Definitions - Structural Strength and Stability

These are the current definitions that you should be studying.  Updated March 10th.

 

For a digital set of flashcards, to help you study, click here.

 

Force A push or pull that could cause motion.  Measured in Newtons (N)
Mass Structure A structure that is made by the piling up of materials.
Frame Structure A type of structure in which a skeleton of materials supports the weight of the other parts.
Shell Structure A type of structure that obtains its strength from a thin, carefully shaped outer layer of material that requires no internal frame.
Manufactured Structure An object or a structure that is made by humans.
Natural Structure An object or structure that is not made by humans.
Column A vertical support.
Beam A horizontal support.
Laminate A material made by pressing or gluing layers of materials together.
Corrugated A layered material in which the middle is folded into a series of triangles to provide extra strength.
Properties The characteristics of materials.
Composite Material A material made up of different materials, with different properties, to fulfil a specific purpose.
Mobile Joint A joint that is designed to allow movement.
Rigid Joint A joint designed to hold an object in place.
Adhesive A sticky substance that is used to hold objects or materials together.
Mass The amount of matter in a substance.
Weight The force of gravity exerted on a mass.
Structural Efficiency The mass a structure can hold divided by the mass of the structure.
Load A force or weight on an object or structure.
Live Load The force or forces that act in or on a structure but are not part of the structure.
Dead Load The weight of a structure upon itself.
External Force The forces applied on a structure.
Internal Force The forces present inside the materials of the structure.
Tension Force A force that pulls on a material and stretches it apart.
Tensile Strength A measure of the largest tension force that a material can withstand before changing shape or breaking apart.
Compression Force A force that compacts or squeezes a material.
Compressive Strength A measure of the largest compression force that a material can withstand before changing shape or breaking apart.
Torsion Force A force that acts on a material by twisting its ends in opposite directions.
Torsion Strength A measure of the largest torsion force that a material can withstand and still be able to return to its original shape.
Shear Force A force that bends or tears a material by pushing parts in opposite directions.
Shear Strength A measure of the largest shear force that a material can withstand before tearing apart.