Unit D Lesson D3 Structure Design and Function
Completion requirements
Lesson D3: Structure Design and Function
Video Lesson
When you design a structure, thinking about how the structure will be used is important. In fact, structure is usually the result of function. You need something for some purpose; you build something to do that! Watch this video to learn more about how
the function of an object affects the design of its structure.
Lesson D3: Structure Design and Function
Same Function, Different Designs
Over time, the design of a structure often changes, even if the function, or purpose, does not change. New ideas, new materials, new techniques all contribute to a world of amazing designs. That is why experiencing and studying various designs for structures is so interesting!
Over time, the design of a structure often changes, even if the function, or purpose, does not change. New ideas, new materials, new techniques all contribute to a world of amazing designs. That is why experiencing and studying various designs for structures is so interesting!
Reading for This Lesson
Science in Action 7
Materials:
Science in Action 7
Reading: Pages 269–275
Materials:
No other materials are required for this lesson.
Figure D.1.3.1 – The first bicycle design was called a "dandy horse".
Figure D.1.3.2 – A penny-farthing bicycle, popular in the 1870s.
Figure D.1.3.3 – The "Safety Bicycle" looked like modern bikes.
Bicycles: Many Designs
The penny-farthing bicycle design had a high wheel in front (the large penny coin of that time) and a small wheel behind (the farthing coin). The large wheel meant the bicycle moved faster than earlier types because the pedals were directly on the front axle, similar to a child’s tricycle today.
Would you feel safe riding it? Penny-farthings had several disadvantages. Getting on was difficult, and, if they stopped suddenly, people would fly over the handlebars and be hurt.
Soon, a bicycle with a gear chain was invented. This “safety bicycle” allowed people to ride faster but closer to the ground. Bicycles today use this basic design but with several improvements.
The penny-farthing bicycle design had a high wheel in front (the large penny coin of that time) and a small wheel behind (the farthing coin). The large wheel meant the bicycle moved faster than earlier types because the pedals were directly on the front axle, similar to a child’s tricycle today.
Would you feel safe riding it? Penny-farthings had several disadvantages. Getting on was difficult, and, if they stopped suddenly, people would fly over the handlebars and be hurt.
Soon, a bicycle with a gear chain was invented. This “safety bicycle” allowed people to ride faster but closer to the ground. Bicycles today use this basic design but with several improvements.
Figure D.1.3.5 – Smartphones are small enough to carry in a pocket.
Figure D.1.3.6 – The first smartphones were invented in the early 1990s, but they became very popular about 2007.
Multiple Functions in One Design: Smartphones
It wasn’t too long ago that people thought just being able to make calls on a mobile phone was amazing. But now, the many features and functions packed into powerful smartphones make them capable of replacing almost all computing, communication, and entertainment devices.
Twenty years ago, it would take a room full of electronic equipment to do all things a smartphone does! Smartphones are an excellent example of designing many functions into a single, compact design.
It wasn’t too long ago that people thought just being able to make calls on a mobile phone was amazing. But now, the many features and functions packed into powerful smartphones make them capable of replacing almost all computing, communication, and entertainment devices.
Twenty years ago, it would take a room full of electronic equipment to do all things a smartphone does! Smartphones are an excellent example of designing many functions into a single, compact design.
Connections
Connections: Math
>> Beehive Function and Design
Often, mathematical geometry can be seen in natural designs. A tessellation is a pattern in which the same shape covers a surface, such as tiles on a floor.
>> Beehive Function and Design
Often, mathematical geometry can be seen in natural designs. A tessellation is a pattern in which the same shape covers a surface, such as tiles on a floor.
Figure D.1.3.7 – Examples of tessellation tiling patterns.
Honeybees use a hexagonal tessellation pattern in the honeycombs of their hives. The functions of a beehive are to provide a safe home for bees, to provide an efficient place to produce their young, and to store nectar that will turn into their food,
which we called honey.
Because one hexagon of the honeycomb is the right size for one egg to develop into a young bee, the tiling pattern allows a large number of bees to fit into the small space of the hive. Even bees do not want to wasted time and effort, so the hexagon is better than the circle!
Obviously, honey requires a structure in which to be stored, and the bees can use one structure for multiple functions.
Because one hexagon of the honeycomb is the right size for one egg to develop into a young bee, the tiling pattern allows a large number of bees to fit into the small space of the hive. Even bees do not want to wasted time and effort, so the hexagon is better than the circle!
Obviously, honey requires a structure in which to be stored, and the bees can use one structure for multiple functions.
Figure D.1.3.8 – Honeycomb is an example of a tessellation in nature.
Figure D.1.3.9 – Were the design of these storage units copied from nature?
Watch More
Incredible Natural Designs
Some structures and inventions designed by humans were inspired by amazing and effective designs that exist in nature. To take advantage of incredible natural designs, sometimes you have to give close attention to the details in nature!
Some structures and inventions designed by humans were inspired by amazing and effective designs that exist in nature. To take advantage of incredible natural designs, sometimes you have to give close attention to the details in nature!
Watch this video to learn more about how bees design honeycombs for specific functions.
Did you know that the invention of Velcro was inspired by nature? Watch this video to learn the story of how Velcro was invented.
Biomicicry
Natural designs often lead to interesting tools and inventions for structural designers. For example, the giant blue morpho butterfly looks very blue, but if you put the wings under a microscope, you would not see any blue at all. That is because the blue colour comes from the special way that tiny structures covering the surface of the wings reflect light. Knowing this has helped engineers design new coatings that produce very attractive colour effects without using any paint.
Make sure you have understood everything in this lesson. Use the Self-Check below, and the Self-Check & Lesson Review Tips to
guide your learning.
Unit D Lesson 3 Self-Check
Instructions
Complete the following 6 steps.
Don't skip steps – if you do them in order, you will confirm your
understanding of this lesson and create a study bank for the future.
- DOWNLOAD the self-check quiz by clicking here.
- ANSWER all the questions on the downloaded quiz in the spaces provided. Think carefully before typing your answers. Review this lesson if you need to. Save your quiz when you are done.
- COMPARE your answers with the suggested "Self-Check Quiz Answers" below. WAIT! You didn't skip step 2, did you? It's very important to carefully write out your own answers before checking the suggested answers.
-
REVISE your quiz answers if you need to. If you answered all the questions correctly, you can skip this step. Revise means to change, fix, and add extra notes if you need to. This quiz is NOT FOR MARKS, so it is perfectly OK to correct
any mistakes you made. This will make your self-check quiz an excellent study tool you can use later.
- SAVE your quiz to a folder on your computer, or to your Private Files. That way you will know where it is for later studying.
- CHECK with your teacher if you need to. If after completing all these steps you are still not sure about the questions or your answers, you should ask for more feedback from your teacher. To do this, post in the Course Questions Forum, or send your teacher an email. In either case, attach your completed quiz and ask; "Can you look at this quiz and give me some feedback please?" They will be happy to help you!
Self-Check Time!
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Self-Check Quiz Answers
Click each of the suggested answers below, and carefully compare your answers to the suggested answers.
If you have not done the quiz yet – STOP – and go back to step 1 above. Do not look at the answers without first trying the questions.
Function is the purpose or the use of a design.
The function of a structure is important because the design of the structure must match its purpose. For example, if you design a backpack to carry books, you must ensure that the backpack is large enough to hold the books and that the it is
made from a strong fabric that will not tear easily from the weight of the books.
Some functions of a car are transportation, storage, and shelter. Cars have wheels, a motor system, and a lightweight shell design so they can move quickly along roads. Most cars are designed to have a trunk and compartments for storage. Cars
have waterproof shell and heating systems to keep people dry and warm.
Many human structures are modelled after nature. Solar panels and umbrellas are similar to plant leaves. Velcro is designed to function as burrs. “Geckskin” is similar to gecko feet. Some cars are designed similar to boxfish or beetles.
When a building is said to be aesthetically pleasing, it is considered to be attractive, which likely means it is beautiful and useful.