, Smart cars, sport cars, sedans, limousines, minivans, pickup trucks, tractor-trailers… The answer has to do with structural design and function.
Could you use a small sports car to transport huge logs? Would you want to drive a minivan around a race track?
People use vehicles for various purposes, or functions. Most important is that the structure of the vehicle matches the function of the vehicle. That is why fast cars are designed to be low to the ground and lightweight but tractor trailers have many large wheels on heavy frames.
Trucks used for hauling heavy materials such as logs and oil need to be strong and long to carry their huge loads. Railroad tankers and ocean tankers are much larger, but they are designed according to function, also.
In this section, you will learn more about how both human-built and natural structures have designs that connect to their functions.
Have you ever wondered why so many types of vehicles are on the road?
Bicycles, motorbikes, Smart cars, sport cars, sedans, limousines, minivans, pickup trucks, tractor-trailers… The answer has to do with structural design and function.
Could you use a small sports car to transport huge logs? Would you want to drive a minivan around a race track?
People use vehicles for various purposes, or functions. Most important is that the structure of the vehicle matches the function of the vehicle. That is why fast cars are designed to be low to the ground and lightweight but tractor trailers have many large wheels on heavy frames.
Trucks used for hauling heavy materials such as logs and oil need to be strong and long to carry their huge loads. Railroad tankers and ocean tankers are much larger, but they are designed according to function, also.
In this section, you will learn more about how both human-built and natural structures have designs that connect to their functions.
Figure D.S.1.3 – Minivans are designed to transport groups of people.
Figure D.S.1.4 – Racing cars are designed to be small, light, and fast.
Words to Think About:
Check out the word cloud below. It pictures the important words that you are going to learn in this section. Watch for these words, and combinations of these words, as you read. When you see them highlighted, you can click on them to learn more about
what the word means.
You can also visit the course glossary and read definitions for all of these words.
Lessons in This Section
Lesson D1: Classifying Structures
Key Question – What are some basic forms of structures?
Lesson D2: Case Study: Alberta Structures
Key Question – What are some interesting structures in Alberta?
Lesson D3: Structure Design and Function
Key Question – Why is knowing the purpose of a structure important before you design it?
Lesson D4: Structures around the World
Key Question – Why are structures around the world with similar purposes so different in design?
Reading and Materials for This Section
Science in Action 7
Reading: Pages 264-279
Materials Lists for Unit:
Try It!
Eggshell Platform
Try this simple experiment at home to test the strength of eggshells.
Materials:
Try this simple experiment at home to test the strength of eggshells.
Materials:
- 2 raw eggs (You can save the contents in a covered bowl in the fridge; make some cookies later!)
- some hardcover books (Don't start with a heavy dictionary or your experiment may end quickly!)
Figure D.S.1.5 – How strong is an eggshell?
Instructions:
- Carefully crack two uncooked eggs in half. Empty and rinse the eggshells. You will have four half eggshells.
- Place the eggshells on a table, round side up. Arrange the eggshells so that they make a square.
- Predict how many books you can pile on the eggshells before they break. (This is your guess, but think about it!)
- Carefully place one hardcover book on top of the square of four half eggshells, one eggshell supporting each corner of the book. (Any failures yet?)
- Add another book on top of the first book. (Are the half-shells holding?) Be careful, the books may fall or shift at any time. Carefully add more books until one or more eggshells break... and now you know the strength of those egg shells!
Questions:
Think about the following questions very carefully. Then, type or write your answers. When you have your answers, click the questions for feedback.
Think about the following questions very carefully. Then, type or write your answers. When you have your answers, click the questions for feedback.
Congratulations for making the eggshell platform! If you predicted correctly, that’s excellent. (If you didn’t, don’t fret!) The number of books eggshells can hold usually surprises most people. Eggshells are very strong, but depending on the size of the eggs and how the shells were cracked, the number of books that an eggshell platform will hold can be different every time you try this activity. Eggshells vary in thickness and books vary in weight.
The curved shape of eggshells makes them strong. This is especially the case when force is applied to the ends of the egg. Breaking an eggshell in half makes two domes, and domes are very strong structures.
To produce their young, birds sit on their eggs to keep them warm during incubation before hatching. The shell structure of eggs is light enough that chicks can break through when they are hatching but strong enough to protect the developing chick and prevent the sitting hen from breaking the egg prematurely.